All I want for Christmas is you and a family hug - Berwick Leader
Berwick’s Karin Arnold and baby Nico are getting ready for their Christmas together.It could be the fourth time she will hold her baby, Nico, since he was born at Monash Medical Centre on October 12 – 24 weeks before he was due.
Life has been an epic battle for the premature Berwick baby, who has fought several infections inside his humidicrib.
Nico was given a 50 per cent chance of surviving the labour and a 50 per cent chance of brain damage and breathing complications.
But Mrs Arnold said he was living up to his middle name, Caden, which means ‘‘little warrior’’, and had now doubled weight. She said she hoped to celebrate Christmas Day with a family hug. ‘‘ My husband Geoff hasn’t been able to hold him at all yet, so it will be a very emotional day for us both.’’
The next step for Nico is starting a round of steroids and learning to his 710g birth breathe without nasal prongs. ‘‘Cuddling Nico is the best feeling in the whole world, so I couldn’t ask for anything else this Christmas.’’
Nico’s sister Brooklyn, 2, and Santa Claus will also pop in for a visit.
Nico is expected to remain in hospital until March.