Baby Alex and Mum Brooke McLean show why the Miracle Babies Foundation deserves support during Miracle Month of May

TODDLER Alex McLean was born two months premature, with underdeveloped lungs, jaundiced and with low blood sugar, and spent his first month in hospital. Mum Brooke talks about her miracle baby.

Brooke McLean enjoys a cuddle with son Alex, 16 months, who was born two months premature. Picture: Tim Clapin

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TODDLER  Alex McLean may not know it yet but he is his devoted Appin mum Brooke’s miracle baby.

Now a happy and healthy 16-month-old who enjoys playing outside, puppies and going to the park, Alex was born two months premature after Mrs McLean had an emergency caesarean birth at 32 weeks.

What started as a normal pregnancy for the first-time mum took an unexpected turn when Mrs McLean developed pre-eclampsia at 28 weeks.

She and her medical team aimed to get her to 32 weeks before Alex’s delivery because they knew that when she reached that milestone, the baby would be fine.

Alex was born on Boxing Day in 2015 weighing a healthy 2kg in Liverpool Hospital but Mrs McLean said she was only able to have a quick glimpse of her son before he was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit for treatment.

Alex was born with underdeveloped lungs, he was jaundiced and had low blood sugar. He was placed on a CPAP machine for 24 hours to help him breathe.

Brooke McLean and son Alex enjoy some laughs as they promote the Miracle Babies Foundation’s Miracle Month of May fundraiser.

He spent four weeks in hospital undergoing treatment and getting stronger before Mrs McLean and husband Mark were able to bring their precious baby home.

“I had a lot of confidence Alex would be fine. I was very relaxed because 32 weeks was a good milestone to reach,’’ she said.

However Mrs McLean, 28, said the first month of Alex’s life when he was in hospital was a difficult time for her.

“I missed some of Alex’s firsts because he was in hospital and the nurses did most of it,’’ she said.

“I missed the little things like I didn’t get to change his first nappy.’’

She said she was grateful for the hospital care she and Alex received but she was keen to bond with her baby.

“When Alex came home I felt like I was finally able to bond with him because it was difficult to bond in hospital when other people are around,’’ she said.

“When we brought Alex home I felt I could finally enjoy to start being a parent.’’

Mrs McLean is full of praise for the Miracle Babies Foundation and the support and understanding she has received.

She said she wanted to join a mothers’ group but was keen to share her experiences with others who had faced similar hurdles.

“I didn’t want to be around mothers who had had a perfect birth experience but I did want support,’’ she said.

Mrs McLean joined the Miracle Babies Foundation and was full of praise for the support and understanding she continues to receive.

“We support each other through the difficult times, the hard times, the sad times but also the happy times,’’ she said.

Mrs McLean, who has returned to work part-time as an emergency department nurse, said the Miracle Babies Foundation was a great support network and she was keen to help new mums.

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The foundation is running its Miracle Month of May national campaign this month to highlight the struggles faced by more than 48,000 babies and their families each year and to raise funds.

Make a donation at miraclebabies.org.au.