The Austprem playgroup will start in less than two weeks, and organisers hope to provide a social outlet for premature children and support for their parents.

Central Victorian Austprem representative Amanda Lonergan has co-ordinated the playgroup and is well equipped to talk about the needs of premature children.

Each of her five children - Jess, Millie, Connor, Liam and Imogen - were born prematurely.

Now 14 years old, Millie was the earliest, born at 30 weeks. The youngest sibling, Imogen, was not much bigger than her favourite pink teddy bear when she was born eight weeks premature.

Mrs Lonergan said in their first two years, premature babies often fell behind their peers in terms of development. "If they are born eight weeks early, they are only at newborn stage when they are two months old." Ms Lonergan said the new playgroup would help them mix with others at the same level.

But she said one of the most important aspects of the new playgroup would be family support."It is daunting for some parents . . . especially now some babies are being saved from 24 weeks.

"(If you are from the country) you have to leave your baby in Melbourne; you haven't got any hands-on time with them."After a premature baby comes home from hospital, there are other ongoing problems, she said.

"There are no clothes for prem babies, it is hard to find nappies to fit, and our children were even too small to fit legally into car seats."The new playgroup will cater for children aged up to five, and will be held monthly at the YWCA in Townsend Street.

The first session will be held on June 16, from 10 am.