Little Fighters, Stronger Than You Think

With a heavy heart, I find myself facing my child being sick yet again. Just a week ago, he was battling chickenpox, and his little body still carries the scars. He has just finished his second round of antibiotics in two months.

My son has always had a more delicate immune system, partly because he was born prematurely. That means he gets sick often, picks up bugs quickly, and has spent time in the hospital more than I’d ever want for him. Even writing this blog, I had to step back and cry. I feel like I am not winning … as though I’m somehow failing him as a parent.

What am I doing wrong? He has immune boosters. He’s had all his vaccinations. Yet, here we are again.

Sometimes I feel judged by the comments of others:“He’s sick again?”“My children never got sick that often.”“Back in the day, no one was sick like this.”

The weight of those words adds to the exhaustion. It breaks my heart to see his small body always on medication, always fighting something he doesn’t understand. The truth is … I can’t put him in a bubble to protect him from the world, no matter how much I wish I could.

We try everything in our power to keep him healthy. However, what I need, and what parents like me need, is understanding. Compassion. A little grace.

Today, a friend reminded me that their twins in their life, also born prematurely, faced the same struggles when they were small. That reassurance, that I’m not alone, that this isn’t just me failing … was a lifeline. Sometimes that’s all a parent needs: someone to say, “I get it.”

The Hidden Challenge of Prematurity

Having a premature baby comes with a host of challenges, but one that doesn’t get spoken about enough is the impact on their immune system, not just at birth, but as they grow.

When a baby arrives too early, they miss out on vital time in the womb. That last stretch of pregnancy is when the immune system strengthens most, and when mom’s protective antibodies are transferred.

Because of this, preemies often begin life with fewer defences. Their immune systems may respond differently, sometimes struggling more to fight off infections or even to respond fully to vaccines. As they grow, they can be more prone to inflammation and immune-related challenges.

While they may be “small fighters,” it doesn’t mean their fight is easy, or that their parents’ hearts don’t break a little each time they fall ill.

To the parents walking this road: You are not failing. Your child is not weak. They are just fighting with a different starting line, and their resilience is greater than most will ever know.