Little Steps Premmies

Little Steps Premmies Little Steps supports parents of preterm babies through their NICU journey & beyond. Support for parents with preterm infants. Parenting workshops and articles.

We offer trusted guidance, emotional support & evidence-based resources, including the book Prematurity: Adjusting Your Dreams for parents and healthcare professionals. Professional training on prematurity in South Africa.

The role of touch in brain development. Touch is one of the earliest and most powerful sensory experiences for a baby.G...
04/06/2026

The role of touch in brain development. Touch is one of the earliest and most powerful sensory experiences for a baby.

Gentle touch, holding, and cuddling stimulate neural pathways in the brain, supporting sensory integration and emotional regulation.

Babies who experience consistent, nurturing touch often show improved stress regulation and social development later on.

Simple moments, holding your baby close, gentle massage, comforting after a cry, all contribute to healthy brain growth.

Learn how everyday interactions shape development in our Little Steps book.

Understanding baby cues. Babies communicate long before they speak, through movement, facial expressions, sounds, and b...
02/06/2026

Understanding baby cues. Babies communicate long before they speak, through movement, facial expressions, sounds, and behaviour.

Recognising early hunger cues, tired signs, or overstimulation helps parents respond sooner, reducing stress for both baby and caregiver.

Over time, this builds trust and strengthens the parent-child bond.

Learning to “read” your baby isn’t instinctive for everyone, it’s a skill that can be learned.

Little Steps workshops teach parents how to identify and respond to baby cues with confidence.

Visit www.littlesteps.co.za

Why early bonding shapes emotional security.Bonding isn’t about doing “extra”, it’s about responding consistently and lo...
25/05/2026

Why early bonding shapes emotional security.

Bonding isn’t about doing “extra”, it’s about responding consistently and lovingly to your baby’s needs.

In the early months, babies learn whether the world is safe through touch, voice, eye contact, and responsiveness.

These repeated interactions help form secure attachment, which later supports emotional regulation, confidence, and healthy relationships.

Bonding doesn’t require perfection. It requires presence.

Our book explains bonding in a realistic, pressure-free way, helping parents understand what truly matters and what doesn’t.

Learn more at www.littlesteps.co.za

When bonding feels hard. Bonding doesn’t always happen instantly, and that’s normal.Birth trauma, exhaustion, anxiety,...
19/05/2026

When bonding feels hard. Bonding doesn’t always happen instantly, and that’s normal.

Birth trauma, exhaustion, anxiety, medical complications, or premature birth can make bonding feel delayed or difficult. This does not mean you’re doing anything wrong, and it does not define your relationship with your baby.

Bonding grows over time through repeated, loving interactions.

Our workshops support parents emotionally and practically, meeting you exactly where you are.

www.littlesteps.co.za

From NICU to Home – What to expect?Once home, many parents ask: “Is this normal?”We guide you through:✔ Feeding routines...
16/05/2026

From NICU to Home – What to expect?

Once home, many parents ask: “Is this normal?”

We guide you through:
✔ Feeding routines
✔ Overstimulation & calming
✔ Safe sleep for preemies
✔ When to seek help

Having a premature baby can feel overwhelming, emotional, and uncertain, but you are not alone on this journey.

Prematurity – Adjusting Your Dream by Prof. Welma Lubbe offers compassionate guidance, practical advice, and encouragement for parents navigating the realities of prematurity and NICU life.

Whether you are looking for support, understanding, or tools to help you through this season, this book was written with parents of premature babies in mind.

For deeper insight and practical support, get your copy of Prematurity – Adjusting Your Dream by Prof. Welma Lubbe or explore one of our online workshops.

Available from www.littlesteps.co.za

Sleep and awake states - recognising your baby’s sleep and awake states can make caring so much easier.States include:- ...
12/05/2026

Sleep and awake states - recognising your baby’s sleep and awake states can make caring so much easier.

States include:
- Deep sleep
- Light sleep
- Quiet alert (best time for bonding!)
- Crying or stressed

Understanding these helps with feeding, bonding and routine.

Prematurity – Adjusting Your Dream by Prof. Welma Lubbe offers compassionate, practical tips to help friends and family support parents in the best possible way.

For the full list of tips and deeper insight get the book: Prematurity - Adjusting your Dream by Prof. Welma Lubbe or take a look at one of our online workshops.

Available from www.littlesteps.co.za

Skin-to-skin = medicine for the heart and body.Benefits include:✔ Regulates baby’s breathing and temperature✔ Builds emo...
07/05/2026

Skin-to-skin = medicine for the heart and body.

Benefits include:
✔ Regulates baby’s breathing and temperature
✔ Builds emotional connection
✔ Reduces parent stress

We cover exactly how to do it safely in our workshops and book.

Feeding challenges and tips. Feeding a preterm baby can feel overwhelming. You’re not alone.Common challenges include:✔...
21/04/2026

Feeding challenges and tips. Feeding a preterm baby can feel overwhelming.

You’re not alone.

Common challenges include:
✔ Tiring quickly during feeds
✔ Difficulty latching
✔ Reflux or milk coming back up

Tips to help:
💛 Feed in a calm, quiet space
💛 Hold baby upright after feeding
💛 Watch their signals, not the clock

We guide parents step-by-step in our workshops and book.

Premature babies communicate, just differently. What may look like restlessness, fussiness, or withdrawal is often your...
14/04/2026

Premature babies communicate, just differently. What may look like restlessness, fussiness, or withdrawal is often your baby’s way of saying, “This is a bit too much for me right now.”

Learning to recognise these subtle cues can make a powerful difference, not only for your baby’s comfort, but for your confidence as a parent.

Small signs like changes in breathing, facial expressions, or body movements are all forms of communication.

When parents understand these signals, daily care becomes calmer and more connected.

This is something many parents aren’t taught, yet it’s one of the most important foundations for bonding and development.

Our book, Prematurity: Adjusting Your Dream, gently explains these cues and shows you how to respond in ways that support your baby’s growth and emotional security.

Discover more supportive tools at www.littlesteps.co.za

Address

Potchefstroom
2522

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Little Steps Premmies posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category