Tiny Babies

Think of that large bottle of water you guzzle while working out in the gym or that big dictionary you used as a kid. Now think of a newborn baby that weighs less than that -- and survives.

Never seen babies that small? I have, many times in the Intensive Care Nursery (ICN) at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden. The 25-bed ICN is equipped to care for babies that are born at less than 32 weeks gestation and who weigh less than 1,500 grams. The dedicated neonatologists and specialized nurses care for 400 babies annually in the ICN.

Obviously, babies stay in the ICN for weeks or months. They reside in incubators until they're big and strong enough to be transferred to other units, and later go home.

On Friday, Dec. 8, the ICN staff brought Christmas to 25 babies who couldn’t go home for the holidays during its 18th Annual Christmas Party. The babies were dressed in their Christmas finery for their first photos with Santa Claus, who took time out from his busy schedule to pay a visit to Lourdes. Family members attended as well and posed with Santa.

Santa also paid a special visit to Bryaisha Simpson, now 2 ½ years old. At 12 ounces, she was the smallest baby to be born and survive at Lourdes.

The entire scene was one of the most touching I've ever experienced. I count myself lucky to have a child who was born 7 pounds, 8 ounces, and didn't have to go through what these babies and their families do in this unit.

The photo above was from the event. Also, check out the link for a slide show from the Philadelphia Inquirer. The unit is always accepting donations of baby blankets, hats and other items. Let me know if you'd like to donate.