Tiny Bobby Judkins was born at Dorset County Hospital almost 24 weeks early - right on the edge of life. He was immediately rushed to hospital in Portsmouth, then Southampton as doctors battled to save him. The little fighter has now come to Portland much to the delight of parents Lilly Pearce, a teacher, and Jay Judkins, a postman.
Lilly, 25, said: "We never thought we would bring our boy home but after 314 days we did." She explained how she faced a difficult childbirth when she went into labour 23 weeks and six days early. She gave birth to Bobby on Wednesday, September 27, 2023.
He cried, despite his parents being told he wouldn't due to his underdeveloped lungs. He weighed just 577 grams - just over half a bag of sugar - and was about as large as his father's hand. Lilly and Jay were told he was not expected to survive the night, but he persevered.
Accompanied by Jay, also 25, and her mum, mother and baby were quickly transferred from DCH to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth which has a unit specialising in micro-premature babies. Lilly said: "You are so scared that you are not sure what is going on. It doesn't feel real.
" Bobby holding his mum's hand (Image: Lilly Pearce) Read more: Emotional goodbye as owners bid farewell to business - with new owners announced Lilly added: "He did well for the first 24 - 32 hours, but then he developed sepsis, which resulted in grade three and four bleeds on his brain. "They told us he would not make it. That there was nothing th.