This record-breaking birth stunned staff – and that wasn’t the only surprise

Two babies born hours apart at one hospital show just how different birth stories can be.

Facebook/Cayuga Health, A Member of Centralus Health

Published: February 27, 2026 at 10:44 AM

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On the same day, just hours apart, maternity staff delivered their largest baby on record, then welcomed a newborn less than a third of his size.

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The two babies, born on 31 January at Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca, have become a touching reminder that when it comes to birth, there is no single version of “normal”.

The baby who made hospital history

Earlier that day, parents Terrica and Shawn welcomed their son, Shawn Jr., who tipped the scales at 13lb, making him the biggest baby ever born at the hospital.

Although the couple had a feeling he might be on the larger side, the final number still came as a shock.

“We knew he’d be bigger, but we didn’t expect this,” Terrica said in a statement shared by the hospital. “He’s already wearing 3 to 6 month diapers and clothes. It feels like I skipped straight to having a 3-month-old.”

Shawn Jr. joins two brothers and a sister at home. Despite his record-breaking size, both mum and baby are doing well.

How unusual is a 13lb baby?

According to the Mayo Clinic, around 9 percent of babies worldwide are born weighing more than 8lb 13oz, a condition known as fetal macrosomia. A birth weight of 13lb is far less common.

Several factors can influence a baby’s size at birth, including:

In some cases, however, there is no clear explanation.

Hours later, a very different arrival

Later that same day, in the very same maternity unit, parents Chloe and Victor welcomed their daughter, Margot, who weighed 4lb at birth.

Though dramatically smaller than Shawn Jr., Margot was healthy. Chloe described the shared birthday moment as unexpectedly special.

“It was really charming and such a good reminder that babies come in all shapes and sizes,” she said. “I’m feeling great and so thankful for the care we received from the doctors, nurses, and midwives.”

When the hospital shared a photo of the two newborns side by side, it quickly captured attention online. For many parents, it struck a chord, especially those who have experienced either end of the birth weight spectrum.

“Every baby and every birth story is unique”

Robyn Torgalski, system director of maternal child health at Centralus Health, which Cayuga Health is part of, said the moment reflected the range maternity teams support every day.

These two births are a wonderful reminder that every baby and every birth story is unique.

Robyn Torgalski, system director of maternal child health at Centralus Health

She added that whether a newborn weighs four pounds or thirteen, teams are prepared to provide the highest level of care to both baby and family, and said they are proud to support families through such important milestones.

Record breaker: the heaviest baby ever recorded

While Shawn Jr.’s birth set a new record for his hospital, the heaviest baby ever recorded was born in the United States in 1879. Anna Haining Bates, born Anna Haining Swan, who measured 241.3 cm tall, gave birth to a boy weighing 9.98 kilograms, or 22lb, at her home in Seville, Ohio, on 19 January 1879. The baby measured 71.12 cm in length, making him the longest baby ever recorded. He was not officially named and was referred to as “Babe”. Sadly, he died 11 hours after birth. His father, Martin van Buren Bates, later wrote: “He was 28” tall, weighed 22 lbs and was perfect in every respect. He looked at birth like an ordinary child of six months”. Anna and Martin, who were known as “The Tallest Couple Alive”, still hold the Guinness World Records title for the tallest married couple ever, with a combined height of 477.52 cm. There have been other reports of exceptionally heavy babies over the years, including births in Italy, Brazil and Turkey, although not all have been officially verified.

What determines birth weight?

For pregnant mums wondering where their own baby might land on the scales, it is worth remembering that many factors are outside your control.

Birth weight can be influenced by:

Weight alone never tells the whole story. Smaller babies often thrive with the right support, and bigger babies may simply reflect family traits.

For parents navigating those early newborn days, when comparison can creep in quickly, this story is a gentle reminder that there is no single “right” size.

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Two babies, one hospital, one unforgettable day, and proof that every birth story truly is one of a kind.

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