Acts of kindness
I can’t believe how fast time goes! My little boy Ajit is turning two, and it feels surreal to think about how far we’ve come. Those early days were such a struggle for me personally, and I’ll never forget when someone said, “the days are long, but the months are short.” That phrase has stayed with me ever since.
Watching my baby grow, develop, and reach his milestones fills me with pride. His name, Ajit Singh, means unconquerable, and every single day, he lives up to that meaning.
Bittersweet moments
As his birthday approaches, I can’t help but think about the day he was born. It’s a bittersweet feeling, one of the best and hardest times of my life. Around his first birthday, I was still having therapy for postnatal depression and PTSD from everything that had happened.
Those emotions are still there, but they’ve softened with time, replaced slowly by gratitude and pride for how strong we both were.
The neonatal bubble
Our NICU journey was surprisingly short and sweet. The nurses were kind, informative, and always reassuring. As scary as it was to see my tiny baby with tubes and the constant sound of beeping machines, I trusted the NICU team.
Inside NICU, you’re in a bubble of care and structure; outside of it, things can feel very isolating. It can't be explained unless you’ve experienced it and been there.
Once Ajit was moved to the ward, the support suddenly stopped. The midwives and nurses treated him as if he were a full-term baby. This was so difficult and frustrating. Navigating life with a premature baby came with so many unexpected challenges.
Honouring Ajit’s journey
Thankfully, we stayed at my mum’s house for seven weeks, and the family help made a world of difference. Charities like The Smallest Things offered comfort and understanding, and our health visitor, a former NICU nurse, showed genuine empathy, care, patience and signposted me to helpful resources.
Those small acts of kindness made such a big impact during a time when everything felt so uncertain.
During World Prematurity Month, I know it’s important to raise awareness for families like ours. Our son fought every odd to be here, from pregnancy complications and PROM at 29 weeks to his early arrival at just 33 weeks.
This month, I’ll be donating 50p from every handmade wreath I sell to The Smallest Things charity, and giving back to other organisations that support premature babies and NICU families. It’s my way of honouring Ajit’s journey and helping others walking a similar path.
To any parent sitting beside an incubator right now, I want you to know this: keep communicating and talking with your baby. Tell them you love them. Touch them every chance you get.
Every emotion you’re feeling is valid, the fear, the exhaustion, the uncertainty. Try not to let it overwhelm you (I know it’s easier said than done), and remember: your baby is a fighter, and so are you.
Focus on the small wins and hold on to faith. The best things truly do come in small packages.
With thanks to Billie for sharing Ajit’s story. Visit The Bead Idea for beautiful handmade Christmas decorations