Preemie Baby Gives Mom 'Bonus Smiles' When Bathed

A doting mom has shared a sweet video of her preemie baby giving her "bonus smiles" as he enjoys a bath after finally coming home from the NICU. Mom Rachel Dommermuth, 33, from New Fairfield, Connecticut, sees every smile before her premature son’s due date as a bonus – a sentiment that resonated with tens of millions of people on social media. While pregnant, Rachel was diagnosed complete placenta previa, a potentially life-threatening condition for both mother and baby. She said doctors described the diagnosis as a "ticking time bomb," and after a couple of complications and hospital visits, doctors declared it was unsafe for Rachel to stay at home. Having been admitted to hospital on August 14, Rachel was later forced to give birth by an emergency cesarean on September 2, when she discovered she was welcoming a baby boy into the family. Thomas James Dommermuth III – known as Tommy – was born at 32 and a half weeks, weighing just four pounds and nine ounces. Because of the complications in Tommy's birth, he was instantly brought to the NICU, where Rachel observed him in glass crib with teary eyes. Having spent 28 days in the NICU, Tommy was eventually able to head to his family’s home, where he was able to enjoy hot baths with his mom. On one occasion, on October 20, Rachel took out her phone and recorded Tommy as warm water was poured over his head and a smile rose across his face from ear to ear. Rachel dubbed these smiles "bonus smiles,"given she was able to witness them before what would have been Tommy’s due date.
**ADDITIONAL B-ROLL AVAILABLE ON REQUEST**
Release Status:
TV & Digital
Advertising
Location: New Fairfields, Connecticut, USA
  • Date Acquired10-30-2023
  • Date Filmed10-20-2023
  • OrientationVertical
  • Footage TypeCell Phone
  • Rights TV & Digital, Commercial, Publishing

Preemie Baby Gives Mom 'Bonus Smiles' When Bathed

Order

Family Surprised With Newborn Baby After 113 Day NICU Stay

Great Grandmother Meets Premature Great Grandson On Birthday After NICU

Preemie Twins Hug As Reunited For First Time After Birth In NICU

Boy's Heart Melts As He Meets Baby Sister After NICU Stay

Girl Meets Newborn Sister For First Time After 16 Days In NICU

Couple Surprise Grandparents With Premature Baby Released From NICU

Toddler With Down Syndrome Beams With Joy As He Holds Baby Brother

Proposal Surprise For Mom Taking Baby Home After 156 Days In Hospital

Family Receive Celebratory Guard Of Honor When They Leave NICU After 247 Days

Baby Born At 24 Weeks Weighing Same As Jar Of Spaghetti Sauce Beats The Odds

Grandpa Tears Up After Causing Baby Granddaughter First Big Smiles

95-Year-Old Grandma Screams And Jumps With Joy When She Discovers She's Going To Be Great Grandma

Dad Lays Twins On Guitar And Sings Them To Sleep

Boy With One Hand Receives Book About Boy Just Like Him

Baby Stops Crying When Hearing Parents' Voices For First Time

Toddler Who Spent Months High-Fiving Pregnant Mom's Belly Meets Sibling

Baby Tries To Share Ice Cream But Can't Stop Eating It

Mom Creates Day At Beach In Bathroom For Kids

Parents Surprise Family And Friends With Adopted Baby On Video Calls

Sneaker Loving Dad Finds Pregnancy Test In Shoe Box Surprise

Police K-9 Helps Family With Gender Reveal

Dad Performs Amazing Lion King Parody With Baby Daughter

Baby Can't Tell The Difference Between Dad And Great Uncle

Toddler Copies Pregnant Mom Suffering Morning Sickness

Mom Records Son And Baby Sibling's Adorable Morning Routine

Parents Surprised With Son's Baby News Through Song

Baby Goes Viral Vibing To Music In Car Seat

Toddler Twins Meet Newly-Adopted Biological Sibling For First Time

Great-Great-Grandmother Meets Baby After Six-Month COVID Separation