As a nurse, I thought I understood hospitals, emergencies, and the fragility of life. But nothing prepared me for the moment my own baby arrived too soon.
Born weighing just 1 kilogram, my little fighter came into this world in a rural hospital with no NICU, no incubators, and no advanced equipment to keep them safe. We waited over 14 hours for an emergency rescue, praying with every breath that my baby would hold on until we reached a city hospital with proper care.
When we finally made it, the reality of NICU life hit hard — wires, machines, alarms, and bills that felt impossible. Even with my medical background, I felt helpless, terrified, and overwhelmed.
Here are 10 things I wish I knew back then. If you’re walking this path, I hope these words give you strength and remind you that you’re not alone.
1. Every Gram is a Miracle
When your baby starts at 1kg, every gram gained feels like a celebration. I remember the day my baby gained 50 grams — I cried like I’d won a lottery. Celebrate those small victories.
2. Delayed Doesn’t Mean Denied
I used to worry so much about milestones — sitting, crawling, walking. Preemies do things in their own time. And when they do, it feels even sweeter.
3. Skin-to-Skin is Pure Magic
The first time they let me hold my baby against my chest, it was like the world stopped. Kangaroo care isn’t just science — it’s love, and it works wonders.
4. Feeding Will Test Your Patience
From tube feeds to slow bottle feeds, I had moments I wanted to give up. But every drop matters. Progress may be slow, but it’s progress.
5. The Bills Will Scare You — But Love is Priceless
I won’t lie — the hospital bills almost broke us. But somehow, with faith and the support of my family and partner, we made it. And no amount of money compares to holding your baby in your arms.
6. You’ll Be Protective — And That’s Okay
I became obsessed with germs. I said no to visits, and sometimes people didn’t understand. But I learned: protecting your baby is more important than pleasing others.
7. You’ll Speak a New Language
CPAP, oxygen saturation, bradycardia — these terms terrified me at first. But soon, they became part of my daily vocabulary. Knowledge will give you confidence.
8. Your Feelings Are Valid
Fear, guilt, exhaustion — I felt them all. Some days, I cried more than I slept. But that didn’t make me a bad mother; it made me human. Mama, it’s okay to feel everything.
9. You Are Your Baby’s Voice
There were times I had to push for answers and repeat questions. Advocate for your baby. No one knows them better than you.
10. Your Baby is a Fighter — and So Are You
When I look at my little miracle today, I see strength I didn’t know existed. And mama, you have that same strength too.
If you’re reading this in the NICU or sitting next to your baby’s incubator, please hear me: You will get through this. You are not weak. You are not alone. You are a warrior — and so is your baby.
Even as a nurse, I learned that strength isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about never giving up on your miracle.
What’s one thing you wish someone told you during your NICU journey? Share your story in the comments. It might give another mama hope today.
With all my heart,
💖 A nurse. A mama. A believer in miracles.
#TinyMiraclesMama
tinymiraclesmama.com 