Nebraska baby heads home after being smallest infant to survive at hospital: 'Joyful day'
The premature infant, who is called 'Buddy,' was born weighing less than a pound
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The tiniest baby to ever survive a premature birth at a Nebraska hospital was recently discharged – 116 days after being born.
John McClinton, who is called "Buddy" by his parents, was born at 24 weeks and two days, according to FOX TV Stations. He was born at Methodist Women's Hospital in Omaha, and weighed less than a pound.
Buddy headed home in December and is currently on oxygen.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}WISCONSIN WOMAN GIVES BIRTH IN MCDONALD'S PARKING LOT AMID SNOWSTORM, NICKNAMES BABY 'MCFLURRY'
"Buddy weighed 14.1 ounces and measured 9.65 inches when he was born on Labor Day, and he is the smallest baby born at the hospital to survive," staff at Methodist Women's Hospital announced in a press release on Jan. 16.
John "Buddy" McClinton was born at 24 weeks and two days at Methodist Women's Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. (Ashley McClinton via FOX TV Stations)
Buddy was born with a hole in his heart that doctors were able to sew shut. Despite that, he is expected to live a healthy life.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"By the grace of God and the wonderful medical team, he really just needed to grow," mom Ashley McClinton told FOX TV Stations.
The mother had experienced a miscarriage before she became pregnant with Buddy. At around 20 weeks, Buddy stopped growing in the womb and her blood pressure increased rapidly.
PARENTS WELCOME 14-POUND BABY, THE LARGEST ON RECORD SINCE 2010: 'EVERYBODY WAS MAKING BETS'
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Parents Ashley and John McClinton welcomed their son, John "Buddy" McClinton in September. Buddy was born weighing less than 1 pound and spent 116 days in the hospital before recently heading home. (Ashley McClinton via FOX TV Stations)
"What went through my mind was, ‘Lord, I cannot lose another child. I cannot bury another baby,’" she said.
When her baby was finally discharged from Methodist Women's Hospital, Ashley described the day as being "bittersweet."
"We have formed such close relationships with all of the people that took care of him for [these] 116 days," she explained to FOX TV Stations. "So it was a joyful day. But also, you know, a lot of tears, too."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The day that Buddy left Methodist Women's Hospital was "bittersweet" because his family had gotten close with hospital staff, his mother said. (Ashley McClinton via FOX TV Stations)
Ashley told Fox News Digital that Buddy is doing great at home.
"We have dreamed of being parents for so long and we are so grateful. Buddy is doing so good!" the happy mom said. "He’s very opinionated and most content being held, which we love. We are enjoying every minute with him."
McClinton hopes that her family's story reminds couples who have experienced pregnancy losses or preterm births that they're not alone.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
Mom Ashley McClinton wants couples who have experienced infertility or preterm births to know that they’re not alone. (Ashley McClinton via FOX TV Stations)
"We pray it gives people struggling with similar issues some comfort and encouragement," she told Fox News Digital. "I’ve had people from all over the country reach out who have micro preemies in the NICU who are sharing their stories with us. We’re blessed to hear from them and honored to cheer them on."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.1eye.us/lifestyle.