Baby Safir was born at 22 weeks, weighing just 1 lb., 3 oz.
Credit: Palm Beach Health Network (2)
NEED TO KNOW
- One micropreemie, who defied all odds when he was born, is officially saying goodbye to the neonatal intensive care unit
- Born at 22 weeks, weighing only 1 lb., 3 oz., baby Safir had a long journey in the NICU
- On Tuesday, July 21, after spending 13 months in the NICU, the former micropreemie finally went home with his parents
A micropreemie who defied all odds at birth is officially graduating from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Baby Safir, who was born at 22 weeks and weighed only 1 lb., 3 oz., had a long journey in the NICU. Doctors told the new parents, Fahmida and Shaharier Islamm, that their son Safir had only a 10% chance of survival at birth. However, on Tuesday, July 21, after spending 13 months in the NICU, Safir finally went home with his parents.
“After 13 months in the NICU, watching this baby finally go home is an incredibly emotional and joyful milestone,” Renee Holloway, the director of nursing at the NICU at Palm Beach Children’s Hospital at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Florida, tells PEOPLE. “This journey reflects remarkable strength, the unwavering love of the family, and the dedication of an entire care team that never stopped believing in this day.”
She adds, “It has been an honor to be part of this baby’s story, and we are overjoyed to see this family begin their next chapter together at home.”
Credit: Palm Beach Health Network
The former micropreemie, who recently celebrated his first birthday in the hospital, had a NICU graduation ceremony, complete with his own knit cap and tassel. Dr. Anne Fischer, his pediatric surgeon, and Dr. Michael Thomas, his pediatric gastroenterologist, later reflected on his journey in the NICU.
“The tiniest fighters often leave the biggest footprints,” they tell PEOPLE. “Safir’s journey has only just begun a new chapter.”
During an interview with The Palm Beach Post, the doting parents spoke about their NICU year-long experience. Fahmida and Shaharier, who previously experienced the loss of a preemie baby boy at 8 days old, were shocked when the then-expectant mom went into labor so soon.
“Suddenly, it happened. My bleeding started, [it was] pain[ful], and he was born,” Fahmida recalled of the harrowing experience. “Today I can see him, I really don’t know.”
Echoing her sentiments, Shaharier remembered feeling hopeless when his baby boy was born so early. “When he was born, our hope [was] already gone because we thought he might not survive,” the dad of two told the outlet. “We didn’t expect that he [would] survive.”
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Over the past year, the little one has undergone multiple surgeries and faced many medical challenges. Several of the surgeries were on his stomach to help him handle food better. As for his parents, who are also raising a teenage daughter, the last 365 days have been an uphill battle as they navigated splitting his time with both of their children. However, through it all, the strength and perseverance of their son continued to give them hope.
As each day passed, Safir grew stronger and stronger, meeting every new challenge with an unyielding resistance. Among the hospital staff, baby Safir quickly became well-known for his fighting spirit.
“He’s had a very rough journey. He’s been through a lot,” said Allie Soderholm, one of baby Safir’s nurses. “He’s a fighter, obviously, as you can see.”
“He’s really a miracle. He’s just a miracle. He’s so strong,” she continued. “He just lights up the room. Every nurse, every doctor, every therapist just loves him.”
Credit: Palm Beach Health Network (2)
After entering the NICU weighing just over one lb., baby Safir is now thriving and weighs more than 8 lbs. as he leaves the hospital. For his birthday earlier this month, the hospital staff celebrated his resilience, throwing him a special first birthday party.
While a first birthday party is always a special occasion in a young child’s life, this party meant even more for Safir’s family. For the little one’s family, reaching his first birthday was a demonstration of faith and love from them and their care team.
“It’s thanks to God that saved him and thanks to St. Mary’s Hospital, doctors, nurse. They are working very, very hard. They are the best hospital,” Shaharier told the outlet. “Now we are waiting for when he will go home with us.”
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