Baby Boy Born Weighing 1lb 10oz Celebrates First Christmas at Home
After spending 127 days in the hospital, Iarla Ace, who was born prematurely at just 25 weeks and weighed only 1lb 10oz, is ready to celebrate his first Christmas at home with his family. The resilient 14-month-old has overcome numerous health challenges, including brain hemorrhages and bowel obstructions, and has recently had his feeding tube removed, allowing him to enjoy his first taste of Christmas dinner.
The Ace family, from Castlecaulfield near Dungannon, County Tyrone, is eager to spend this festive season together at home, creating cherished memories away from the hospital environment. Iarla’s mother, Lindsay, who works as a nurse at Craigavon Area Hospital, describes last Christmas as “horrible,” filled with the stress of balancing time between visiting her son and making the holiday special for her four-year-old daughter, Aine. "If I could have cancelled Christmas, I would, but obviously I had a little girl and I couldn’t - and we had to do Christmas,” she shared.
Reflecting on Iarla's birth on October 22, 2023, Lindsay recalled the uncertainty the family faced. “At the very very start it was very precarious - we really didn’t think he was going to survive the first couple of days,” she said, noting the various medical complications Iarla had to navigate early on. His first few days involved breathing difficulties, blood pressure issues, and intensive care.
After multiple surgeries, including five significant procedures and emergency surgery on New Year’s Day due to complications, Iarla finally came home to his family last February, marking the beginning of their new life at home. Matthew, Iarla’s father, expressed the surreal feeling of the day his son was discharged, describing it as “incredible” yet laden with the pressure of transitioning from constant medical supervision to caring for Iarla at home. “There’s a pressure of bringing him home because he’s been so well looked after… and now you’re responsible for him,” he explained.
Fast forward to the present, Iarla's recent milestone—removal of his feeding tube—was met with overwhelming emotion from his mother. “I just cried and cried, I was just so happy, just so proud of him,” she recounted. Now thriving, Iarla is reportedly meeting all his developmental milestones, enjoying eating and drinking normally, which is a significant progress from his initial struggles.
The Ace family attributes their incredible support and success to the outstanding care provided at the Royal Maternity Hospital and Craigavon Area Hospital. They have also expressed immense gratitude toward TinyLife, a charity dedicated to helping families with premature babies, and Shine, which provides support for those affected by spina bifida and hydrocephalus, the latter being Iarla’s condition.
Joanne Morgan, chief executive of TinyLife, praised the family's fundraising efforts to aid other premature babies and their families, stating, “TinyLife is very privileged to support baby Iarla and his family through what has been a challenging year, albeit with a very happy ending.” The Ace family’s story is not only one of survival but also of community support and resilience, as they prepare to create their very own festive traditions, finally together at home.
With Iarla's first Christmas dinner on the horizon, the family plans to reminisce about their tough past year yet celebrate the joy of their reunion. “It’s going to be amazing just for us all to be together at home this year for Christmas and just eat dinner, visit family and enjoy just the four of us being together.” This Christmas, the Ace family will cherish the simple gift of being together.
