A silver lining was a tiny camera on the edge of their baby’s bed in the hospital. The couple could watch Caleb, from North Bay, as he slept. A highlight was seeing him wear baby clothes for the first time.

Their journey began when Kristin began to bleed at 26 weeks of pregnancy and was airlifted to Sunnybrook in January 2024. After spending two weeks in the hospital’s High Risk Obstetrics Unit, the family welcomed Caleb.

For six weeks, Kristin stayed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with Caleb, with Mike traveling to Toronto as much as he could. Then came word of a fire at their home in northern Ontario. Kirstin returned home briefly, and was thankful for the opportunity to see Caleb real-time on her laptop and phone.

“I felt connected to him. Sometimes I would pump milk, other times I would just check to see what he’s up to,” says Kristin.

The cameras were installed in Sunnybrook’s NICU last fall, through generous donations to the Sunnybrook Foundation, with a goal of improving accessibility and supporting the unit’s commitment to family-centred care.

Caleb is thriving now at home, and weighs over 20 pounds. His family are grateful for the care they received in Sunnybrook’s NICU, and say the cameras helped them to continue their strong bond with Caleb, and boost their comfort and peace of mind.

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That was Donna Loi’s first thought after her twins were born unexpectedly at 23 weeks and six days at Sunnybrook. She recalls her fear of having Davin and Dalaila so early, and of learning they were only 600 grams in weight.

“I questioned why this happened to us, to our babies. I was scared and confused about seeing all the medical equipment surrounding their little bodies in the incubators. They didn’t look like newborn babies that I was used to seeing,” says Donna.

The twins spent 132 days in Sunnybrook’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The unit cares for the highest number of ‘micropreemies’, or babies born at less than 26 weeks. About a quarter of these babies are twins.

“We have focused our care on the smallest, most premature infants for many years now because this is the most fragile population of babies and they need us the most,” says Dr. Asaph Rolnitsky, Associate Chief, Newborn and Developmental Paediatrics of the DAN Women and Babies Program.

Sunnybrook’s outcomes are the best in the country for low complication rates associated with prematurity and also high survival. But having two babies in an intensive care unit is a tough emotional journey.

“Everyone describes the NICU experience as a roller coaster ride and they’re absolutely correct. But it isn’t a smooth coaster with one high peak and drop, it’s the kind of ride that forces your butt off the seat, gives you whiplash, and leaves your hair in a complete mess,” says Donna.

Dr. Rolnitsky agrees it is often a very rocky ride for families. He has reassuring words though. “The vast majority of preterm infants survive, and thrive, and reach normal development and quality of life. Even those who face challenges,” he says. “Parents’ involvement and role in the NICU is incredibly important as they are advocates for their babies. Their meaningful interactions with their babies – time cuddling, talking, singing and just being with them helps facilitate brain development. Parents are part of the medical team.”

Donna agrees that Sunnybrook’s family centered approach helps build parents’ confidence. When the twins were stable, Donna and Daniel changed their diapers, fed them, helped administer medication and vitamins and took them out of the incubators on their own. They were also encouraged to take part in decision making. Donna adds that the NICU team was there not just for Davin and Dalaila, but for her and Daniel too.

A highlight for the parents was when the twins were stable enough to come out of the incubators for kangaroo care, when babies are held skin-to-skin on a parent’s chest. “I was able to hold both at the same time, my heart dropped. This was a tiny glimpse of what I pictured having twins would be like,” says Donna.

Now the twins are two years old, going to daycare and thriving. “We are in a different place. We’re a silly, fun and happy family, and very thankful.”

The post The smallest, most fragile babies: One family’s story of their time in the NICU appeared first on Your Health Matters.

Shylee giggles enthusiastically, surrounded by toys, as her mom packs a diaper bag. “There’s a lot to cart around when we go out – her oxygen tank is the most important,” says Shanice, who looks proudly at her daughter, who was born at 24 weeks at Sunnybrook.

The pair are on their way to see the care team at Sunnybrook’s Neonatal Follow-Up Clinic. Shylee still uses oxygen for pulmonary hypertension and continues to smile as they hop in the car. Thankfully, their commute is just a 10-minute drive to a satellite clinic which sees patients in the Peel region once a month.

“Convenience-wise, it’s absolutely incredible,” says Shanice, who lives in Brampton and is grateful to have access to a clinic so close, with the same care team she’s known since Shylee’s four-month stay in Sunnybrook’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). “The clinic has all of the same staff we’ve come to know – it’s reassuring knowing we have access to this expertise close to home.”

Baby Shylee as a patient in Sunnybrook’s NICU.

Babies like Shylee, born at less than 30 weeks, and those who had complicated stays in the NICU, are seen in person and virtually by the follow-up clinic. Two satellite clinics, in Whitby and Brampton, provide accessible care for those who don’t live close to the main hospital when it comes time for an in-person visit.

“Sunnybrook’s NICU isn’t a postal code unit,” explains Dr. Rudaina Banihani, Medical Director of the Neonatal Follow-Up Clinic and a Neonatologist and Developmental Behavioural Pediatrician. “Our NICU is a level three unit, which means we care for the most premature and sickest babies from across the province. This model of care, where babies and families are seen close to home, really sets us apart.”

The model is longstanding, with the first satellite set up in the 1990s by Dr. Elizabeth Asztalos, a neonatologist with specialty in developmental pediatrics with the DAN Women & Babies Program. Satellite clinic visits comprise roughly 20 per cent of the clinic visits each month. The care team provide routine check-ins from the time a child is discharged from the hospital up until school age. Care in the clinic focuses on supporting each child’s developmental potential, by looking closely at motor skills, communication, engagement with the environment, and other important milestones. The clinic also prioritizes overall family well-being.

Dr. Banihani is quick to note the care doesn’t replace a child’s pediatrician, who are always the first line of call for acute care issues. That said, the team consults and collaborates with other health-care professionals, such as pediatricians, to identify each child’s strengths and areas for growth.

The Dhaliwal family are big fans of the model of follow-up care. Ranvir was born at 29 weeks and is now a very active six-year-old and a “bright spirit who has so much energy.” At Ranvir’s age, visits focus on the transition to grade level schooling, learning skills and peer relationships to support academic success and enjoyment of learning, as well as friendship building.

A present-day image of Shylee.

“Relaxed, comfy and no stress – that’s what it’s like visiting the satellite clinic,” says Kiranpal, Ranvir’s mom. “I know we’re getting the developmental support we need, and it’s close to our house. For Ranvir, it’s a lot of fun as there are so many toys and he gets to play.”

The interdisciplinary team is comprised of physicians with a knowledge of neonatal and developmental care, occupational and physical therapists, speech and language pathologists, and a registered nurse. All care providers specialize in the care of preterm infants and strive to collaborate with each family.

“From feeding to sleeping to toileting, we are focused on each child’s development related to their prematurity,” adds Dr. Banihani. “It’s fulfilling to meet families at different points in their child’s journey, from the hospital to starting school and beyond.”

For kids like Shylee and Ranvir, a visit to the clinic is all about play. “It looks like a play place – it’s bright and colourful. And we get to see familiar faces who truly support and cheer us on,” says Shanice.

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What sets him apart is his start to life. Gage was born at 22 weeks and five days and spent four months in Sunnybrook’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

“It hasn’t been an easy path, but it has been so rewarding,” says Heather, Gage’s mom, who explains Gage has low vision, autism and receives therapy for mobility issues. “He has disabilities but we make the best of it and celebrate every milestone.”

Dr. Eugene Ng, Medical Director of the NICU at Sunnybrook, is on the frontline when an extremely premature baby is about to be born. “Caring for a micro-preemie like Gage draws in a whole support from the inter-professional team so we can ensure the best possible outcomes for these infants,” says Dr. Ng. “For example, we give steroids to the mothers at the right time, to help babies’ lungs develop, which helps reduce the risk of serious complications and death. One of the most important steps centres on discussions with families about what having a premature baby means for them.”

Dr. Ng and Heather share thoughts for families who are facing a very preterm birth:

Dr. Ng: These are often difficult conversations. As health care providers, we need to outline for families the possible outcomes of having a very premature baby. These babies are at high risk of many developmental challenges, including vision and hearing problems, motor delay, impaired learning and behavioural and other developmental challenges. Sunnybrook is a leader in developing treatments for infants born at 22 and 23 weeks. However, it’s a very heartbreaking reality that not all of these babies will survive. We provide information to families that if their baby lives, they will be very fragile over their first few months of life, and may have ongoing health issues into childhood and as an adult.

Gage, born at 22 weeks and five days, in Sunnybrook’s NICU

What we try to keep in mind is that families’ concept of disability varies and depends on their family circumstances and value systems. I see the role of the health care team as experts providing information to the family, but ultimately the family has to make decisions that are right for them. There is no right or wrong decision in these situations.

Heather: “What do you want?” I remember my doctor asking that question. In my heart, I knew that I wanted to try. I wanted the team to resuscitate Gage. I knew my values and this was the right path for my family. I know many families wouldn’t have chosen the same path and I’m okay with that. You need to do what is best for you and your family.

Dr. Ng: I heard these early discussions referred to as “a meeting of two experts,” which I thought was great. The health care provider offers their expert clinical knowledge and the family are experts on their lived experience with health and illness. Bringing this all together results in ‘shared decision making.’

Heather: That’s right. For one family, one condition might mean something. For another, it might mean something totally different, even though the condition is the same. Gage ticks the ‘disabled box,’ and it hasn’t been an easy path, but we find love and joy everyday.

Dr. Ng: A centre like Sunnybrook, with a maternal fetal medicine team specializing in high-risk pregnancies and a Level 3 NICU team specializing in the care of the very preterm infants, enables us to not only provide expert treatment to these infants, but also to start educating and offering strategies to their families in caring for their special infants as early as possible. We have a team called BOOST (Building Opportunities for Optimal and Smooth Transitions) that focuses on the transition from the NICU to home by engaging in family integrated care, empowering families in providing care and to advocate for their infants. In this stage, we shift much of the decision making for the child to the parents while in the NICU. In doing so, we are starting to build their “parental capacity” muscles before babies are discharged from the hospital.

Heather: I have a photo of the first time I held Gage. He’s on my chest in the NICU. He was so tiny. A few months later, he left the hospital breathing on his own and breastfeeding. Now he’s skiing and loves anything to do with animals. He works hard to do the same things kids his age do, but he does them. It has taken work to get there, but he’s come out on the other side.

The post Meet Gage, born under 23 weeks: “It hasn’t been easy, but it has been so rewarding” appeared first on Your Health Matters.

David Steane recalls stretching his legs after hours of holding his premature son skin-to-skin in Sunnybrook’s neonatal intensive care unit.

“I would stare at the ‘Wall of Fame’ – stories of babies who left the unit and were thriving. It was emotional, and it gave me hope for the future,” says David.

For two months, David and his wife Nicole took shifts holding and talking to Nathan, who was born weighing two pounds and six ounces.

Nathan in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Now, the couple are watching with pride as Nathan enters his third year at Wilfrid Laurier University. Pursuing a criminology and policing major, he’s passionate about hockey and keen to join the university’s intramural hockey clubs.

The family’s journey with the hospital didn’t end with Nathan; his two younger brothers both spent time in the NICU. Matthew was born five weeks early (he’s about to begin his first year at Brock University and hoping to eventually earn a golf scholarship) and Mike, the family’s youngest at 14 years of age, was born six weeks early.

Present day photo of Nathan

“We grew up feeling like every other kid,” says Nathan, who saw the team in the Neonatal Follow-up Clinic after leaving the hospital. “You would never have thought we were in the hospital with our parents going through all of that worry about us.”

Nicole and David say connecting with other families was particularly meaningful during each of their son’s stays in the unit. “We talked to everyone, particularly other parents. It’s an unusual start as a parent to have your baby in an intensive care unit. The other parents knew the highs and lows and were such a support,” adds Nicole, who adds she also keeps in touch with members of her sons’ health care team.

The family also made an effort to learn about research studies, such as one about caffeine reducing apnea in preemies and volunteered to participate. “Our approach was that the information could not only help our babies, but other families down the road,” says David.

With days to go until the start of university, the family sits in their kitchen, jokes flying between them. David says he wants to reassure families with babies currently in the NICU.

“They can make it out and have a normal life.”

The post From the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to Laurier University: Read Nathan’s story appeared first on Your Health Matters.

“They both have such funny imaginations,” says their mom Natasha, laughing.

The twins started life at just over 25 weeks. Asha weighed only 600 grams and Surabhi weighed 700 grams, and both girls had brain bleeds. They spent three months in Sunnybrook’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and one month at Credit Valley Hospital.

Each year, Sunnybrook cares for around 70 ‘micro-preemies’ who are born before 26 weeks of pregnancy. Nearly 200 families are also cared for in Sunnybrook’s Twins Clinic, which provides state-of-the-art care and support to families with twins in an effort to prevent pregnancy complications and improve the health of the birthing parent and their babies.

“When you have such a premature baby, your mind races. What will the future look like? It’s a stressful time,” says Natasha, who says both girls, now in grade one, have met all of their milestones.

On Multiple Births Awareness Day, Natasha says her advice for other parents of premature infants is to not sweat the small stuff, and don’t compare your children to other kids.

“Take it day by day, and lean on the team in the NICU. I felt so alone at the time and didn’t understand what was happening. The way the health care team gets the whole family involved is incredible. The NICU staff will always be a part of our family.”

The post Born at 25 weeks, six-year-old twins Asha and Surabhi are thriving appeared first on Your Health Matters.

“Watching them find their passions in life is incredible,” says mom Sandy Thompson. “There are no limitations. They want to try something new and they follow through.”

The twins had an early start to life. At 27 weeks of pregnancy, Sandy began experiencing a placenta complication. The girls were born, with Hailey weighing one pound, 13 ounces and Samantha weighing two pounds, eight ounces. Both were given a breathing tube right away and admitted to Sunnybrook’s neonatal intensive care unit. Samantha was able to progress from that in a couple of weeks to a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine after a few weeks.

Hailey developed an infection and was diagnosed with two serious heart defects. Her condition improved without the need for surgery. Samantha left the hospital 12 weeks after birth, and Hailey came home with Sandy and her husband Steven 20 weeks after she was born.

The family also learned the twins would be moved from the hospital’s Women’s College site to Sunnybrook’s Bayview campus, which Sandy describes as “seamless…the staff made the transition so smooth…and the new facilities were absolutely amazing.”

While thankful both girls are now healthy and thriving, Sandy admits their first couple of years of life were a blur. “It’s incredibly busy. You need to learn everything about caring for babies born prematurely, as well as trying to understand how to navigate the health care system and also transitioning from the hospital to community-based care,” explains Sandy, who adds that between both girls there were five to seven medical appointments a week during their first two years of life.

If she were to change anything about the girls’ stay in the NICU, Sandy says she would have taken advantage of the supportive resources at the hospital. “From social workers, to parent coordinators, there are so many supports. I would encourage families with a baby or babies in the unit to use all available services. I think they would have made my time easier as a parent.”

Looking at the family now, as they’re smiling, laughing and planning their next big hike, it’s difficult to imagine the challenging start Hailey and Samantha had in life. They’ve opted for remote learning during the pandemic, and the twins are excited to get back to a routine as grade five students.

Sandy urges parents of babies born prematurely to take each day as it comes. “If it’s a hard day, try to just get through it and hope tomorrow will be a better day. If tomorrow isn’t a better day, just hope that the next day will be better. Don’t be scared of the future. There is so much good ahead.”

The post Meet Samantha and Hailey: From the NICU to thriving 10-year-olds appeared first on Your Health Matters.

Rena Rosenthal, a registered dietitian in Sunnybrook’s neonatal intensive care unit, works with families to provide strategies to encourage happy feeding. A happy feeder is comfortable with eating and able to enjoy food and mealtimes.

“Parents who have had a premature baby are often concerned about weight gain for their infants and children, sometimes to the point where food, and eating enough of it, becomes a huge issue,” says Rena, adding that this can also be an issue for families who haven’t had a baby in the NICU. “There are a number of steps parents can take with the goal of making meal and snack times much less stressful.”

The ultimate goal is to have your child accept new foods, and also be in tune with their body to know when they are hungry and when they are full.

It’s normal for children in their toddler years (and beyond!) to be finicky eaters. The good news? There’s a lot you can do a lot to ensure your child is ready for a lifetime of enjoying food and mealtimes.

Here are Rena’s tips for families with children from age six months right through to the teen years:

Meals are partnerships

Everyone has a role to play in the partnership, with parents deciding what, when and where to feed and children deciding whether and how much to eat. This approach sets up kids, and their parents, for success. Children learn how to enjoy a variety of foods and parents learn to respect their kids’ hunger cues.

Meals = teamwork

Include your children in planning and preparing family meals. How much your child can do will of course depend on their age. For young children, sprinkling cheese on dishes or helping distribute taco shells to each member of the family is a fun role. Involving your children in menu and meal planning is a good idea too.

Schedule meals and snacks

Make a schedule and routine and stick to it. This means no grazing between meals, and all meals and snacks should be eaten together with your child either in a high chair or seated around the table.

“But she didn’t eat anything…”

What if your kid doesn’t eat much, or anything? Don’t panic, advises Rena. Children balance themselves by eating more at one meal and less at another. Focus less on what your child is eating and more on how they feel and behave at meal times. Your child should be offered the same food as the rest of the family. Do not prepare different foods for them.

Learn to trust your child’s cues

Respect that your child will learn to know when they are hungry and when they are full. Meal times are over once your child seems disinterested in eating or starts to misbehave (for example, throwing food). They can leave the table and play quietly while the rest of the family finishes eating.

Encourage family mealtimes

Come together over food and share stories about your day. It’s also an opportunity for your kids to see you trying new foods, meaning they’re more likely to try new foods as well.

Minimize distractions

Put away all technology, turn off the TV and separate mealtimes from playtime. Toys, as well as technology like phones or tablets, should not be brought to the table during mealtimes.

Embrace messiness

Let your child self-feed, even if they’re using their hands. Allow your child to feel in control when it comes to food and eating.

Don’t play games

Avoid entertaining or playing games to get your children to eat more. Don’t praise your child for eating or show disapproval when they don’t eat. Rena suggests no pressuring, bribing or sneaking food into your child’s mouth.

Be patient

Learning how to be a happy feeder takes time and patience. The more you practice with your children, the more comfortable they will feel about making their own decisions surrounding food.

Having a child who is a picky eater can be stressful. Remember there are constructive steps parents can take to shape their children’s view of food to ensure they become happy feeders.

If you’re concerned your child isn’t growing as they should be, or you and/or your child is feeling very anxious about meal times and feeding, be sure to make an appointment with your paediatrician or family doctor.

The post Is your child a picky eater? We have tips appeared first on Your Health Matters.

It’s a small everyday moment, but meaningful to Emery’s parents as she was a micro-preemie, born at just over 24 weeks and weighing only 770 grams in 2015.

“She’s a very early reader,” says Nathan, Emery’s dad, who explains her advanced reading has made her popular in her junior kindergarten class, with kids often gathering around her to hear stories.

Nathan recalls their time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and admits it was a tough start. Born in 2015, Emery had an intraventricular hemorrhage, or IVH, meaning she had bleeding inside the ventricles of her brain. It was a scary time for Nathan and his wife Jaclyn.

Since then, Emery has been diagnosed as on the autism spectrum. “It was on our radar as we knew she had some developmental delays,” says Nathan. The family moved from Toronto to Windsor last year to be in the couple’s home town and have extra support from family members.

The family have been using Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and have noticed a substantial improvement in Emery making eye contact and her social interactions. The play-based approach reinforces positive behaviours and has worked really well for the family.

“We were reading ‘The Gruffalo’, and Emery liked the part about his whiskers. She would grab my face and comment about my whiskers, making eye contact the whole time,” says Nathan.

Emery started school this year, which has been smoother than the family imagined. She has supports, including from a school nurse for her feeding tube and an educational assistant in the classroom. Nathan says it can be overwhelming being the parent of a premature child but says there are supports available in the community and in schools. School has been a huge hit with his daughter, who loves going each day and seeing her friends.

“I’m often asked for advice from others who have a premature child who has developmental delays. For me, I need to remind myself that Emery is still a child. You can get caught up in the treatment and appointments, but kids need to do child-like things. When we were travelling recently, we played mini-golf and it was fun to show Emery how to hold the club,” says Nathan.

He also encourages enjoying the everyday moments, like reading a book with your child, even when she may be better at pronouncing the longest dinosaur name than you are.

The post From micro-preemie to thriving kindergartener, meet Emery appeared first on Your Health Matters.

What a difference a year can make. 

The Fall 2018 edition of Sunnybrook Magazine featured a full-page photo of Navendu Dogra holding his son Arjan in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). 

“The photo is a hard-hitting reminder of the hope, and hopelessness, we felt every day having a baby in the NICU,” says Navendu. “We wanted to run away, and stay, at the same time.” 

Arjan was born weighing 710 grams – less than two pounds – in Kriti’s 24th week of pregnancy. Reeling from the shock of having a micropreemie, the couple also had to care for their three-year-old son, Angad, as their extended family all live in India. 

“Sunnybrook took care of me, so I could take care of my baby,” recalls Kriti, who would arrive at the hospital around 5 a.m. and stay late each night to be with Arjan. She recalls staff making his room as comfortable as possible, so she could pump breast milk and still manage to get a little work done.  

Meanwhile, at home, their older son was having difficulty adjusting to the significant time his parents were spending at the hospital. NICU staff recommended bringing Angad to the hospital to visit Arjan. 

Just minutes into his first visit, “he became a big brother,” says Kriti with a smile. Angad visited his brother regularly at Sunnybrook from that point on. 

Arjan celebrated his first birthday on Feb. 2, 2019, and now weighs 7.2 kilograms (nearly 16 pounds). He is crawling, pulling himself up and talks animatedly. His favourite word is “Angad,” which he yells gleefully the minute his brother arrives home from school. 

“I love this photo of us enjoying a day out together,” says Kriti. “There is so much joy and wonderful noise each day. Our lives are content and our family is complete. Thank you, Sunnybrook.”  

The post One year post-NICU, a family finds joy in every moment appeared first on Your Health Matters.