Improves the daily life of premature babies and their families
Association "Un petit plus"
The "Un petit plus" association is a non-profit organization. Founded in 2004 by the entire medical and paramedical staff of the Neonatal and Neonatal Intensive Care units in Chambéry.
The little extra
Its purpose is to improve the comfort and environment of hospitalized newborns on one hand, and the reception of their families on the other.
The association's name is very fitting as it helps fund the "little extras" in these families' daily lives, which are not funded by the hospital service.
Today led by 20 members including president Ludivine Decottignies (pediatric nurse since 2007), many projects come to life thanks to the generosity of families, external donations, and also through actions carried out by association members such as creating and selling recipe books, calendars, bake sales, Christmas markets, etc.
"We take to heart bringing a little extra to families' difficult daily lives" Ludivine Decottignies, Director of the "Un petit plus" Association
Premature and very premature babies
A child is considered premature if born before 8 and a half months of pregnancy. There are 3 levels of prematurity:
- Moderate prematurity: Birth between 32nd and 36th weeks of amenorrhea.
- Extreme prematurity: Birth between the 28th and 32nd weeks of amenorrhea.
- Very extreme prematurity: Birth between 24 and 28 weeks of amenorrhea.
When a premature, very premature, or extremely premature baby is born, they will stay at least until their expected due date (EDD), which is an average of 5 months; plus an additional period to ensure that this little baby can grow peacefully.
Note that the unit also welcomes full-term babies who have health issues at birth.
The Chambéry maternity ward is one of the few Type III maternity units in France. This means it handles both normal pregnancies and those with pathologies, as well as deliveries.
It also includes a neonatal and neonatal intensive care unit. It is therefore a maternity unit that cares for very premature babies, which is not the case for all maternity units. Children from throughout the region who are born prematurely and/or need intensive care are transferred to this care unit in Chambéry. Note that approximately one child per day is admitted and about 350 babies are in the services throughout the year.
Why did Trois Kilos Sept choose this association?
As a childcare specialist, our company is based in Savoie; we have therefore chosen to support a human-scale association that resembles us and supports a cause close to our hearts. This association is run by healthcare staff who work daily with newborns and their parents. They understand everyone's needs and give their time to improve these families' daily lives.
After meeting with a member of the association at our premises and discussing their stories and actions, we unanimously agreed to support their actions through product donations and also through an online fundraiser that would allow them to finance and implement larger projects.
"Un petit plus" has already carried out several actions and doesn't plan to stop there:
- Funding and decoration of the department and rooms,
- Decorative arrangement of the family room,
- Manufacturing of incubator covers,
- Christmas gifts, Mother's/Father's Day gifts,
- Purchase of nursing pillows, mirrors to look at and interact with their child, and for skin-to-skin contact.
Upcoming project
Fund a secure transfer chair from the delivery room to the receiving service, where the parent can carry their child skin-to-skin with a non-invasive ventilatory assistance system.
How to make a donation?
You will find the association's logo in your cart. You can then add €1 to your cart or any amount of your choice if you wish to make a donation. Once your order is validated, you will see the donated amount on your invoice.
You can also make a donation directly to the association by contacting them via their Facebook page or by mail with your donation to the following address:
CHMS Intensive Care and Neonatal Unit
(Un petit Plus Association)
Place Lucien Biset
PO Box 31125
73011 Chambéry Cedex