Tiny but mighty: How one baby overcame the odds of a premature birth

When Py’lan Goldie Joseph was born on August 12, 2024, her mother, Na’Jai, didn’t get to see or hold her until hours later. It was only after a whirlwind of fear, uncertainty, and a flurry of several critical medical decisions that mother and daughter finally met for the first time.  

“She was my first pregnancy, my first baby, so we didn’t know what was going to happen, but we held firmly to our faith that the doctors and nurses would get us through it,” recalls Na’Jai.  

A frightening start  

N’Jai was admitted to Touro in New Orleans. She had developed preeclampsia, a serious condition in pregnant women that causes high blood pressure and can impact major organs like the liver and kidneys. She was fine, but Py’lan’s life was in danger. 

Preeclampsia can develop suddenly and without warning, even in first-time pregnancies. In severe cases, it may require early delivery to protect the health of both mother and baby. 

Py’lan was born at just 25 weeks, weighing only 1 pound 4.5 ounces, and was immediately transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Manning Family Children’s, where she was placed on a ventilator to support her underdeveloped lungs.  

Na’Jai remembers finally holding her daughter the night of Py’lan’s birthday. She recalls Py’lan being so tiny and connected to many wires.   

“I was so nervous and scared to hold her. She was so small; I was afraid I was going to mess something up,” said Na’Jai. 

Holding onto hope for 206 days  

For the next 206 days—nearly seven months—Na’Jai’s faith was tested and reaffirmed as little Py’lan fought for her life. Supported by a dedicated team of providers, including Dr. Freehill and neonatologist Anne Tufton, MD,  Py’lan made steady progress each day. 

During her seven months in the NICU, Py’lan faced many of the challenges common for micro-preemies. Her underdeveloped lungs required weeks of ventilator support before she could breathe on her own. She needed to steadily gain weight, learn to regulate her body temperature outside the incubator, and build the strength to feed safely. With the help of her care team, she gradually transitioned from IV nutrition and feeding tubes to a G-tube. Each step—from her first successful breath without support to reaching a safe weight milestone—was celebrated as a major victory by her parents and the NICU staff.  

“Every Friday, like clockwork, they would provide us with updates on what was going well and what wasn’t. Even when we didn’t think we would see the light at the end of the tunnel, they never made us feel hopeless,” said Na’Jai. 

A care team that became family  

Py’lan’s care team in the NICU became an extended family, and Na’Jai can still name each nurse who made an impact on her baby girl’s young life: Ryleigh, DeeDee, Emily, and Camry.  

“Each one of them embraced Py’lan like she was their child, always looking out for her, and ensuring she had the best care,” said Na’Jai. 

The long-awaited day finally arrived for Py’lan to go home. On March 6, 2025, she left the hospital with only one piece of medical equipment—a G-tube for feeding. While there had been concern she might need surgery to repair a hole in her heart, it closed on its own. By the time she was discharged, Py’lan weighed 13 pounds, 7 ounces—a huge milestone that showed just how far she had come since her 1 pound, 4.5-ounce birth weight. 

As part of her follow-up care, 1-year-old Py’lan is undergoing occupational and physical therapy and is making remarkable progress. Many premature babies need extra support in these areas because their muscles and nervous systems are still developing outside the womb. Physical therapy helps with strength, coordination, and motor skills like crawling and walking, while occupational therapy focuses on feeding, sensory development, and everyday skills. With each session, Py’lan is building the foundation she needs to stay on track with her milestones. Her hard work is paying off, and her growing independence is shining through in her personality. 

“She’s sassy and wants what she wants when she wants it,” says Na’Jai with a laugh. “She is silly and funny and is doing amazingly well—crawling, teething, and hitting all the milestones.”  

Gratitude beyond words 

As she reflects on their NICU journey, Na’Jai and Phillip, Py’lan’s dad, feel nothing but overwhelming gratitude.  

“We are just so appreciative and thankful. The NICU staff didn’t just care for Py’lan. They cared for us,” she said.  

Starting out as a tiny preemie connected to wires and in an incubator, Py’lan is now a thriving baby full of joy and a testament to resilience, family, and the power of compassionate care.  

“Py’lan is a remarkable example of what’s possible with early intervention, expert care, and a whole lot of love,” said Na ‘Jai.   

For more information about the NICU at Manning Family Children’s, visit Neonatal Intensive Care | Manning Family Children's 

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About Manning Family Children’s:

Manning Family Children’s is a 263-bed, non-profit academic pediatric medical center that offers comprehensive healthcare services, including over 40 pediatric specialties, just for children. With more than 600 pediatric providers, Manning Family Children’s offers a comprehensive array of specialized pediatric services in Louisiana and the Gulf South. In addition to its main campus located in New Orleans, Children’s operates a network of specialty clinics across Louisiana, including in Covington, Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Lafayette, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Children’s offers primary care at 17 convenient locations, along with a network of statewide pediatric affiliations. Children’s is a proud member of LCMC Health, a Louisiana-based, not-for-profit hospital system which also includes New Orleans East Hospital, Touro, University Medical Center New Orleans, West Jefferson Medical Center, East Jefferson General Hospital, Lakeview Hospital, and Lakeside Hospital. Learn more at manningchildrens.org.