The Early Birth Association

The Early Birth Association makes a positive difference for babies, families and staff in Neonatal Care at the Trevor Mann Baby Unit at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, and the Special Care Baby Unit at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards

The Early Birth Association (EBA) is a support group for the parents of premature and sick babies requiring treatment in a special care baby unit (SCBU). We are based at the Trevor Mann Baby Unit at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. We collect and receive donations that are spent on the Trevor Mann Baby Unit.

The group was formed some 25 years ago with the help and advice of the Consultant Paediatrician who was very well aware of the need to offer practical help and support to parents enduring such an extremely traumatic experience. Technological advances have meant that there is a better outcome for babies, particularly those who are born prematurely. Babies born from 23 weeks gestation and weighing as little as 17oz. (half a bag of sugar) can grow and develop to become normal healthy children. Full term babies can also suffer severe problems and require intensive care.

We are all volunteers and are parents who have had experience of babies requiring specialist care. We visit the TMBU to introduce ourselves to parents and offer encouragement and hope during this very difficult time. We have also assisted in setting up a parents group called ‘Weeones’. This runs every two weeks and is for the parents and babies when they leave the hospital, to discuss and offer advice in caring for a SCBU baby.