Coffs Harbour parents open up on ‘miracle’ babies and lockdown kids

The Coffs Coast’s cutest baby competition showcased more than just cute smiles with parents opening up about some of their toughest challenges and greatest joys.

Kalina Ewings and Dan Sauerbier with son Hudson. The birth of Hudson brought much joy to their entire family after the death of Kalina's brother in the same year. Photo: Nambucca Birth Photographer Doula

Not only did the Coffs Coast Advocate’s cutest baby competition unearth some delightful tots, it also highlighted the challenges many new parents faced and the incredible impact the birth of a child can have on those around them.

Here is a just a few of those stories.

Frederick Francis Cowling

Frederick Francis Cowling has come along in “leaps and bounds” since being born three months premature.

Weighing just 574 grams at birth, Freddie and his mother Emma Cowling went through an incredible ordeal when the young boy was delivered three months premature.

Ms Cowling found out she was pregnant at 16 weeks, after presenting to hospital with swollen feet. The doctors soon discovered she was anaemic and had a heart condition impacting both her own health and that of Freddie’s.

Four weeks later she was sent to John Hunter Hospital for scans to make sure they were both OK.

“That’s when I was told that I wasn’t going home,” Ms Cowling said.

“I was going to be admitted into John Hunter because bubs was in foetal growth restriction and blood flow restriction and there was a chance I would have to have had an emergency C-section at 20 weeks.”

Emma was later transferred to Royal Prince Alfred to be closer to family, and ten weeks after finding out she was pregnant, Freddie was born. The challenges didn’t end there however as Freddie spent twelve weeks in intensive care, eight of those on a machine to help him breathe.

Emma Cowling with son Frederick. Freddie spent months in hospital after he was born.

After another eight weeks in hospital, including a hospital transfer so specialists could operate on two hernias, Freddie finally made it home to Coffs Harbour.

“He is four kilos now, smiling and talking,” she said.

Ms Cowling said it was “hard to explain” her feelings when she reflected on Freddie’s challenges and progress since then.

“Considering I was told there was a chance he wouldn’t survive – he is just a miracle baby really.”

Hudson James Sauerbier

Hudson James Sauerbier has brought joy to the entire Ewings family.

With his “infectious laugh” and “beautiful curls”, Kalina Ewings and Dan Sauerbier’s son Hudson has brought much joy into their world and meant so much to their entire family.

Ms Ewings said his birth came at “one of the hardest times” her family had been through following the death of her brother by suicide in the same year.

“He definitely brought a heap of happiness and whole lot of love back into my entire family‘s lives,” she said.

Kalina Ewings and Dan Sauerbier with son Hudson. The birth of Hudson brought much joy to their entire family after the death of Kalina's brother in the same year. Picture: Nambucca Birth Photographer Doula

Ms Ewings added that coming from a family of six children, with her brother the only boy, Hudson’s arrival took on extra significance. Especially as they didn’t know the gender before his birth.

“James being my only brother and the way in which he died was a massive shock to us all,” Ms Ewings said.

“The birth of a new child and having a little boy was absolutely what we all needed – whether we aware of that or not.

“He brought my whole family a new love.”

Spencer Owen-Davis

Spencer Owen-Davis has helped his family through some tough times.

At just nine months, Spencer has had a profound impact on Vanessa Faulkner and Doryn Owen-Davis’ lives.

Ms Faulkner said the couple found out they were pregnant just before lockdown in 2020 and through the “dark time” of 2020 Spencer continued to bring much joy to their lives.

“Having a baby in 2020 was a different experience to my other children,” Ms Faulkner said.

“Knowing we were bringing a baby into the world at such a crazy and scary time was quite a lot to take in.

“Having no visitors at the hospital was quite lonely.”

Vanessa Faulkner and Doryn Owen-Davis with son Spencer.

Then, after a recent miscarriage, Ms Faulkner said their “happy little man doesn't realise how much he has saved me” during the heartbreak.

“Earlier this year we found out we were expecting again, but I lost the baby at 10 weeks,” she said.

“That little boy’s smiling face and cuddles would warm my heart and make each day easier.

“He is the most amazing little man, he lights up a room with his smile and is always so happy to see his family.”

Edward Devery

Edward Devery was born a day after the country was locked down in 2020.

Lindsay and Sarah Devery’s son Edward was born the day after the entire country went into lockdown in 2020. Like so many others they had to endure the challenges of raising a newborn under strict health restrictions.

“It was hard because I couldn’t take my daughter in to see him (in hospital). That was obviously hard for Sarah,” Mr Devery said.

“It was a bit of a battle, even little things like going to see the doctor was really hard because he was born in that Covid period.”

Lindsay and Sarah Devery with Edward and Ahana. The couple's extended family lives in New Zealand and only Sarah’s parents have been able to meet Edward.

Their situation was made all the more tough with both their family networks residing in their home country of New Zealand. Since the border bubble opened only Sarah’s parents have been able to meet Edward in person and the family have had to cancel their trip home in November.

“It has been a bit of a struggle but that’s life unfortunately,” Mr Devery said.

With family support unavailable in Coffs Harbour, Mr Devery, who works at Jetty Dive, says owners Debbie and Mike Davey have been a great help.

“Mike and Deb have just about been like grandparents to the kids which has been really cool. They have been really good,” he said.