AUTUMN/WINTER EDITION - June 2025

FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER

As the season changes, I’ve been reflecting on the past six months since stepping into the role of General Manager at Red Tree Foundation. It’s been a time of learning, listening, and deep gratitude for the trust and openness you’ve extended to our team.

We’ve made a heartfelt commitment to strengthening the voice of lived experience in everything we do. As part of this, we warmly welcome Meisha to our team in the new role of Peer Support Work Lead. Meisha brings both professional expertise and personal insight to the role, and we’re already seeing her impact as she helps grow and guide our community of peer support volunteers.

We’re also expanding support for bereaved fathers. Through collaboration with our volunteer peer supporters and our community of dads, we’re introducing more frequent, activity-based gatherings where dads can come together with other dads that ‘get it’.

It’s been wonderful to see so many of you at our events already this year and look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events. A new gathering this year will be the Wave of Light Walk on October 15, during International Pregnancy and Infant Loss month. Adelaide Oval will be lit in Red Tree Foundation’s colours of red and white and we will come together lighting our candles at 7pm and taking a short walk in honour of all babies gone too soon.

We’d like to thank the City of Charles Sturt for their generous support as part of their Discretionary Ward Allowance. Their funding enabled the purchase of our Red Tree gazebo (which many of you saw at our Coastal Walk), as well as the installation of a memorial tree in our office. In the coming weeks, we will be inviting you to come and see the tree and beautiful crafted quilts, made by bereaved families over the past 30 years.

Thank you for being a part of this community and for allowing us to walk beside you in your grief. It remains the deepest privilege of our work to bear witness to your stories and to honour your babies and children with you.

With warmth,
Kari Langdon

FROM THE COUNSELLORS

FROM THE COMMUNITY    LIAISON MANAGER

WEAR YA' WELLIES! - Winter Campaign

 Wear Your Wellies for a Worthy Cause! 

Join us in making a splash this June and July for bereaved parents by taking part in our new "Wear Ya Wellies" Winter Campaign!

This simple but powerful gesture is all about showing support, raising awareness, and helping fund the incredible work of the Red Tree Foundation, which stands beside parents navigating the unimaginable loss of a child.

Print your Fundraising Starter Kit today and email office@redtreefoundation.org.au to register today! You can get your ChildCare Centre, Kindy, School or Workplace involved in making a 'SPLASH'

Every step you take in your wellies helps provide comfort, connection, and care for those who need it most. Because grief shouldn't be faced alone.

 Let’s turn muddy boots into meaningful action.

PD DAY - Grief and Loss for Clinicians

Our recent Professional Development Day, which focused on providing clinicians with valuable insight into grief and loss, was a resounding success. With 20 attendees participating, the event offered a rich blend of expert knowledge, practical strategies, and compassionate dialogue from those with lived experience around one of the most complex aspects of clinical care. Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the depth of information presented, the relevance to their practice, and the supportive environment that encouraged open discussion. Attendees left feeling more confident and better equipped to support clients navigating grief, highlighting the day as both professionally enriching and personally meaningful.

Feedback from attendees:

• “Wonderful. Very trauma informed and a safe environment to discuss a very raw and heavy topic.  I’m from a regional hospital so it’s been well worth my 4-hour trip to attend! Would love to collaborate.”

• “This was one of the most beneficial PD workshops I’ve ever attended.  Having those with lived experiences speak alongside professionals was a much-appreciated detail.  Thank you!”

• “The most wonderful learning opportunity I have had regarding caring for families during one of their most vulnerable times.  It has given me tools to take back to my unit to progress our care."

UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY - November 2025

2nd week of November 2025 – Date TBC.

To register your interest in attending this PD Day email Kat on office@redtreefoundation.org.au

FROM THE PEER SUPPORT LEAD

It’s been such a privilege begin in the Peer Support role here at Red Tree Foundation. I feel truly honoured to be part of such a beautiful community of families. Thank you for your kindness and patience as I’ve been settling in and for welcoming me so openly. 

In my short time here, I’ve already been touched by the strength and love that shines through in your stories and your care for one another. I’m really looking forward to continuing to build these connections whether at a support group, events, or during one of our peaceful walks through the Adelaide Botanic Gardens.

It was so lovely meeting all of the Mums who attended the Mother's Day morning tea held in May. We enjoyed a lovely morning with each of the Mums receiving a hand stitched heart and a rose as a keepsake. Also, keep an eye out for the exciting Dad's group activities to come! 

If you ever have any questions about our support groups or suggestions about how we can grow and improve our peer support services, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d love to hear from you.

Warmest regards
Meisha

peersupport@redtreefoundation.org.au
0422 229 259

FROM THE EDUCATION MANAGER

SPREADING THE SAFE SLEEP MESSAGE – One Session at a Time!

In just the first five months of this year, our Learning and Education Coordinator has delivered 30 safe sleep presentations across childcare centres and to groups of expectant parents. Through these sessions, we’ve shared our life-saving safe sleep information with 535 people and that number keeps growing!

But we’re not stopping there. Our regular Safe Sleep Saturday and Wednesday posts on social media are reaching even more families with practical, trusted tips to keep little ones safe.

Every presentation, every post, and every share helps spread the safe sleep message. Together we’re building a safer sleep environment for all South Australian babies.

BEDDING - Infant bedding in the cooler months

As winter approaches we often get asked “how many blankets will my baby need or what thickness safe infant sleep bag should I use?” Unfortunately there is no set answer! Babies, like adults, are very individual and some babies will feel the cold more than others, just like some adults feel the cold more than others!

 It is important to understand that babies don’t regulate their body temperature as well as older children and adults, and very young babies in particular are at risk of overheating if bed clothes or bedding are too warm. Overheating has been identified as a risk factor for a Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI) so we want to avoid it.

The amount of bedding needed over the winter months is very much determined by

• the temperature of the room
• what your baby is wearing
• whether your baby has a cold or infection (if they do, they may have a temperature)
• whether your baby has a special need
• your baby’s general overall health and individual characteristics

As a general rule you want to keep your little one comfortably warm, so not too hot and not too cold. To work this out feel your baby’s chest/upper tummy (core area) not hands as they will always feel cooler. Ideally you want baby’s core area feel comfortably warm to the touch.

Safe Infant Sleep Bags

In the cooler months consider transitioning to a heavier weight/ thicker safe infant sleep bag. Many bags have TOG ratings. Higher TOG rated bags are often used in the cooler months.

Blankets

In the cooler months consider using lightweight blankets in layers to allow for easier adjustment to get the best temperature. Single thicker blankets don’t allow for easy adjustment of a baby’s temperature and they may increase the risk of overheating and/or suffocation if baby gets it over their head.

Wrapping

If wrapping a baby, use a light weight breathable wrap or swaddle and adjust the type and amount of clothing baby is wearing under the wrap. You may also consider using a tucked in light weight blanket over the wrapped baby for additional warmth if needed.

Remember, each time baby’s bedding is changed baby’s temperature should be checked.

Other considerations during the cooler winter months include being mindful of the positioning of the cot/bassinette in relation to air-conditioning vents and heaters. The cot should not be positioned directly under an air-conditioning vent, as this will blow warm air directly on baby, or near a heat source as this will directly heat baby.

Safe sleep starts with you and by making a few thoughtful changes and regularly checking your baby’s temperature, you’re helping create a safe and comfortable sleep environment, even when it’s cold outside.

Please contact us for any counselling or education requirements, or visit our website at www.redtreefoundation.org.au.

Warm Regards,

The Red Tree Foundation and SIDS and Kids SA Team