William Foon, one of the smallest premature babies ever born in Tasmania, now healthy and thriving

William Foon weighed barely 450g when he was born just 25 weeks into his mother’s pregnancy last year – but the little warrior has well and truly defied the odds.

After being born prematurely last year, little William Foon is continuing to defy the odds and is now thriving at 17 months despite a challenging start to his life. Picture: Rosella Pike

The smallest premature baby boy in Tasmania’s history to survive beyond his birth, little William Foon has surprised his parents in the best way possible, growing into a happy and healthy toddler despite the odds being stacked against him.

Born just 25 weeks into his mother Zoe Reynolds’ pregnancy, William’s weight has increased from a tiny 452g to almost 8kg today.

He is one of a handful of premature babies born at a weight less than 500g in Tasmania and the smallest among the boys to have survived.

After being born prematurely last year, little William Foon is continuing to defy the odds and is now thriving at 17 months despite a challenging start to his life. Pictured here with mum Zoe Reynolds. Picture: Rosella Pike

Ms Reynolds and her partner, Rohan Foon, who live in Launceston, credit the “amazing” staff at the Royal Hobart Hospital with helping to give William the best chance at life, particularly Professor Peter Dargaville, a specialist in the Neonatal and Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.

“We just cannot believe [William’s] doing as well as he is at this point,” Ms Reynolds said.

“We were given the worst case scenario before he was born, and 17 months later he’s here and he’s thriving.”

Doctors were initially concerned about William’s lungs, but his mother said he hadn’t experienced any significant health problems since the first few weeks of his life.

Baby William Foon, who was born at the Royal Hobart Hospital in July 2023 at just 452g. Picture: Supplied

In the wake of his birth, it took about eight weeks for doctors to express confidence that William was going to live.

Ms Reynolds says that was an agonising period of time for her and Mr Foon.

“We’re just so grateful. Rohan and I look at each other every day and think, ‘How has this happened? How do we have this beautiful little boy?’” she said.

“If we were anywhere else, I really just don’t think that William would be here. We are just so grateful to the Royal [Hobart Hospital] and particularly to Peter Dargaville, and all the other doctors that helped us along the way, and obviously the nurses, as well, for their support.”

After being born prematurely last year, little William Foon is continuing to defy the odds and is now thriving at 17 months despite a challenging start to his life. Pictured here with Santa Claus. Picture: Rosella Pike

Ms Reynolds said she and her partner had formed “lifelong connections” with the medical staff who had supported them through the most difficult experience of their lives.

“They’re just amazing people. So we’re just so thrilled that we live where we live and have access to this amazing care,” she said.

Santa Claus is preparing to deliver a water play table to William as a Christmas present and the toddler was delighted to participate in a festive photo shoot recently, embracing the Christmas spirit from an early age.

Originally published as William Foon, one of the smallest premature babies ever born in Tasmania, now healthy and thriving