GFCNI

GFCNI Connecting the world for newborn health! We represent the patient and parent voice in the global arena, transcending country borders and continents.

Connecting the world for newborn health, we at the Global Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants (GFCNI) envision a future where every baby born receives the right care, at the right time, in the right place! The Global Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants (GFCNI) works to improve newborn health by advocating for high-quality, accessible, and equitable care, long-term follow-up, and cont

inuing care for both mother and infant in each region of the world. Our particular focus is on infants born too soon, too small, or too sick – those who need special medical care and hospitalization after birth. GFCNI is the first global organization and network to unite patients, families, healthcare professionals, medical staff, and scientists from different disciplines, fields, and countries – all with the joint goal of advancing the health and quality of care for newborns and their families across the globe. We envision a future where every baby born receives the right care, at the right time, in the right place!

❓ 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐔 𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐲 𝐠𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞?This is one of the questions that many NICU parents ask: “When can we finally take our b...
22/06/2026

❓ 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐔 𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐲 𝐠𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞?

This is one of the questions that many NICU parents ask: “When can we finally take our baby home?” 💜

It’s normal to feel excited, anxious, and overwhelmed about this transition. After spending days, weeks, or even months in the NICU, the idea of going home can feel wonderful and scary at the same time. The good news is that your baby’s healthcare team will work closely with you to help prepare both you and your baby for this important step. ✨

🏡 How do doctors decide when a baby is ready to go home?
Before discharge, the NICU team will make sure that your baby:
🔹 No longer needs hospital care
🔹 Is feeding well and growing steadily
🔹 Can stay warm on their own
🔹 Has reached the weight and developmental milestones needed for discharge
🔹 Can breathe on their own, sometimes with the help of oxygen

💡 Good to know:
Some babies may still need extra support, follow-up appointments, or specialized care at home. If so, your healthcare team will explain everything you need to know and help you feel confident caring for your baby. 💕

👶 When exactly will my baby be ready to go home?
The timing is different for every baby. Some preterm babies are ready to go home before their due date, while others need to stay a little longer.

For babies who were born full-term but needed NICU care because of illness or complications, discharge depends on their recovery and individual medical needs.

What matters most is not a specific date, but whether your baby is healthy, growing, feeding well, and medically stable. 🌱

💭 What if I don’t feel ready?
Many parents feel nervous about leaving the NICU, especially after getting used to having monitors and healthcare professionals nearby around the clock. These feelings are very normal and common.

Before discharge, your baby’s healthcare team will help you learn the skills you need and make sure you know where to find support once you are home. If there is anything you feel unsure about, speak openly with your NICU team. No question is too small, and they want you to feel confident taking this important next step. 🤝

👉 Did you feel ready when your baby came home from the NICU?

21/06/2026

June 21 marks the official start of winter in Brazil.❄️

is already circulating, and respiratory infections are rising across the country.

For babies — especially those born too soon — protection matters now.

Together, GFCNI and Associação Brasileira de Pais de Bebês Prematuros - ONG Prematuridade.com are raising awareness across seasons and continents to help protect little ones from RSV.💙

👉 Learn more and share with families who may need this:
RSV e recém-nascidos – O que todos os pais precisam saber



************************************************************
21 de junho marca o início oficial do inverno no Brasil.❄️

O já está circulando, e as infecções respiratórias estão aumentando em todo o país.

Para os bebês — especialmente os que nasceram prematuros — a proteção é essencial agora.

Juntas, GFCNI e Associação Brasileira de Pais de Bebês Prematuros - ONG Prematuridade.com promovem conscientização em diferentes estações e continentes para ajudar a proteger os pequenos contra o VSR💙

👉 Saiba mais e compartilhe com famílias que possam precisar:
RSV e recém-nascidos – O que todos os pais precisam saber

17/06/2026

𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 – especially when it comes to receiving psychological support in hospitals.

“There is a need for higher-quality medical equipment, the presence of parents, and more welcoming hospital environments.”

Ľubica Kaiserová from Malíček, podporujeme rodiny s predčasne narodenými deťmi shares how shortages of qualified healthcare professionals and limited psychosocial support affect families – and why 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

By learning from how others address similar challenges around the world, 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 – 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫. 🌍💜

🎥 This video is part of 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐅𝐂𝐍𝐈, highlighting solutions from our global network that others can learn from and adapt.

🎉 Unsere Aktion „Starker Start für kleine Wunder“ ist gestartet! 💜Gemeinsam mit Kliniken in Deutschland, Österreich und ...
16/06/2026

🎉 Unsere Aktion „Starker Start für kleine Wunder“ ist gestartet! 💜

Gemeinsam mit Kliniken in Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz unterstützen wir auch in diesem Jahr Aktionen rund um den Welt-Frühgeborenen-Tag am 15. November.

🎯 Unser Ziel: Die Bedürfnisse und Herausforderungen frühgeborener Kinder und ihrer Familien sichtbar machen. Denn jedes frühgeborene Kind verdient einen starken Start ins Leben, und jede Familie Aufmerksamkeit, Unterstützung und Verständnis.

🎁 Teilnehmende Stationen erhalten wieder liebevoll zusammengestellte Aktionspakete für die Station und die Eltern sowie die Möglichkeit, Teil unserer Mitmach-Aktion zu werden.

📢 Alle Infos zur Anmeldung, zu den Paketen und Materialien zum Download finden Sie auf unserer Kampagnenseite. Dort erfahren Sie auch, warum unser Projekt jetzt „Starker Start für kleine Wunder“ heißt und weshalb der Welt-Frühgeborenen-Tag künftig am 15. November stattfindet: https://www.gfcni.org/campaigns/starker-start

🤝 Ein herzliches Dankeschön an Nestlé Nutrition Institute für die Unterstützung und das gemeinsame Engagement für frühgeborene Kinder und ihre Familien!

Zusammen möchten wir auch in diesem Jahr den Allerkleinsten, ihren Familien und dem Klinikpersonal ein Lächeln schenken.💜

➡️ Hier geht's direkt zur Anmeldung: https://www.gfcni.org/campaigns/starker-start/anmeldung

💬 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤: 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧Early intervention refers to specialized programs and services that support babies...
15/06/2026

💬 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤: 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Early intervention refers to specialized programs and services that support babies and young children who are at risk for developmental delays or disabilities. For preterm and sick newborns, it can help identify challenges early and provide support during a critical period of growth and development. 💜

💡 Good to know:
The first years of life are a time of rapid brain development. Early intervention combines professional support with activities that families can do at home to help their child learn, grow, and thrive. 🌱

👩‍⚕️ Who may be involved?
Depending on your child’s needs, support may come from physical, occupational, developmental, or language and speech therapists, as well as follow-up healthcare teams.

These professionals work with you to support your child’s development and address concerns early on.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 What can families do?
Parents and caregivers play an important role. Simple, everyday activities can have a significant impact on your child’s development. These activities include:
💙 Talking, singing and reading together
💙 Skin-to-skin contact, cuddling, and bonding
💙 Baby massage, after receiving appropriate guidance
💙 Tummy time when your baby is awake and ready
💙 Playing, exploring, and interacting together
💙 Limiting screen time and prioritizing face-to-face interactions

✨ Research suggests that these activities can support brain, sensory, motor, and social development and strengthen your bond at the same time. 💞

🏥 Before leaving the NICU or hospital, ask your healthcare team about developmental follow-up services or early intervention programs that may be available in your area.

💡 Good to know:
Every child develops at their own pace. Early intervention isn’t about comparing children – it’s about recognizing their individual needs and providing support early on so that every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential. 🌟

It’s out! ✨ This year’s official World Prematurity Day slogan is here: 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥. 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰-𝐮𝐩 ...
15/06/2026

It’s out! ✨ This year’s official World Prematurity Day slogan is here:

𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥. 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰-𝐮𝐩 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞!

This year’s slogan shines a light on an important message: Babies born too soon need the right support to thrive after their discharge.
Inspired by the WHO’s 2026 focus on follow-up care, the slogan highlights a reality that affects families around the world. Too many preterm babies lose their lives in the first 28 days after leaving intensive care, while many others need ongoing support for their health and development.

At the same time, follow-up care looks different around the world. Health systems, resources, and community needs vary widely, making it essential to invest in meaningful, locally tailored follow-up care programs and practices.

By combining hope with a clear call to action, this slogan reminds governments, healthcare professionals, advocates, and families that investing in follow-up care is investing in the future of babies born too soon.💜

📅 November 15 – 5 months to go until WPD 2026
💜 Mark the new date and join us!

❓ 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐔?When your baby is in the NICU, it is completely normal to wonder how to bon...
08/06/2026

❓ 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐔?

When your baby is in the NICU, it is completely normal to wonder how to bond in such a medical environment. The monitors, incubators, and other medical equipment can make you feel unsure about your role. However, even small moments of connection matter deeply. 💜

Babies, including those born preterm or sick, recognize and respond to their parents’ presence. Through touch, voice, smell, and closeness, parents and babies begin to build a relationship that helps babies feel safe, comforted, and loved – an important basis for long-term mental health. 💞

This kind of emotional connection is sometimes called “attunement”: noticing your baby’s cues and responding with care, comfort, and sensitivity. ✨

There are many ways to connect with your baby in the NICU:

🔹 Skin-to-skin care ( ) 🤱
Holding your baby skin-to-skin can support bonding while helping stabilize your baby’s breathing, heart rate, and temperature.

🔹 Trusted voices 🎶
Talking, reading, or singing softly to your baby can be calming and reassuring.

🔹 Gentle touch 🖐️
A still, comforting touch, such as resting your hands gently on your baby or offering a finger to hold, can help your baby feel secure.

🔹 Learning your baby’s cues 👀
Over time, parents often become experts in understanding their baby’s signs of comfort or stress.

🔹 Being involved in care 👶
Diaper changes, feeding, mouth care, bathing, and simply being present by the bedside are all ways to participate in your baby’s daily care and strengthen your bond.

💡 Connection does not need to be perfect!
Every small interaction helps build trust, comfort, and closeness over time. Even on difficult days, your presence matters more than you may realize. 💗

🌟 As Infant Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 highlights the importance of attunement and early emotional connection, it is important to remember that even small moments of comfort, closeness, and connection in the NICU can support your baby’s well-being and development. 🌱

📣 We’re proud to share that GFCNI founder and chairwoman Silke Mader will participate as a panelist in the upcoming WHO ...
02/06/2026

📣 We’re proud to share that GFCNI founder and chairwoman Silke Mader will participate as a panelist in the upcoming WHO webinar “𝘙𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘬𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘯𝘦𝘸𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘴."

It is part of a global webinar series on the implementation of the 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝. The webinar is co-hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Pediatric Association (IPA), and the Child Health Task Force. The series aims to improve the safety and quality of care for newborns and children worldwide.

This particular session will focus on:
💙 Reducing risks for small and sick newborns.

Representing the parent and patient advocacy perspective, Silke will contribute insights on:
🔹 Involving parents as active partners in their baby’s care
🔹 Communicating patient safety measures such as hand hygiene in clear and understandable language
🔹Strengthening family-centered care to improve patient safety and outcomes

At GFCNI, we believe that safe care is built through partnership between healthcare professionals and families.

📅 Thursday, June 4, 2026
🕑 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. CEST
🔗 To register, click the link in the first comment. 👇

We look forward to this important global discussion and hope you will join us!

💬 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤: 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡The placenta is your baby’s lifeline. 🤍This temporary organ develops during pregnanc...
01/06/2026

💬 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤: 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡

The placenta is your baby’s lifeline. 🤍
This temporary organ develops during pregnancy, connecting you and your baby via the umbilical cord.

Think of it as the roots of a tree. 🌱 It anchors your baby, provides oxygen and nutrients, removes waste, and helps protect against infections.

💡 Good to know: The placenta actually belongs to your baby. During pregnancy, it takes over the roles of several vital organs, supporting your baby’s lungs, kidneys, liver, and more.

🔬 Why is placental health important?
A healthy placenta is essential for your baby’s development. If it doesn’t function properly because it’s too small, too large, or not working efficiently, it can increase the risk of complications, including growth restriction, preterm birth, or stillbirth.

Globally, around 2 million stillbirths occur each year, and placental conditions play a significant role in this statistic. It’s estimated that at least 17% of stillbirths are linked to abnormally small placentas.

💡 Important to know:
Changes in the placenta can happen before changes in your baby’s growth are visible, making it an early warning sign.

👩‍⚕️ How can placenta measurement help?
Placental health isn’t routinely examined in detail. Standard ultrasounds usually examine location rather than size or function.

A simple method called Estimated Placental Volume (EPV) can estimate placental size. It’s quick and non-invasive, and it may help identify babies who need closer monitoring – especially toward the end of pregnancy, when your baby’s needs are greatest.

🚗 You can think of it as driving without a gas gauge: without monitoring the placenta, problems may develop without clear warning signs.

💜 June 1 is Placenta Health Awareness Day.
The date (6/1) reflects the ideal fetal-placental weight ratio of 6:1 at term, which is a powerful reminder of how closely linked your baby’s health is to the placenta. ✨

To learn more, follow our partner Measure the Placenta.

Today is the , a day to celebrate the care, dedication, and unconditional love that parents bring to their children’s l...
01/06/2026

Today is the , a day to celebrate the care, dedication, and unconditional love that parents bring to their children’s lives every single day. 💙

Parenting is one of the world’s most important roles, yet many parents still lack the time, resources, and support they need to thrive. For parents of preterm or sick newborns, the journey can be especially overwhelming. NICU families often face uncertainty and emotional stress, while spending long days beside their baby’s hospital bed.

✨ During these times, compassionate support and family-centered care can make a meaningful difference for babies and their families.

Parental involvement plays a vital role in every child’s emotional well-being, development, and future. By supporting parents, we help build healthier beginnings and brighter futures for every child. 🌱👶

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