Melton babies begin life under lockdown

Melton couple Dan and Gemma Broad with their son Arthur, who was born on March 7 EMN-200622-173336001

The last few months have been challenging for most people in the Melton borough, but for parents of new babies there have been a few added complications to it all.

More than 1,500 newborns have been delivered across Leicestershire in the last three months and mums have been denied the usual support from visitors in hospital because of the need to limit the spread of coronavirus.

And when babies have been welcomed into the family home for the first time they have spent much of the time being isolated away from relatives and family friends.

Gemma Broad gave birth to Arthur at St Mary’s Birth Centre in Melton on March 7, just before lockdown, and says she and husband Dan have experienced both highs and lows as new parents coping with living in unprecedented times.

Baby Mollie Mae grant, who was born on March 9, with mum Kirsty, dad Ryan and sister Isabelle EMN-200622-173348001

She told the Melton Times: “The lows are obviously not seeing family and friends or them being able to hold him and also I am missing out on my maternity leave with baby classes.

“I do, however, do a virtual baby sensory class which Arthur loves.

“The ups are that I’ve been able to adapt to this massive life change with the sole focus of my baby. I haven’t felt pressured to be anywhere or do too much.

“I have been able to see family and friends at distance and we are fortunate to have an amazing support network who have helped us where they can with shopping, meals, etc.”

Baby Nala Reed with brother Tristan EMN-200622-173436001

Covid-19 cases were on the rise in Leicestershire and the wider UK when Aimee Reed gave birth to Nala at Leicester Royal Infirmary on March 30.

The newborn is now settling in to life at the family home in Melton with dad Jason and big brother, Tristan.

Aimee said: “It was a bit scary having my baby delivered by midwives in masks, to say the least, but Nala is a great blessing to us.

“Nala is now 12 weeks old so she was born a week into lockdown. We had no visitors for her newborn stage.

Baby Nala Reed with parents Jason and Aimee EMN-200622-173417001

“It has been lonely for us all not being able to cuddle family members, and only being able to show Nala through a window was emotional.”

Another Melton baby starting life in lockdown is Mollie Mae Grant, born to Kirsty and Ryan on March 9, and doted on by big sister, Isabelle.

Parents have in the last week been allowed to register the birth of a baby in Melton for the first time in three months as restrictions ease.

Go to www.leicestershire.gov.uk/registrars/birth-registration/register-a-birth or call 0116 305 6565 for details.