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Wis. (WMTV/Gray News) – A Wisconsin baby born nearly four months early who weighed 12.5 ounces at birth is now home after 375 days in the NICU
Raelynn Kubiske was born at 23 weeks and six days’ gestation on July 18, 2025. Doctors at UW Health in Madison say she is the smallest surviving baby by weight ever to graduate from their NICU
Raelynn’s parents, Aubree Winnekens and Aaron Kubiske, said Raelynn’s eyes were still fused shut and her skin was see-through when she was born
“It was very unreal,” Aaron said. “Even though you know what’s going on and you know the situation, it still doesn’t feel like something you’re supposed to see.”
Aubree was diagnosed with lupus around age 11, leading to health issues throughout her life because of the autoimmune disease. At 22, she had sepsis twice in one year. She and Aaron became pregnant unexpectedly not long after
“I wouldn’t say there was really anything going through my mind to have her,” Aubree said. “We kind of agreed it was the best option to try. We knew the risks.”
Aubree was admitted to the hospital for about three weeks during the pregnancy
“And then when I got admitted, I ended up going on dialysis because my heart and kidneys started shutting down,” Aubree said. “And for a while, I was doing good, after I had her. The day before I had her was my last dose of dialysis.”
Raelynn went home on July 28, 2026, after 375 days in the hospital
She now requires around-the-clock care, which her parents said requires two people. At the same time, Aubree has been met with a new health emergency
“Now I’m facing those consequences of now needing a transplant,” Aubree said
Aubree said her kidney function is at 8%, and she is on the cusp of starting dialysis again
Raelynn is now 13 months old and weighs 18 pounds
The family temporarily moved to Madison for Raelynn’s care. They plan to resettle in northern Wisconsin, where they are from, after Raelynn’s medical team removes her breathing tube when she turns 2
The family has a GoFundMe to help cover medical expenses for both Raelynn and Aubree. A link is available here
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