Groote Schuur Hospital commemorated World Prematurity Day on Tuesday with special treats for the moms of premature babies.
Bakery owner Desire Dasopatis donated gift hampers for the mothers that included baby journals and pens, a crocheted octopus, sweet treats and breastfeeding biscuits, nappies and toiletries.
Ms Dasopatis also donated cupcakes and sachets of hot chocolate to each nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Ms Dasopatis said she had done it in memory of her own twins whom she lost at 19 weeks.
Hospital spokesman Alaric Jacobs said one in seven babies were born premature in the country and the hospital saw around 600 preemie babies a year.
Dr Liesl le Roux, from the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit, said they put a lot of effort into getting the babies to healthy discharge weight.
“They get a lot of special care and they are so special to all of us, and we watch these tiny babies grow, and they stay here for two or three months, and they just climb into your heart and take over.”
Newborns Groote Schuur Trust manager Amy Mac Iver said thanked those who had supported the babies with gifts and donations.
To find out more and how to get involved, visit www.newborns.org.za or go to their Facebook page.