Tales from a NICU Journal, week thirteen of thirteen.

Benjamin's Journey: Coming Home After NICU

After months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), we finally received the news we had been longing for—Benjamin was ready to come home. His progress over the past weeks had been nothing short of incredible, and we couldn’t be prouder of how far he has come.

Breathing Independently 24/7

Benjamin has made remarkable strides with his breathing support and is now able to breathe completely on his own, 24 hours a day. This was a huge milestone for him, and seeing him take each breath independently fills us with immense joy and relief.

Progress with Oral Feeds

Another major achievement has been his ability to take milk from a bottle. After being tube-fed for three months, it was astonishing to witness his instinctive ability to suck and swallow return so naturally. The resilience of babies is truly incredible, and Benjamin continues to amaze us every day.

Overcoming Feeding Challenges

This week, he underwent a video X-ray to ensure he was swallowing safely. The results showed that some milk was entering his airway, so we’ve been advised to thicken his feeds to make swallowing easier and safer. While it’s another adjustment, we are confident that this small change will help him continue to thrive.

The Final Test Before Discharge

One of the last hurdles before going home was monitoring his blood sugar levels. He had been experiencing occasional low blood sugar, so the final test involved a six-hour fast with hourly blood sugar checks. Each reading was nerve-wracking, but he passed with flying colours! With that, we finally received the go-ahead for discharge.

The Moment We Had Been Waiting For

We spent the entire day eagerly awaiting the discharge letter, and at 7:30 PM, it was finally in our hands. Walking out of the NICU with Benjamin was a surreal experience—it almost felt like we were sneaking him out! The incredible NICU staff gave us a heartwarming send-off, and then, just like that, we were on our way home.

A New Beginning

As we placed Benjamin in the car for the very first time, we realised he had never felt fresh air on his face. The one-hour drive home was quiet—he didn’t make a sound. It was a moment of reflection, gratitude, and relief.

We know that this is just the beginning of a longer journey, with ongoing medical care and treatments ahead. However, bringing Benjamin home was a milestone we will never forget. We are endlessly thankful for the dedicated doctors, nurses, and medical teams who made this moment possible.

For now, we are simply savoring the joy of being home together as a family.