Kids Pose With Photos of Themselves as Preemies to Give Parents Hope
The campaign is inspiring families to look forward to life outside the NICU.
— -- When a baby is born prematurely, terrified parents often worry for their little one's life.
But a new campaign showing now-big kids holding photos of themselves as teeny-tiny infants is meant to inspire parents to look forward to their family's life outside the NICU doors.
![PHOTO: Celine was born at 34+4 weeks weighing a little over 5 pounds.](https://s.abcnews.com/images/Lifestyle/ht_preemie_21_er_160406_4x3_992.jpg)
![PHOTO: Poppy was born at 31+3 wks weighing about 2.5 pounds.](https://s.abcnews.com/images/Lifestyle/ht_preemie_16_er_160406_16x9_992.jpg)
Started by the L'il Aussie Prems Foundation, an organization that provides support the parents of preemies and sick newborns, the #foot4prems project was launched in advance of the organization's "Wear Green for Preemies Day" on April 13. A premature baby is defined as a baby born before 37 weeks' gestation.
![PHOTO: Israel was born at 30 weeks weighing about 3.5 pounds and spent the first few years of his life in and out of hospital.](https://s.abcnews.com/images/Lifestyle/ht_preemie_10_er_160406_16x9_992.jpg)
![PHOTO: Tristan and his twin brother were born at 25 + 4 weeks due to spontaneous labour. Both boys were born alive. Tristan is now 4 years old. Heartbreakingly, his brother passed away in day four due to a grade 4 bleed on the brain.](https://s.abcnews.com/images/Lifestyle/ht_preemies_3_er_160406.jpg)
Several of the babies -- now kids -- featured thus far were born at fewer than 30 weeks' gestation, a fact hard to believe seeing them detached from tubes and out in the world.
More photos can be found on the organization's Facebook page.