PARENTS from Helston whose baby son died from an infection are urging parents and carers to set boundaries for their newborn babies following the tragedy.

Sarah Doolin and Craig Pollard’s son Ezrah died from the bacterial disease, late onset Group B Strep, at just 19 days old.

Ezrah died from the bacterial disease, late onset Group B Strep, at just 19 days old
Ezrah died from the bacterial disease, late onset Group B Strep, at just 19 days old

Sarah, who is a secondary school English teacher, did not recognise the seriousness of Ezrah’s symptoms at the time. She is now sharing her story to help other families recognise symptoms of infection.

Sarah said: “On the day he became unwell I thought he had a cold or even Covid as he was feeding less well, had an unusually high-pitched cry and later developed breathing sounds. I now know these are key signs of infection. I was looking at the signs and symptoms in isolation as Ezrah had fed really well the day and night before he became unwell, so when he wouldn’t feed well in the morning, I wasn’t alarmed. I really felt I was overreacting and being dramatic.”

Later that evening, Sarah took Ezrah’s temperature and, when it had risen, the family called NHS 111. After speaking to the operator, they organised an ambulance, but it took so long to arrive that Sarah and Craig decided to drive Ezrah themselves. Upon arrival he was rushed straight to resuscitation, where doctors identified signs of sepsis. He was transferred to a specialist children’s hospital, but his infection had caused widespread brain damage due to meningitis, and they were told it was unsurvivable.

Sarah is now sharing her story to help other families recognise symptoms of infection
Sarah is sharing her story to help other families recognise symptoms of infection

Sarah and Craig Pollard are now supporting The Lullaby Trust’s Infection Prevention Week campaign between October 19 and 25. This year’s theme from the charity is ‘your baby, your boundaries’, highlighting that parents and carers wanting to protect their baby from infection, particularly in the first few weeks of life when babies are most vulnerable, is never something they need to justify.

The Lullaby Trust says parents should feel empowered to set boundaries confidently, without guilt or worrying about whether other people might be offended. The charity also want parents and carers to learn the signs of infection in babies and feel confident seeking medical help when they are concerned.

Sarah said: “I only discovered The Lullaby Trust’s Baby Check app, which checks for signs of illness, only after Ezrah’s death. When I retrospectively used the app to assess his symptoms, it advised: “Go to hospital, call 999”. I wish I’d known it existed then. Knowledge is power. Being told more about infection upon discharge from hospital, or the midwife telling us about the Baby Check app during pregnancy, could’ve saved Ezrah’s life.”

Sarah is also encouraging families to talk openly about infection prevention measures and boundaries around newborn babies.

Following Ezrah’s death, Sarah and Craig took additional precautions when their daughter Isabelle was born three years ago, limiting visitors, insisting on thorough hand washing and reducing unnecessary handling.

Sarah said: “If you really want to show your love and support to the parents then I would suggest making freezer meals or running errands. The wellbeing of the baby must be the first priority.”

She added: “Parents should be encouraged to share what they are comfortable with and the priority should be the baby’s wellbeing rather than the feeling of pressure to hand them around to please others.”