A couple from Frome has taken a stand alongside a national campaign encouraging parents not to hesitate in seeking medical advice for unwell babies—after a social media video literally saved their newborn son’s life.
This timely warning coincides with The Lullaby Trust’s Infection Prevention Week, running from Saturday, October 19 to Friday, October 25. New polling reveals that nearly one in three parents in the South West have been reluctant to contact health professionals about their babies out of fear of wasting NHS resources.
The survey, conducted by Censuswide on behalf of The Lullaby Trust, uncovered widespread hesitation among parents.
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Matt and Laura Bradbury-Stewart’s experience exemplifies the importance of acting fast. When their three-day-old son, Sam, became unusually sleepy and refused to feed, they were prompted by an Instagram post from The Lullaby Trust to check his temperature. The video featured a bereaved mother sharing the heartbreaking story of her baby’s death due to infection.
Laura explains, “Sam had been sleepy but feeding well at home, but on the third day he wouldn’t wake or take milk. Scrolling through Instagram, I saw a video from The Lullaby Trust where a mother talked about her baby Joshua’s low temperature before he died from an infection. That inspired us to check Sam immediately.”
Upon discovering Sam’s dangerously low temperature, the Bradbury-Stewarts contacted their midwife, who insisted on an urgent hospital visit. During the journey, they grew concerned about Sam’s breathing and called an ambulance. At the hospital, Sam was quickly diagnosed with breathing apneas and admitted to neonatal intensive care, where he underwent a week of treatment with antibiotics.
Laura reflects, “Had we not been aware because of The Lullaby Trust’s campaign, I might not have checked his temperature in time. Sharing our story now could save another baby’s life, and that means everything to us.”
Jenny Ward, Chief Executive of The Lullaby Trust, underscores the survey’s findings, highlighting that many parents fear being seen as over-cautious. “No parent ever wastes NHS time when it comes to their baby’s health,” she says. “Medical professionals would rather examine a baby with no problems than risk missing a serious condition that has worsened due to delay.”
Ward also stresses that babies can become seriously ill very quickly and recommends the free Baby Check app as a useful tool for parents to evaluate symptoms and decide when to seek medical help.
The Lullaby Trust’s Infection Prevention Week aims to empower families with knowledge and confidence to seek early advice and recognize infection signs. This campaign offers practical guidance and features a dedicated webpage to help parents communicate effectively with health professionals.