20 most precious preemie moments

Preemies are nothing short of amazing and not to mention precious. But sometimes we forget just how trying their journey has been/is. Being a parent of a preemie must be one of the toughest jobs out there, but somehow you manage to pull through no matter what life throws at you. And for that, we salute you! 

To celebrate all our preemies, we've found the most amazing moments captured of these tiny fighters. Have a look here: 

1. Nothing cuter than a tiny yawn

Today is word premature day, looking at this tiny two week old Maggie brings up so many emotions. Praise God for (small ??) miracles. And by the by...is there anything cuter than a teeny tiny yawn - i think not. #worldprematurityday #preemie #dearmaggie

A photo posted by Landi (@landibester) on Nov 16, 2016 at 10:46pm PST

2. Nothing like a mother's touch

A week after DJ was born, I finally got to hold him. I was smiling but I was a tired, scared (semi) new mom. Before him, all I knew was lost. I didn't think that it was in the cards for me to be a mom earthside yet here he was, this 1lb 11oz baby boy that was mine. Living, breathing, and feisty as ever. #touchesoflove ??

A photo posted by Kiara Hadley (@muvakeeks) on Nov 16, 2016 at 10:06pm PST

3. Having her own little nest 

Världsprematurdagen! ?? En viktig dag för mig. En dag där jag minns. Förtvivlan, hopp, glädje, ledsamhet, kärlek, allt. På några timmar hände det o helt plötsligt, veckor för tidigt, hade vi fått vår andra tös. Har sagt det innan, den värsta men också en av det bästa dagarna i mitt liv! Tacksam över dagens sjukvård och över hur bra vi har det här. Önskar att det kunde vara lika överallt! #levförlivet #tahandomer #världsprematurdagen #prematur #minlillatjej #preemie #premature #eklampsi

A photo posted by Therese Fritzson (@thefritzson) on Nov 16, 2016 at 10:06pm PST

4. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger...

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger #nicu #preemie #preemieday #november17th #ankstukai #purpurine #savaite

A photo posted by Gintare (@gintare_sta) on Nov 16, 2016 at 10:06pm PST

5. Tiny heroes indeed 

Some people never get to meet their hero. I gave birth to mine. #worldprematurityday #preemie #miraclebaby#heavensent #aeliasmoments

A photo posted by Ursula Theodorou (@ursulatheo) on Nov 16, 2016 at 10:03pm PST

6. Magic #3

Today is #worldprematurityday - A day to celebrate all the little fighters that have defied the odds of entering the world too early and also to mourn the angels that lost the fight. My miraculous, resilient and magical little blessings entered this world very suddenly and unexpectedly at 31 weeks. They were SO tiny that their dolls they play with now are bigger than they were born at. In this picture they were already 3.5 weeks old. Every single day I am reminded how strong they are and just how lucky we truly are that our story ended as beautifully as it did! #preemie #triplets #nicubaby #triplets #preemiepower #multiples #strong #31weekers #grateful

A photo posted by Gina Laura Brits (@britletsandme) on Nov 16, 2016 at 9:23pm PST

7. Only 6 weeks old and already camera ready

This #preemie is just 6 weeks old in this photo, but now he's 6 years old! Thanks for sharing this photo of your adorable little guy, @mikailahp! #worldprematurityday #marchofdimes #prematurityawarenessmonth

A photo posted by March of Dimes (@marchofdimes) on Nov 16, 2016 at 9:02pm PST

8. 'I am so thankful for modern medicine'

Today is #worldprematurityday. I am so thankful for all the knowledge of modern medicine and for all the doctors to help save all these little ones. There is a lot of different reasons for premature babies to come into the world. Mine specifically was due to preeclampsia. I was so swollen and blood pressure through the roof. 3days into being in the hospital Logan decided he needed to get out so we went through an emergency c section and we both survived at 30weeks and 3days. I am truly thankful for all the doctors and nurses and praising God for a wonderful baby. I hope we can bring awareness for #prematurebaby so we can help give more knowledge to medicine. My son is now thriving and so blessed to have him. #preemie #preemiesupportandawareness #prematureawareness

A photo posted by Emily Garcia (@miniemi787) on Nov 16, 2016 at 8:08pm PST

9. Already thinking about what he's going to do next

It's World Prematurity Day today, celebrating all the premmies that are with us today and remembering those flying with their angel wings. This is one of my favourite photos of Charlie 'thinking' from his hospital days and always brings a smile to my face ??. Thinking of all my friends who've had little premmies today too. ?????? #WorldPrematurityDay2016 #lifeslittletreasures #premmie #prembaby #worldprematurityday #worldprematurityday2016 #prem #hes6now #preemie #celebrate #remember #lltf #premsurvivor #lifeslittletreasuresfoundation

A photo posted by KimiCB (@kimi_cb) on Nov 16, 2016 at 6:43pm PST

10. #PreemiePrince

Late night picture update. I am doing well everyone ??. #PreemiePrince?? #32weeker #BornAt32Weeks #Preemie #PreemieStrong #MarchOfDimes #ViewsFromTheNICU #ViewsAfterTheNICU #KeepinUpWithCody?? #Minilicious #MiniRoyalz #NICUlife #NICUbabies #PreemiePower #PerfectKidz #BourgieBabies #BabiesOfInstagram #CuteKidsGotSwag_ #NaturallyPerfectKids #PreemieAwareness #PreemieAwarenessMonth #PregnancyBeyond #NICU

A photo posted by Your Son G O A L S ?? (@codybofficial) on Nov 16, 2016 at 6:28pm PST

11. Being the parent of a preemie can be tough

Day 16: You might be a preemie parent if... You hear people tell you that ALL babies need to be subjected to germs so they can build up their immunity, and you hold onto to your head so it doesn't spin off all exorcist style. Being the parent of a preemie often means doing things average people don't understand, like the overuse of hand sanitizer, the importance of washing your hands, and wanting to live in a bubble. #NationalPrematurityAwarenessMonth #PrematurityAwarenessMonth #PrematurityPhotoChallenge #Preemie #PreemieLove #PreemiePrincess #touchesoflove #NICUGrad #33weeker

A photo posted by Caci Fuller Carr (@fordtruckgirl2015) on Nov 16, 2016 at 4:48pm PST

12. It's all worth it in the end ...

How? How can it already be a year since he had his little cpap? How can it be a year since he was smaller than a rugby ball? How did he do it? How come we're so lucky he was able to overcome when others weren't? I love this little bug and we're so happy he's in our home. I won't lie, I've questioned why would we uproot our lives to bring another baby into this world when we had it so good before? We have had a lot of ups and downs but with him in our lives now, it is so good. I don't have all the time I had before but seeing him grow has really made it worth it. . . . #micropreemie #momsofmiracles #nicubaby #nicugrad #iugr #babiesofinstagram #preemiesofinstagram #babylove #babies #miraclebaby #beautifulbabies #kidsofinstagram #babygram #preemiestrong #preemie #nicu #nicumom #preemiemom #prematureawareness #prematureawarenessmonth #prematurebaby #malakaifekitoa #fekitoa #fekitoafamily

A photo posted by Lindsay Fekitoa | seeLINDSAY (@seelindsayblog) on Nov 16, 2016 at 3:59pm PST

13. A teeny rockstar

In honor of #worldprematurityday my little fighter has Come SO incredibly far. 9 weeks in the NICU born at 2lbs 9oz, he's my little rockstar. Stephen Rey you've taught me to love and live every moment like it's my last. #worldprematurityday #marchofdimes #preemie #preemieboy

A photo posted by Following The Dream (@following_the_dream) on Nov 16, 2016 at 3:09pm PST

14. Hold on and don't let go

16 november 2015, de dag dat jij eigenlijk geboren had moeten worden vorig jaar?? . #preemie#premature#30weeks#baby#babyboy#myboy#love#momlife##momsofinstagram#

A photo posted by Daniëlle Aarts (@mamavanmats_) on Nov 16, 2016 at 1:39pm PST

15. Just chilling with my best friend

"Just hanging out with my best friends over here!" #mastiff #englishmastiff #preemie #28weeker #themightyemmett #emmettmichael #babyanddog #dogandbaby #babysbestfriend #dogsofinsta #badcat

A photo posted by sarahdu686 (@sarahdu686) on Nov 16, 2016 at 1:03pm PST

16. A little miracle

#touchesoflove A couple hours after she was born. I will never forget the day I saw her for the first time she was so small, fragile & beautiful. I was so scared to touch her. A special nurse told me it was okay to put my hand on her, she assured me I wouldn't harm her, I would only make her feel my warmth & never ending love. Mila my miracle baby. #prematurityawarenessmonth #preemie #marchofdimes #eatef #miraclebaby #nicubaby #worldprematurityday

A photo posted by Maira Sanchez (@mairasanchez0612) on Nov 16, 2016 at 12:08pm PST

17. Hello world!

My #baby #bug #hello #eyes

A photo posted by Mrs. Eberhart (@lindsay_eberhart) on Nov 16, 2016 at 5:57am PST

18. Partners for life 

#myworld #twins #identicaltwins #mcdatwins #twinmom #mumofboys #twinlife #boys #babies #preemie #preemiebaby #snuggles #brothers #friendsforlife #bestfriends

A photo posted by Leanne (@byleanne77) on Nov 16, 2016 at 5:06am PST

19. 'No matter what obstacles we face, it'll only make us stronger'

Our little rockstar isn't letting anything get him down. As parents we tend to focus of the negatives while going through a tough situation. This little guy has fought through every obstacle thrown at him the last week and shown us what he's truly made of. His journey on this bumpy road is far from being over and it's only going to make us all stronger. @mdesesa #myrockstar #beautifulboy #preemie

A video posted by Ariana?? (@ariiferarrii) on Nov 16, 2016 at 3:20am PST

20. Snuggle Bug

Our little snuggle bug is back to her feisty self! All of her labs continue to look good, normal poop, her feedings have been increased to 18ml and her fortifier was reintroduced today. They think they will wean her off her cpap in the days to come and transition to the cannula--basically she's doing a great job breathing ;) This morning she had a massive diaper blowout for her nurse and then while we were giving her a bath this afternoon, she thought it'd be sweet to poop in her bath water! ?? We love watching her personality grow--she's already got so many faces and gives the stink eye on a regular basis. The hardest part of this all is leaving my baby girl each night, but we're so thankful she's in great hands and that your prayers surround her always! #godisgood #nicubaby #mynicustory #preemie #penelopejean1027 #feistypj #love

A photo posted by @lettermefancy on Nov 14, 2016 at 3:55pm PST

We'd love to hear your preemie journey stories, so send us your story and photo of your preemie (then and now) to chatback@parent24.com