Earlybirds chats to mum Shari Tindle

Baby Archie is growing up fast! This is mum Shari’s favourite picture of him.

1. How old was your baby when they were born and what did they weigh? How old are they now and what do they weigh?

Archie was born at 25 weeks and two days gestation. He weighed 829 grams. He is now two years old (25 months) or 21.5 months corrected and weighs 12kg.

2. Did your baby spend time in NICU? What was the most challenging part of NICU? 

Yes, he spent 99 days in NICU. The most challenging part was having to leave my other two young children behind to spend time with Archie and then leave Archie behind to go home to them. I was always leaving a part of my heart behind.

3. What was your most exciting ‘premmie first’? E.g. the first time you were able to hold them, the first time your baby could breathe on their own.

Every first felt like a major win in NICU, from changing a nappy to him breathing without any oxygen but the first time I could feed Archie was the most exciting for me.

4. What was your baby’s first word?

Dadda. All three of my boys said Dad first!

5. What is their favourite toy at the moment?

His plush monkey he named “oo-oo” he also loves anything Bluey.

6. What is a funny moment you’ve had with your baby?

Archie walks around the house telling the Google Nest ‘Google, Holy Beiber.’ All our friends and family know to put Justin Bieber on to make Archie happy!

7. What advice would you give to first-time parents of a sick or premmie baby?

I’d say to make sure you look after yourself and your partner too. Your baby has a team of amazing doctors and nurses looking after them around the clock. Its ok to have a date or coffee with your partner and check in with each other. This isn’t something that one of you can carry the other through, you are in this together.  

8. What does parenthood mean to you?

Parenthood is my highest honour. I feel so privileged to have been given my three boys to raise. It is a great responsibility to raise young men that will impact this world for good.

9. What is some of the more memorable support you received from families/friends/health workers?

We are lucky enough to have alot of family and friends around us. Having people available to mind our other two boys who were 18 months and four years old at the time was the biggest help. My husband had to keep working and I was spending most of the day at the hospital with Archie. Having friends and family who helped the other boys feel safe and happy in such a stressful time for us was something I will never forget.

10. What are the best things to say or to avoid saying when supporting premmie parents. Could you give an example?

Avoid saying ‘at least. For example, ‘at least you didn’t have to get stretch marks’, ‘at least you can go home and sleep’,  ‘at least you made it to 25 (or whatever) weeks’, ‘at least you didn’t have to be pregnant through summer.’ Any premmie parent would have given the world to have been pregnant long enough to get stretch marks, be uncomfortable through summer, be waddling and uncomfortable at 40 weeks and have their baby at home waking through the night.

11. What is your favourite moment with your baby?

My favourite moment is every evening rocking him to sleep and soaking up every minute I can hold him and kiss his head. It makes me so grateful that he is my miracle and he is here for me to hold.