A Month in the NICU: Kahlil’s Story

Kahlil was born at 33 weeks and spent 31 days in the NICU. His early arrival was due to rising blood pressure—something I didn’t realize was becoming dangerous until my amazing doctor caught it just as it started. I was supposed to be monitored, but when my OB walked in with my nurse and said, “It’s time,” everything moved fast. I’m so grateful for a team that was paying close attention. They truly saved us both.

From the moment Kahlil arrived, everything shifted. On his first day, he needed oxygen, but miraculously, he was able to come off it the very next day. We were fortunate—no infections—but he did need phototherapy for jaundice, and feeding didn’t come easy.

He struggled with bottle feeding, tiring out quickly and needing a lot of support to improve. Just when I thought we were almost at the finish line, he had a desaturation (dsat) episode before discharge. It was a reminder that in the NICU, progress can come with small setbacks.

The late-night visits were some of the hardest. I was trying to care for two homes, my other children, and myself—while my heart lived in a plastic crib under monitors and soft blue lights. I’d show up late at night, exhausted and stretched thin, but being there brought me peace.

I’ll always be grateful for the night shift nurses. That’s who I saw the most. They didn’t just care for Kahlil—they cared for me. Their warmth and reassurance got me through some of the longest nights of my life.

If you’re reading this while your baby is still in the NICU, please know this: Hold on. Your baby will be home soon. Keep loving on them through the tubes, wires, and beeps. You’re doing better than you think, and your baby feels your love—even when you’re not in the room. - NICU mama, Shaan