Parents of premature babies helped by specialist firm (From The Argus)

Parents of premature babies helped by specialist firm

8:39am Wednesday 20th June 2007 in

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Having a baby that fits in the palm of your hand can leave parents with some difficult questions.

Apart from worrying about their son or daughter's well-being, they have to deal with a world that seems to have been designed for a much bigger child.

Parents of premature babies can find it near impossible to find clothing, nappies and equipment small enough to fit and often resort to buying dolls' clothes.

Now a Portslade company is offering an alternative.

Lilimay Baby at 11 North Street specialises in products especially designed for babies who are as light as 1lb.

The 4,500 sq ft showroom has just opened and has almost everything a premature mum and dad could need.

Klyve Dawson, 44, who runs the business with his wife Tess, 39, said: "My brother's first child was premature and they couldn't find clothes anywhere, which has driven us to provide a service for other parents."

Mrs Dawson said since the birth of their niece Jenna, who weighed just 4lb, a number of their friends have had premature children. She said: "It is such a stressful time for parents and we should support their requirements as much as possible.

"Our clothing starts at one to two pounds, which is tiny. Most dolls you find in places like Toys R Us are almost normal baby sized. These are weeny."

Some of the clothing, made in England by Tiny Dee, is designed for incubators and has holes for the tubes.

The shop also stocks inserts to help small babies fit in car seats.

Mrs Dawson, who has five children aged 19, 18, eight, four and 11 months, said: "Most hospitals won't let you leave without a car seat for your baby. If you have got a tiny baby, it won't fit."

None of the Dawsons' children were premature, although one was on the small side.

Often doctors do not expect a child to be premature and do not know why it has happened so it can be a surprise for parents.

Dolls' clothes are not designed to be worn by people and can be made of cheap materials or do not pass clothing safety standards.

Mrs Dawson said: "There are very few places that specialise in premature equipment. It is impossible to find. It is such a shame because it is something that affects so many people.

"When you start talking to people, it is amazing how many people know someone who had a premature baby."

Lilimay Baby, which also sells normal sized baby clothes made from natural fabrics, stocks organic and ecological disposable nappies, cots, pushchairs and nursery gates.

Parents can set up a baby gift list and can have all their goods kept at the shop and delivered once the baby is born.

The shop offers gift wrapping and sells designer Storksac baby bags, a brand that has been photographed being used by Brad Pitt.

Find out more at www.lilimay.com The Dawsons run an online wool shop called Angel Yarns.

Was your baby born premature? Tell us your stories below.