Oh, Baby! Half-Pound Infant Weighs In At 3rd Smallest In World

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — A baby recently born at County USC Medical Center is giving a whole new meaning to "little bundle of joy."

Melinda Star Guido was born weighing barely half a pound, making her the world's third smallest infant ever recorded born.

She was born 14 weeks early, on Aug. 31. Her actual due date was Dec. 15.

The baby's parents, Haydee Ibarra and Yovani Guido, say they know their daughter is a fighter.

"She was always fighting, and all the nurses were saying that she was really feisty," Ibarra said. "She was always fighting for her life."

Photos from immediately after her birth show Melinda's parents putting a hand alongside her to indicate she was barely the size of a palm.

Dr. Rangasamy Ramanathan, chief of the hospital's neonatology department said he had his doubts whether Melinda was going to survive.

"The first three or four days, I was worried if this baby was going to make it," said "So every day, more than once we spoke to the family and said we take it minute by minute."