12 Dads Seeing Their Preemie Babies

By Lindsay Tigar
Sometimes babies have a timing of their own and come much earlier than expected. Others have health issues that require immediate attention. Take a look at these oh-so-sweet photos of amazing fathers who welcomed babies that spent time in the NICU.
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Their First Encounter

Courtesy of Kristen Brockman

"This is my husband holding our daughter in the NICU for the first time! She was born on January 13 of this year and weighed 3lbs, 4oz. She's now 5 months old and thriving at 10lbs, 5 oz!" -Kristen Brockman

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Dad's Very First Look

Courtesy of Nicole Alt

Our son was born five weeks early and had to be immediately transferred an hour away, so the only glimpse we were able to get was five minutes through the incubator." -Nicole Alt

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James and Jocelyn

Courtesy of Shari Mathias

"This is my husband, James, with our first daughter, Jocelyn in the NICU. She was born on November 11, 2012, six weeks early! She's now two-and-a-half years old, and thriving. She also has a little sister, Anna, who was born as a preemie last November." -Shari Mathias

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An Elated Father

Courtesy of Patricia Mann

"I had to have an emergency C-section at 34 weeks, and they did not know what the outcome was going to be for the baby. She was born healthy at 3 pounds and 3 ounces, and only had to stay in the NICU for three weeks. Before they put her in the incubator, daddy got to be with his sweet baby." -Patricia Mann

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Beautiful Little Girl

Courtesy of Kirsten Smith

"After two years of trying to have a baby, we finally had a beautiful little girl! She was born premature and very sick. This is the first time daddy got to hold her in the NICU without all her tubes and wires everywhere!" -Kirsten Smith

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Daddy with His Two Girls

Courtesy of Jennifer Moss Bunkley

"This is my brother holding his girls for the first time. They were born early and in the NICU for a few weeks." -Jennifer Moss Bunkley

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Their Tiny Treasure

Courtesy of Stevie-Shardae Sherman

"Our baby boy Grayson was born 14 weeks early on April 26, 2015. He was 2 lbs 2 ounces and 13 inches long. He's still in the NICU, but doing amazing and gets to come home in three weeks! This picture is from the first time daddy got to hold him!" -Stevie-Shardae Sherman

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Baby Care Basics: Concerns for Premature Babies

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Mom's Favorite Picture

Courtesy of Melissa Frizzell

"This is my husband holding our second born for the first time. He was born six weeks early. We were waiting to hear if we could bring him home or if he would have to stay in the NICU." -Melissa Frizzell

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Little Man

Courtesy of Allison Plott Nation

"His first time with daddy was quick. Our lil' man was taken away to prepare for transfer to a NICU two hours away. We were all terrified." -Allison Plott Nation

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Dad's First Look

Courtesy of Courtney Allison

"Here he is seeing our baby for the first time, recovering in the NICU." -Courtney Allison

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Our Little Miracle

Courtesy of Kaci Howard

"Our little miracle was brought by emergency C-section four weeks early and had to be in the NICU. We were not able to hold her when she was first born, so it was amazing to be able to that first time and every moment since." -Kaci Howard

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Tiny Hand

Courtesy of Julia Mehl

"Ruby was born with special needs and had to stay in the NICU after she was born, her dad spent every second by her side until I was able to recover from surgery to visit her, we weren't able to hold her due to all the monitors so he would sit by her side just holding her tiny hand to let her know he was there. He is an amazing dad to Ruby and her older brother Wes, he is patient and kind and does whatever he can to make sure they have the attention and time they need." -Julia Mehl

Copyright © 2015 Meredith Corporation.

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The Adorable First Moments These Dads Met Their Babies

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