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Miracle Baby's First Christmas at Home After 500 Days
23 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Bertie Melly, born at 24 weeks, spent over 500 days in hospital care.
- He underwent five operations due to necrotising enterocolitis, a severe intestinal condition.
- Now home in Bromley, Bertie is thriving and preparing for his first Christmas.
A baby boy named Bertie Melly is preparing for his first Christmas at home after an extended hospital stay of 547 days. Born prematurely at just 24 weeks in May 2024, Bertie weighed only 1lb 10oz and required intensive medical care, including five operations for necrotising enterocolitis, a severe intestinal condition.
Bertie spent his initial six months in neonatal intensive care before moving to Evelina London Children's Hospital. His parents, Phoebe and Callum Melly, stayed nearby to remain close throughout his challenging journey. Despite numerous procedures and a 'short gut' from losing 70% of his intestine, Bertie is now home and developing well.
The family expresses immense gratitude to the Evelina London team for saving Bertie's life on multiple occasions. While he still requires tube-feeding and IV nutrition, the goal is to increase his solid food intake and eventually remove his medical lines, enabling a more normal life.
