'Miracle' babies from neonatal care to first day of school

Parents are sharing photos of their little ones marking the milestone, which is made even more incredible by the fact that the youngsters started life in neonatal care.

Many of the children were patients at the Neonates Unit at the Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) in Glasgow.

The first few days, weeks, and months of their lives were frightening and challenging for them and their families - but standing proud in their uniforms, they have shown themselves to be fighters. 

Just 24 hours after she was born, Noa from Uddingston was transferred to the RHC where she was given an operation and blood transfusions.

Noa as a baby (Image: NHSGGC)

Noa, who was born prematurely at 30 weeks, was in the RHC Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for 87 days before coming home as an early Christmas present to her mum and dad on December 18, 2018.

Now she has started school and is loving her first few days.

Noa on her first day (Image: NHSGGC)

When TJ from Airdrie was four weeks old, he spent eight weeks in the RHC when it was discovered that he had Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus.

He has since had two operations, several overnight stays and still has regular visits to the Renal Clinic and Feeding Clinic.

But TJ takes it all in his stride as he takes on his newest and most exciting challenge: school. 

TJ (Image: NHSGGC)

Jamie from Old Kilpatrick was born weighing just 1lb 8oz, but his mum says he has grown into a “fierce and confident almost 5-year-old”.

She added that he is so smart that he is likely “several years ahead academically!”

Left: Jamie as a baby and right: Jamie on his first day (Image: NHSGGC)

And when Emily, from Newton Mearns, was born in the RHC in December 2017 at 28 weeks, she weighed just 2lb 2oz.

Her parents can hardly believe that she has started primary one, and her mum said that the family is "eternally grateful" for the work the neonatal teams have done for them. 

Emily on her first day (Image: NHSGGC)

Mandy Meechan, Chief Nurse for Paediatrics at NHSGGC, said: “It feels like yesterday that we were caring for many of these children, and it is amazing to see all of them pull on their uniforms for the first time to start their first day of school.

"Parents are always delighted to share their ‘first day’ photographs to also express their gratitude to the team and the hospital. We love to hear about these family milestones.”

Janice Heggie, lead nurse for Neonates, added: “Every year we need to have the tissues ready when parents send us their ‘then and now’ photographs of kids starting their first day of school.

"We create such a special bond with the babies and the families when they are in our care, and it means so much to us that they loop back to share how well things are going. We wish all our babies the best of luck at school."