17/11/2025
Today on World Prematurity Day (17 November) as we shine a light on the region’s tiniest and most vulnerable babies, Proserpine couple Daisy and Brendan Smith are reflecting on their own whirlwind journey into parenthood, one that began much earlier than expected. 👶
Their first child, Oaklan James, decided he wasn’t going to wait until his due date of 17 December. Instead, the little boy made a dramatic entrance at 34 weeks and 4 days, arriving on 9 November at 7:46am, weighing 2280 grams and measuring 45.5 centimetres long.
It was a Thursday morning on their rural property when Daisy’s waters suddenly broke while she was home alone.
Brendan, who had been out working on the farm, rushed back after her call to rush her to the Proserpine Hospital.
After initial tests, she was transferred by ambulance to Mackay Base Hospital, where the medical team hoped to delay labour.
“They gave me steroids and antibiotics because every extra day on the inside was beneficial,” Daisy said. “Plans changed four times… we just tried to stay calm.”
Three days after her waters broke, Daisy went into natural labour. Her sister and husband were beside her side in the birth suite. The moment Oaklan was placed on her chest, he let out a cry which Daisy describes as a moment of relief. But within minutes, things changed.
“He deteriorated quickly and they had to resuscitate him in the delivery room,” Daisy said. “It was terrifying. Everything happened so fast.”
With a head full of thick dark hair and a tiny button nose, baby Oaklan was admitted to the Special Care Nursery (SCN).
Daisy can smile now imagining how much hair he would have had if he’d stayed in a little longer: “If he was fully cooked, imagine it!”
Because he was born after 32 weeks, Oaklan was able to remain close to home at Mackay Base Hospital rather than being transferred to Townsville’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
He is also the second baby in the Mackay SCN to benefit from pasteurised donated human breast milk, delivered through a feeding tube until Daisy’s milk fully comes in and he can latch properly.
For Daisy and Brendan, the days that followed have been a blur of emotion, exhaustion and gratitude.
“It’s so hard to leave the hospital and leave your baby behind,” Daisy said. “I visit him three times a day for cuddles and to help with his care. We’re lucky to be able to stay close by.”
The couple has leaned heavily on their families — from caring for the farm’s sugar cane, cows and horses, to supporting them emotionally while they navigate their first days as parents.
Oaklan is Daisy’s mum’s fourth grandchild and Brendan’s parents’ first grandbaby, making his early arrival even more special.
Despite the stress, Daisy says the hospital staff have been “wonderful”.
“They’ve made us feel confident about going home when Oaklan is ready. For now, he’s getting the absolute best care here in the nursery.”
The new family are taking things one day and one cuddle at a time, waiting for the moment they can finally take their little boy home.
“He just didn’t want to be a Christmas bub,” Daisy said.
“We’re so proud of how strong he’s been and how well he is doing now.”
Last year the Mackay Base Hospital SCN team cared for about 350 premature and unwell newborns, some staying in nursery only a few days and others for months.
On World Prematurity Day we extend enormous thanks to all our SCN team.
Thank you for your steady hands, warm smiles and compassionate hearts which help guide families through this uncertainty. 🥰
