World Prematurity Day: Montreal-area mom creates a journal for parents of preemies, dedicated to her daughter

November 17 marks ‘World Prematurity Day,’ and approximately 15 million babies are born preterm each year – that’s one in 10 of all the babies born worldwide. Montreal-area mom Dounia Berrada’s daughter Alya was one of those preemies – now a healthy three-year old.

“Three years ago, I gave birth to a little girl at only 24 weeks and she was very tiny, only 650 grams. And I didn’t know if she was gonna make it.”

With no spaces left in Montreal’s NICUs at the time Berrada gave birth to her daughter Alya, she was forced  to relocate two hours away from home. She spent five months in hospital – away from family and friends, but Berrada is so thankful for the care Alya received.

“As soon as we got out, I knew I had to do something to give back.”

Berrada is also the co-founder  of the “Un jour à la Fois” or One Day at a Time Foundation. She’s put together a journal to help provide support to parents of premature babies – all based on her own experience with a preemie.

“It’s between a medical tool and a personal diary,” she said.

Launched in May 2021, along side her twin sister, the journals are for parents to fill its pages with notes, keep track of their little one’s progress, include photos, and jot down thoughts.

“They can use this as a tool, you know, and look back at it later on in their kids journey and tell them, ‘see, you know, this is what we went through as a family and we’re so proud of you.’ And, you know, it’s like raising little champs.”

The mom says her daughter has taught her so much, even at such a young age. “When I have a bad day, you know, I just look at her and everything goes away.”

More than 400 journals have already been distributed to NICU’s across Quebec, with many parents grateful and fulfilling the foundation’s message of hope: taking it one day at a time.

“Every day I get calls from nurses at the hospital saying that, you know, they wish I could see the reactions on parents faces when they give them the journals. They are also very touched because it comes from a person that went through the same thing.”

Berrada’s advice to parents going though a similar experience she and Alya went through: “The sun will shine, I promise. And they will soon, soon be home – making memories with their with their babies. So hang in there.”

For more on Un jour à la Fois’ journals, check out their website.