I was born 7 weeks early weighing 4 lbs 11 oz. I'm a big boy for my age but my early arrival came as a BIG surprise to my family. At first, I had some trouble with my breathing and needed CPAP. Now I'm oxygen free, learning how to breastfeed, and drink from a bottle. It's hard to coordinate swallowing and breathing at the same time but I'm doing my best and getting stronger every day.
March 6, 2018
"I was born 4 weeks early weighing 5lbs, 1 oz. I've had problems with my kidneys that've caused me to spend my entire life in the hospital. I'm 6 months old now and my Mom & I are learning about all the special equipment and machines that I'll need when I go home. I have to have dialysis for 14 hours every day, that means that I must be connected to a machine by tubing. Im learning how to use a bottle but still get some nutrition from a feeding tube. It's hard to be attached to machines all the time but I'm still a happy girl! I love to smile and play and listen to people talk. I love spending time with my Mom and I cannot wait for the day when we can be together all the time at HOME!"
A note of advice from a GiFT Mom: Layla and Lydia were born 3 months early in July of 2017, their original due date was in October. Layla weighed 2lbs 4oz and Lydia weighed 2lbs 8oz. Other than being very tiny Layla and Lydia were completely healthy! They have spent 4 months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit under care of some of the United States best doctors and Nurses. This journey has been long and hard but it has been well worth it! As a mother of these two NICU miracles to those who are or will have to face this tuff journey, my best advice is to be involved as much as possible, communicate with doctors and nurses, listen to their advice and instructions and last but not least love on your child(ren) as hard as you possibly can because they feel that love and that's what helps them grow strong and fast!
