Lauren Newton and Matt Welsh welcome son Alby, named after his grandfather
The name of Lauren Newton and husband Matt Welsh’s sixth child has pulled on the heart strings of the wider Newton family. Here’s what they named their newest addition.
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Named after his TV legend grandfather, little Alby, Lauren Newton’s sixth child, was born on Thursday.
Showbiz royal Patti Newton said her grandson is doing very well after being born seven weeks early.
“The Newton genes are pretty strong,” Patti laughed when revealing the wonderful baby news to the Herald Sun on Friday.
“He has the big round head and the big mouth.
“I said that to Bert and he said don’t call me a big mouth.”
Patti said husband Bert, who was born Albert Newton, was always called “Alby” by his great mates Graham Kennedy and Don Lane.
Old Moonface is now 82.
“He was so emotional when I told him they named him Alby after him. Bert was just tickled pink.”
Lauren and her former Olympic swimmer husband Matt Welsh are also parents to Sam, 11, daughters Eva, nine and Lola, six, son Monty, two, and 18-month-old daughter Perla.
The Newtons have welcomed the joyous baby news amid Melbourne in stage four lockdown.
“In such an awful situation, it’s great to have some good news for a change,” Patti said.
Suffering complications early in the pregnancy, Patti said Lauren, 40, was admitted to Frances Perry Maternity Hospital in Parkville for bedrest 11 weeks ago.
Coronavirus restrictions meant Lauren was unable to see her children while in hospital for almost three months.
In July Lauren posted an emotional tribute, saying she was missing her “gorgeous babies.”
“It’s been 5 weeks so far of not seeing them while I’m in hospital due to pregnancy complications. I miss them so much but Matt and Mum and Dad have done an incredible job. Also thanks to my beautiful friends for all the support,” she posted with a photograph of the children at daughter Perla’s christening,
Patti admitted homeschooling and caring for the five children was not easy, especially after downsizing some years ago into a three bedroom empty nester.
But the Newtons are survivors and 75-year-old Patti is ever positive, saying the family had it down to a tight schedule of homeschooling and sharing care arrangements while Lauren was cared for in hospital.
“Because of the coronavirus she hasn’t been able to see her kids, which has been just devastating for her,” Patti said.
“And it’s all so different this time around; no visiting, no flowers.”
“He was a born a little undercooked, as they say, but everyone is doing really well now, mum and son and we can’t wait to have them all home.”