A BATTLING York baby and his brave parents have spent only five days at home together since he was born prematurely in October with a hole in his heart.

Mum-of-one Nicola Hick, 25, was diagnosed with preeclampsia and almost died when her son, Kyle, arrived 15 weeks early.

Doctors rushed the pair into hospital and told the childcare worker she was just half an hour away from a heart attack when she woke up with a swollen face and high blood pressure on the morning she gave birth.

Mum and baby were split up immediately. Kyle was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary, but Miss Hick was forced to stay in York Hospital for three days before she was reunited with the tiny tot, who weighed a mere 1lb 7oz, and was born with a hole in his heart.

Miss Hick, of Queenswood Grove, Acomb, said: "It was awful when he was born.

"He was rushed off when I had him and I didn't see him again until the Wednesday after giving birth on Monday.

"I had to force myself to be strong enough to see him after being unwell."

During his short life, Kyle has undergone four operations, battled a bowel infection and spent time in three different hospitals - York, Hull and Leeds General Infirmary, where he is today.

Despite the distance, Miss Hick has never missed a day by her son's bedside, often relying on lifts and sleeping in charity shelters when no bed is available next to her son.

Her dedication has led to the young mum being nominated by her cousin, Samantha Fletcher, for the York Community Pride Parent of the Year award.

Samantha said: "To be honest I've never met a stronger parent than Nicola, and I've never seen a community or a baby talked about so much.

"All the time, no matter where Kyle was, Nicola was there everyday, all day. All the nurses love her and her great attitude about the situation, she never feels sorry for herself through it all."

Miss Hick added: "It's scary and heartbreaking to see him in pain and upset.

"The hardest feeling is when we can't cuddle him. It's so upsetting.

"I can't wait to take him home and not be told by a nurse when to do something, I will just be able to pick him up."

York Press: Nicola Hicks, with baby KyleNicola Hicks, with baby Kyle
Nicola Hick, with baby Kyle

Doctors allowed Kyle to go home on February 2 but he quickly became ill and was back in York Hospital five days later to receive treatment for a bowel infection.

The baby currently weights 2.6kg (around 5lb 11oz) but Kyle must add another 400g to that before his heart can be operated on.

Only then can Miss Hick and her partner, Martyn Dunkin, 29, consider re-starting their lives together at home.

She said: "He's getting better but we need him to get bigger because he still needs the operation on his heart before he can come home."

The Community Pride Awards are run by The Press in conjunction with City of York Council.

All nominees must live in, or contribute to life in, the City of York Council area. Around three finalists from each category will be invited to the awards ceremony at York Racecourse in October, when the winners will be revealed.

You can make a nomination online at yorkpress.co.uk/pride/. Entries must be submitted by Friday, July 17, and include a picture.