Geelong couple’s plea to parents after their baby girl died suddenly of natural causes days out from Christmas

 

A young mum grieving the sudden death of her healthy and happy baby girl days out from Christmas has opened up about her unimaginable heartbreak.

New parents Alex Reed, 29, and Pat Willis, 28, from Geelong in Victoria were excited about their first Christmas with their five-month-old baby, Isla Addison.

Their world came crashing down on December 8 when Ms Reed found little Isla lifeless and unresponsive shortly after a morning feed.

Isla couldn’t be revived, despite the frantic efforts of her mum, a neighbour and paramedics.

As she prepares for Isla’s funeral on Thursday, an emotional Ms Reed bravely spoke out about her loss in the hope that no other parent goes through a similar nightmare

‘It feels like our purpose has been taken away,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.

 

‘I’m taking things day by day, minute by minute.

‘Some days are easier than others.’

December 8 started like any other day.

‘Isla had her morning feed after a full night’s sleep, as usual,’ Ms Reed recalled.

‘We dozed off afterwards and when I got up to give her another feed, she didn’t look right.

‘I tried to wake her but she didn’t respond. I called triple-0 and raced outside screaming to my neighbour for help.

‘We then both performed CPR until the ambulance arrived.’

She praised the efforts of paramedics who did everything they could to save Isla.

‘I begged them to not stop but they had to at some point,’ she said.

‘It was an unnatural feeling that no other parent should go through.’

Her fiancé and family raced home to spend their final precious moments with Isla where they rocked, cuddled and sang ‘You Are My Sunshine’ to her until the coroner arrived.

Isla was a healthy baby who had just learned how to roll over and melted the hearts of everyone she met.

She also loved Bluey and Winnie the Pooh.

‘She was the happiest little munchkin ever, we called her our perfect little lamb,’ Ms Reed said.

‘She had the gummiest smile and biggest belly laugh.

‘She was my saviour. Our family had been broken but when Isla came along, she healed everyone’s souls.

‘Everyone who laid eyes on Isla loved her and she loved everyone.’

Christmas Day next Monday will be far different to the one the couple had been dreaming of.

‘We’d been planning to put up the Christmas tree on the day Isla died,’ she said.

‘We had everything ready and were really looking forward to it.

‘Instead, we’ll be grieving as a family.’

It’s understood Isla died of natural causes.

The couple are now waiting for test results which will reveal whether Isla had a genetic condition or died from SIDS.

‘She was healthy and eating with no sign of weakness, illness or anything untoward at all,’ Ms Reed said.

She now wishes they had used an ankle monitor which tracks a baby’s heart rate – as she issued a powerful plea to other parents.

‘That monitor may have saved Isla’s life,’ she said.

‘I want other parents to be aware that one minute you have your child and the next minute, they’re gone.

‘I urge new parents to monitor their babies closely as I don’t want anyone else to feel the pain we do right now.

‘I want everyone to know that these things happen more than you think.’

The couple plan to set up a charity in Isla’s honour and become advocates for the condition from which Isla died.

Friends and the wider Geelong community have rallied around the heartbroken couple.

‘Right now we ask community to gather round in support by donating anything they are able to as every little bit will add up and help Alex & Pat by giving them the space to really be in their grief,’ an online fundraiser – which has already raised almost $8,500 – states.

‘We thank you all in advance as these funds will be used to help Alex and Pat keep up with their bills and rent while they are unable to work as they come to terms with this unimaginable loss and for therapy bills to support their process of healing and coping during this unbearable time.’

Ms Reed and her fiancé thank the first responders, police and paramedics who tried to save Isla.

The couple are also grateful for the support received.

‘Both of us can’t work at the moment but the rent and bills don’t stop,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.