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Dear friends and supporters of GFCNI,
This autumn has been a remarkable season of collaboration and progress for the neonatal community. At the 6th Congress of Joint European Neonatal Societies (jENS) in Belgrade, GFCNI was proud to help shape discussions that advance high-quality, family-centered care. The energy and shared commitment among clinicians, researchers, and parent representatives were truly inspiring.
Recent scientific developments also reflect this spirit of collaboration. A new perspective on antibiotic use in the NICU underscores the importance of balancing innovation with patient safety. Meanwhile, new global reference values for nutrients in human milk mark a milestone for infant nutrition and maternal health worldwide.
Together, these efforts highlight how evidence-based practice, partnership, and compassion continue to strengthen neonatal care – ensuring that every baby, everywhere, has the best possible start in life.
With warm regards,
Silke Mader and the GFCNI team
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© GFCNI
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JOIN THE GLOBAL WPD MOVEMENT
Explore the 2025 World Prematurity Day Assets
As World Prematurity Day approaches on November 17, we are pleased to share our updated social media toolkit, offering a convenient way to access all campaign resources. The dedicated Trello board brings together a variety of communication assets to support your awareness activities, including social media messages, graphics, a press release template, and more. This year’s theme, “Give preterm babies a strong start for a brighter future,” continues to highlight our collective commitment to improving outcomes for preterm infants and their families. We are also proud to note that the World Health Assembly has now officially recognized November 17 as World Prematurity Day on the WHO calendar – a milestone that reinforces the global importance of our shared efforts.
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© GFCNI
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CONFERENCE SPOTLIGHT
GFCNI at jENS 2025: Strengthening Global Collaboration in Neonatal Care
The 6th Congress of Joint European Neonatal Societies (jENS 2025) brought together the international neonatal community in Belgrade for an inspiring week of collaboration and innovation. As a co-organizer alongside the European Society for Paediatric Research (ESPR) and the Union of European Neonatal and Perinatal Societies (UENPS), GFCNI was proud to help shape a program focused on advancing high-quality, infant- and family-centered developmental care. Our team contributed to sessions on preterm nutrition, feeding and growth, long-term outcomes, and parent engagement. The lively discussions, shared experiences, and new partnerships forged at jENS 2025 reaffirmed our collective commitment to improving outcomes for newborns and their families worldwide.
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© GFCNI
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ADVOCACY IN ACTION
Advancing RSV Advocacy while Balancing Purpose, Policy, and Wellbeing
Advocates and experts from across eight countries came together in Munich for our “Advanced Policy & Advocacy Workshop on RSV,” exploring new ways to strengthen global advocacy for RSV prevention. Over three days, participants took part in interactive sessions and group discussions focused on effective communication, sustainable policy work, and preventing burnout in advocacy. The workshop highlighted how balancing professional purpose with personal wellbeing is essential for lasting impact. Through shared learning and open dialogue, participants developed strategies to bring sustainable change to their local and national contexts.
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© Ei SMART
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NEW NETWORK MEMBER
“Ei SMART” Joins Our Global Network to Advance Early Development Care
We are pleased to welcome “Ei SMART” (Early Intervention: Sensory, Motor, Attention & Regulation, Relationships, Together) as a new member of our network. Based in the United Kingdom, Ei SMART is a holistic early intervention framework that integrates research, clinical expertise, and co-production with parents to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes for high-risk infants. The Ei SMART framework supports every aspect of a baby’s and young child’s development – from sensory and motor skills to attention, regulation, and relationships, working hand in hand with parents, recognizing them as experts in their child’s care. Ei SMART offers a clear and practical approach which addresses functional practical everyday skills with the intention to make early intervention manageable for parents and ensure every baby gets the best start in life. There is a strong focus on providing education and free resources for both families and professionals and some of the resources have been translated into 10 languages and are available free on their website. The Ei SMART’s team commitment to supporting early neurodevelopment starting in the NICU enriches our shared mission to improve outcomes worldwide.
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© Frühchen & Neokinder Schweiz
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COMMUNITY IMPACT
Peer Support Strengthens Families in Swiss Neonatal Care
Over the past three years, our Swiss partner parent organization “Frühchen & Neokinder Schweiz” (“Preemies and NICU Infants Switzerland”) has trained 81 volunteer peer parents to support families in neonatal intensive care units across Switzerland. These parents, themselves former NICU families, provide bedside visits in nine hospitals, offering empathy and encouragement. On September 13, 2025, the first national peer event brought them together to share experiences and gain professional input. Expert contributions by Professor Cornelia Hagmann and psychologist Sabine Ihle highlighted the essential role of peer work in neonatal care. Annual peer events will now strengthen this growing community and its impact on families.
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© GEHC
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UPCOMING WEBINAR
Preterm Optimization in Practice: Insights, Innovations & Realities from a UK Tertiary Centre
Join Dr. Alex Cleator, Consultant Neonatologist at Liverpool Women’s Hospital, for a live webinar on Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 10:00–11:00 AM CET (09:00–10:00 AM UK time). The session will explore evidence-based interventions for preterm optimization, strategies to build effective multidisciplinary frameworks, and real-world lessons from implementation in a leading UK tertiary center. Participants will gain practical insights into current research, teamwork, and the realities of improving outcomes for preterm infants through coordinated, evidence-driven care.
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© GFCNI
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NUTRITION
New Publication from the EndObesity Project Highlights First 1,000 Days Strategy to Prevent Childhood Obesity
The EndObesity consortium has published a landmark review synthesizing evidence on family-based lifestyle interventions from pre-conception through early childhood. The paper underscores how nutrient intake, physical activity, and early growth trajectories shape a child’s later risk of obesity – and makes clear that timely, tailored support for parents and caregivers is essential. As a project collaborator, GFCNI supports applying these insights into practical programmes that promote healthy growth trajectories in infants and families.
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© Pexels
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HUMAN MILK SCIENCE
New Global Reference Values for Human Milk Nutrients Set to Transform Infant Nutrition
The international Mothers, Infants, and Lactation Quality (MILQ) study has developed the first evidence-based reference values for nutrients in human milk, marking a major advance in global infant nutrition research. Drawing on data from healthy mother–infant pairs across four countries, the study offers a reliable benchmark to assess nutrient intake and maternal health. Findings reveal that many current nutrient recommendations may require revision, as concentrations in human milk differ from older estimates. These new reference values will enable more precise guidance for families, clinicians, and health programs working to improve maternal and child nutrition worldwide.
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© Pexels
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HEALTH SYSTEMS AND QUALITY OF CARE
Building Sustainable Systems for Maternal and Newborn Health
A recent evaluation of the WHO and UNICEF–led Quality of Care Network examined how countries can strengthen maternal and newborn health services sustainably. The study, conducted in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Malawi, and Uganda, found that strong leadership, effective partnerships, and continuous learning are key drivers of progress. Yet challenges such as weak information systems and dependency on external support persist. The findings highlight that lasting improvements depend on national ownership, reliable data, and investment in people. When health systems prioritize quality, accountability, and compassion, both families and health professionals benefit.
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© GFCNI
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TRANSLATION MILESTONE
Ukraine Advances Neonatal Care with Translation of Standards on “Follow-up and continuing care”
The Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the National Health Service of Ukraine, UNICEF, and our partner parent and patient organization “Early Birds” (Ранні пташки) have completed the translation and adaptation of the standards for “Follow-up and continuing care” into Ukrainian. The set will support healthcare professionals across maternity, perinatal, and pediatric services. The Ukrainian edition provides a key reference for the development of future guidelines, protocols, and legislation in this area. This achievement strengthens national practice, fosters capacity-building, and advances alignment with international best standards in neonatal and perinatal care.
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RESEARCH INSIGHT
Investigating Antibiotic Use in the NICU: Balancing Safety and Standards
Antibiotics are essential for protecting newborns from severe infections, yet their use in neonatal intensive care must be carefully balanced. A new perspective article by Lawrence, Wynn, Kimberlin, and Cantey examines recent calls to shorten antibiotic courses or switch early from intravenous to oral treatment. The authors caution that such approaches, often based on limited evidence, may overlook key safety concerns. Emphasizing the importance of evidence-based guidelines and parental involvement, the paper underscores that antibiotic stewardship should always prioritize patient safety while reducing unnecessary exposure in preterm and critically ill infants.
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