Toddler returns home with family after spending nearly 2 years at Blythedale Children’s Hospital in Valhalla, NY

VALHALLA, New York (WABC) – Almost two years after his birth, toddler Nathaniel is finally making his way home.

Nathaniel Flores was born prematurely at just 26 weeks old and weighing 350 grams along with his brother at Blythedale Children’s Hospital. His brother died shortly after birth, but Nathaniel fought on.

“I’m just grateful to be able to spend time with him,” said Sandya Flores, Nathaniel’s mother. “I mean, he has opinions and feelings and he lets them be known. And so I’m looking forward to the playful time and just having fun.”

Getting to this day was a team effort – Nathaniel’s strength and the work of his doctors and nurses. Nathaniel was on a ventilator with very high settings and his ventilation strategy had to be changed very often and carefully. He also had to gain weight to overcome this problem.

“Letting him run around on the living room floor and watching a ball game with him,” added Jorge Flores, Nathaniel’s father. “Those are the things I look forward to.”

Sandya and Jorge Flores spent a lot of time preparing for Nathaniel’s eventual return home and were able to prepare at the hospital’s education center for parents and caregivers.

“We have a simulated home environment where they learn how to set up a baby’s room and how to care for their child in the home environment, which is very different from the hospital environment,” says Jill Wegener, chief nursing officer at Blythedale Children’s Hospital.

The Flores family says there have been ups and downs in their journey with Nathaniel, but thanks to the support of those around them, they have never felt alone.

“I almost feel like we had more support than a parent going to their newborn,” Sandya Flores admitted. “You get a newborn and you’re sent home after two days. Now we’ve probably had way too much support. People have been holding our hands for 22 months and I think we’re going to get by. I think we’re ready.”

READ MORE: 12-year-old boy helps deliver his aunt’s baby with help from 911 dispatcher

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