One of the things I wanted to know after Davey was born was what he would look like. I had barely a moment to gaze into his eyes before he was whisked off to the Special Care Nursery, then another too brief visit a few hours later when we were told for the first time that they suspected a “chromosomal defect.” The on-call pediatrician wouldn’t tell us what specifically she suspected, though we asked point-blank about Down syndrome. It was an unwitting L&D nurse who broke the news to us in the hallway.
This post is not about the emotional anguish of that first night of knowing, amid the terror of having our sick newborn sent by emergency transport to a larger hospital in the middle of the night. What I want to focus on is my need to know, in those first hours and days, what my son would look like.
I was eager to see pictures of babies with Down syndrome. I’d never seen any (to my knowledge) in real life and had only stereotyped images in my head. And I just couldn’t connect those images to my flesh-and-blood baby.
I’ve noticed some people find this blog based on doing a search for “babies trisomy 21″ or “what do babies with down syndrome look like” — that sort of thing. So for those of you searching and wondering, I have decided to post pictures of Davey as a baby, mere months old. (I don’t have any really good newborn pictures since his face was covered with tubes and medical tape.)
So that’s what my son looked like as a baby. Your child with Down syndrome will not look like Davey exactly - he or she will have some similar features but ultimately will look more, you know, related to you… and to your spouse and your other kids and your Second Cousin Henry’s third boy.
But dang if there just isn’t something about those cute little faces…… yum!
10 responses so far ↓
1 Jen @ amazingtrips // Feb 5, 2008 at 1:49 pm
What a beautiful baby boy.
2 Kelly // Feb 23, 2008 at 10:43 am
He is amazing. Thanks for sharing.
3 Chrissie // Jun 5, 2008 at 8:41 am
He is absaloutly beautiful!! My sons downs and i wouldnt have him any other way xox
4 Michelle // Jun 28, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Your son is adorable. My daughter is 2 months with DS and I am sitting here wondering what other Down Syndrome children look like. Thank You.
5 Jill // Jul 2, 2008 at 10:44 pm
I am wondering why I am crying right now. He is just perfect. I get emotional thinking about how hard we have to protect our kids. They are so inocent.
6 Marcia // Jul 20, 2008 at 12:27 am
He IS absolutely adorable and beautiful… and every bit as lovable as every other baby in the world. Enjoy! Life is too short and we all have our shortcomings. Give him some extra love from all of us here.
7 penny // Sep 2, 2008 at 5:13 pm
hi
thanks for sharing pictures , my son is nearly 8 months old and has downs like your son .. i have to say your son is a cutie .. i love and adore my baby and thank my lucky stars everyday for having him .. he is bright and intelligant .. so mums lets keep positive and strong x
8 Jay // Oct 6, 2008 at 10:35 pm
IT is so great to see such strength, my newborn son is suspected of downs and I am scared. It was nice to feel the joy comming from you all, it has brought me a smile in this difficult time.
9 Amy // Nov 1, 2008 at 2:13 pm
I have a daughter who is suspected of DS also and am trying to find some info since dr.’s won’t be of any help and are showing no concern.
Thank you.
10 Bernie // Nov 1, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Hi
my husband and I are expecting a DS baby in less than 4 weeks and I have to admit that seeing our babys face for the first time really frightens me.
We have been told that we are having a girl and I just want everyone to love and accept her as they would any normal child. Photos of newborns with DS have really helped me as her mum to be. Thankyou for your photos, he is just gorgeous.
Leave a Comment