Remington Hayze Johnson may just be a few months old, but he is already showing everyone around him that he's one special little human. According to his dad's TikTok account, the little one was born four months early and given just a 21% chance of survival. But now, at 3 1/2 months old, he's clearly defying the odds and going viral thanks to a sweet video his dad recently shared on TikTok.
Daniel Johnson uploaded the video on December 20
Since then, it's earned well over 2.1 million views and an outpouring of support.
In the video, Johnson cradles his son in his arms and gently sings a worship song while staring deep into the newborn's eyes. As he sings, the little one's hand raises slowly into the air as if he's silently praising God in his own special way.
The image is pretty heartwarming …
@fritojohnson89 Remington Hayze Johnson. Proof that God is faithful. Born 4 months early and given a 21% chance of survival. Today we are 2 1/2 months old giving God all the praise He deserves. #worship #nicu #nicubaby #dadsinging #elevationworship ♬ original sound – Daniel Johnson
"That moment you're singing a worship song to your NICU baby and he raises his hand in worship," Johnson captioned the video.
At the time, Remington was just 2 1/2 months old
And although he did need some assistance breathing, the little one was clearly doing much better than doctors thought he would.
In the caption, Johnson called his son "Proof that God is faithful." Later, when speaking to Storyful, the proud father said that the newborn had “amazed doctors with his strength" and will to live.
In the comments, people couldn't hold back their emotions
"This has me in tears!" commented one TikToker. "Anyone who sees this has to believe there is a mighty God!! Bless his little heart!"
Another person called it "one of the most beautiful NICU baby videos I’ve ever seen."
The video especially hit home with other parents who've been through similar challenges with their babies.
"NICU mama here," wrote one user. "This has me all mushy in tears."
"Keep singing Dad!" added someone else. "So many days we worshipped in my sons hospital room … Those were some of the hardest days, but how grateful I am to God for meeting us through the healing."
Roughly 383,979 babies are born premature in the U.S. each year
That winds up being about 10.5% of the total number of babies born each year in the country, according to the March of Dimes. That said, preterm birth rates vary widely throughout the U.S., and reports show that there's an obvious racial gap.
Between 2018 and 2020, preterm births were highest among Black infants (14.2%) and American Indian/Alaska Natives (11.6%). This was followed by Hispanic babies (9.8%), white babies (9.2%), and Asian/Pacific Islanders (8.8%).
Common risk factors for a preterm birth are vast and wide-ranging
According to the March of Dimes, data shows that delivering early is often triggered by "multiple, interacting biologic and environmental factors," including maternal age, obesity, birth spacing, a mother's history of smoking, and whether the child is part of a multiples birth.
It can also be linked to the quality of a mother's health insurance. The March of Dimes found that in 2021, about 1 in 9 women of childbearing age (11.2%) was uninsured in the U.S.
"Health care before, during, and after pregnancy can help identify and manage conditions that contribute to preterm birth," the nonprofit states on its website.
A November 2022 report card gave the U.S. a D+ rating for premature births
Much of that was due to the spike in early births, which are said to be at an all-time high and have been steadily increasing since 2014.
Luckily, we now know much more about caring for preemies than we did years ago. Most NICU wards are fully equipped with devoted staff members and state-of-the-art monitoring systems to make sure little ones get round-the-clock care.
Clearly, that's been happening with little Remington. And although his dad has yet to post an update on his progress, we're hoping he's stronger than ever and on his way home soon, if he hasn't already arrived.
