Norwich family of Jack Metcalf prepare for first birthday

Jack Metcalf was born three months early, just three days into his family’s holiday in Turkey last year.

Baby Jack was rushed to intensive care where he was fighting for his life, as soon as he was born (Image: Daniel Metcalf)

Emma Baxter gave birth to the tiny tot on June 30, with the pair rushed to intensive care and Jack weighing only 2.2lbs.

Jack had his heart restarted and was intubated to help him breathe while his mum was rushed into emergency surgery.

Jack’s family say that while developmentally he’s behind because of what happened he’s getting better by the day (Image: Daniel Metcalf)

However, after 34 days abroad the family landed back in the UK and arrived at their home in Mile Cross, on August 1, 2022.

The family’s roller-coaster year continued, including 104 days spent in neonatal intensive care unit nurseries at the Addenbrooke’s and Norfolk & Norwich hospitals, but now Jack’s family is helping him through his journey as things return to normal.

After the family returned home Jack spent 104 days in NICU nurseries from Addenbrookes to NNUH (Image: Daniel Metcalf)

Emma Baxter, 40, said: “He’s certainly making up for everything now and we’re just taking it all in stride.

“Developmentally he’s behind, being 11 months and still not able to hold his head up but he’s mobile and will push himself around wherever he wants to go.

Emma Baxter, then 39-years-old, gave birth to Jack just three days into their Turkish holiday (Image: Daniel Metcalf)

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“About six weeks ago he also started having spasms, which started off little but began to last longer – up to seven minutes.

“We were informed he was having infantile spasms, so he was put on steroids four times a day, with his seizure tablets and hasn’t had one for a while so that’s good – though he may have more in the future.

Emma says the family are taking things in our stride and encouraging Jack as we go (Image: Daniel Metcalf)

“After all he’s been through and to come out the other side, we can certainly help him in his journey now.”

The family set up a GoFundMe to help pay for medical costs, which totalled roughly £60,000 – with more than £30,000 raised so far.

Jack had recently been dealing with infantile spasms but is now recovering well (Image: Daniel Metcalf)

The family spent 34 days in Turkey and cost roughly £60,000 to get back home (Image: Daniel Metcalf)