'My baby risks dying every time he falls asleep'
New UK|March 27, 2023
Fifteen-month-old Casper has a rare condition that means bedtime could kill him. Mum Stephanie Roberts, 33, is determined to find a cure
LESLEY JONES
'My baby risks dying every time he falls asleep'

Bedtime with a toddler and a baby is always going to be hectic, but for our family, it’s also a matter of life or death. After getting my boys into their pyjamas and reading them a story, I usually have to battle to get Max, three, settled before going into his baby brother Casper’s room to get him down for the night.

The doorbell rings as I try to soothe him, as it has done every night since we brought Casper home from the hospital. The nurse who’s arrived will watch him closely all night, but first we have to strap a breathing mask to his face and an alarmed oxygen monitor to his tiny foot.

Without this help, falling asleep could kill my baby. With his ultra-rare condition, Casper’s little body forgets to breathe and so he’s kept alive by a ventilator.

My pregnancy and Casper’s birth had been stress-free. “We’ll certainly have our hands full with two children under two,” I told my partner James, 33. If only a normal, chaotic family life was all we had to worry about.

Looking at our newborn son tucked up beside my hospital bed, we expected to take him home next morning. In reality, it would be almost 10 months before that day came. As we prepared to leave, nurses noticed Casper was a little cold as they did their routine checks. Then one of them said suddenly, “He doesn’t look right,” and we could see he wasn’t breathing the way he should and was floppy. She quickly took him to get checked but, reassured by the staff, we weren't overly worried.

Within five minutes, all that changed. Casper had been intubated and they believed he was in respiratory distress-in fact, he wasn't breathing at all. James and I were stunned, trying to process this information.

Denne historien er fra March 27, 2023-utgaven av New UK.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra March 27, 2023-utgaven av New UK.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA NEW UKSe alt
'SECRETS DON'T STAY BURIED'
New UK

'SECRETS DON'T STAY BURIED'

Bad Sisters returns for a second series with the Garvey siblings in the spotlight again after the dismembered body of JP's father turns up

time-read
3 mins  |
November 11, 2024
'I WAS KISSING HIM AND RUBBING HIS BELLY!'
New UK

'I WAS KISSING HIM AND RUBBING HIS BELLY!'

Interior Design Masters host Alan Carr chats about meeting Pudsey Bear, Simon Cowell's toilet paper and his own dubious home purchases

time-read
3 mins  |
November 11, 2024
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VAPING
New UK

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VAPING

E-cigarettes have never been more popular, but vaping isn't as risk-free as people might think it is

time-read
4 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Teen murders mum then lures stepdad home to shoot him too
New UK

Teen murders mum then lures stepdad home to shoot him too

Carly Gregg fired her mum's gun as she searched her bedroom for drugs

time-read
4 mins  |
November 11, 2024
'I took one huge gasp and ran in'
New UK

'I took one huge gasp and ran in'

Lifesaver Emily Greenwood tells new how she rescued two people swept out to sea

time-read
4 mins  |
November 11, 2024
'Clair's married to the biggest fool'
New UK

'Clair's married to the biggest fool'

James and Clair Buckley on having fun at home and their hilarious new podcast

time-read
4 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Louise set for best year yet
New UK

Louise set for best year yet

As loved-up pop star Louise Redknapp celebrates her 50th birthday, a source tells new that marriage 'could be on the cards'

time-read
4 mins  |
November 11, 2024
'Surprisingly, I quite like the muscle aches'
New UK

'Surprisingly, I quite like the muscle aches'

Jamie Borthwick reveals how he juggles filming for EastEnders alongside long rehearsal days on Strictly

time-read
3 mins  |
November 11, 2024
It's been on my vision board - I've loved it'
New UK

It's been on my vision board - I've loved it'

Reality star Molly Smith on manifesting her new lingerie campaign and setting up home with boyfriend Tom Clare

time-read
4 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Chloe is ready to 'find happiness'
New UK

Chloe is ready to 'find happiness'

After her turbulent split from James Haskell, Chloe Madeley is learning to love herself again, a source tells new

time-read
3 mins  |
November 11, 2024