Josephine Rose McGillicuddy was born at 1:30 a.m. on Jan. 1
Credit: Courtesy Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital
NEED TO KNOW
- Baby Josephine Rose McGillicuddy was born prematurely at 33 weeks on Jan. 1 at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital
- She spent two weeks in the NICU receiving specialized care to help her breathe, gain weight and stabilize her temperature
- Her parents say she is thriving at home and praised the NICU team for their incredible care and support
After making history earlier this year as a California hospital's first baby of 2026, one baby is finally back home and thriving.
Josephine Rose McGillicuddy was born at 1:30 a.m. on Jan. 1, arriving at 33 weeks in the San Manuel Maternity Pavilion at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital.
Baby Josephine was shortly transferred into the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to receive support and specialized care due to her early arrival, according to an article on the hospital's website.
"Some of the biggest challenges in the initial period is trying to make sure that they are breathing on their own,” says Nicole Kraus, DO, neonatologist and medical director of the NICU at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital.
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"A couple of things are involved, including lung immaturity and whether they have enough surfactant to keep their lungs open and working properly,” she continues. “Sometimes they also forget to breathe because their nervous systems are still developing.”
Two weeks later, baby Josephine was finally given the green light to go home after reaching important milestones like the ability to breathe on her own, steadily gain weight and maintain a stable body temperature.
Credit: Courtesy Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital
Since returning home, Josephine's parents say that their little girl is growing "stronger every day."
"We are so thankful for the incredible care Josephine received from the NICU team,” her parents told the hospital in March. “Seeing her grow bigger and stronger every day has been amazing, and we are so happy to finally bring our baby girl home.”
Credit: Courtesy Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital
Kraus added that the little girl was "such a rockstar and a fighter" during her time in the NICU.
"Watching babies like her grow stronger every day and reach the point where they can finally go home with their families is incredibly rewarding for our entire NICU team."
Read the full article here
