Chichester baby born as UK went into lockdown last year is taking first steps

A Chichester baby born as the country went into the first national lockdown last year has celebrated his first birthday and is nearly walking, his mother has said.
By Joe Stack
Published 27th Mar 2021, 11:35 BST
Updated 30th Mar 2021, 17:06 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Heidi Lyons, from Westhampnett is the co-owner of Number One Chinese in Bracklesham, and said the pandemic had 'stolen so many firsts' for her as a parent.

Heidi's waters broke during the 9am press conference from the government, when Boris Johnson announced the country would be going into lockdown to fight the spread of Covid-19.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As she arrived at St Richard's Hospital, Heidi remembers staff walking around with masks but after giving birth to Monty, this changed overnight and visitors were stopped from coming to the hospital's reception.

Monty Lyons wearing a party hat on his first birthdayMonty Lyons wearing a party hat on his first birthday
Monty Lyons wearing a party hat on his first birthday

Heidi and her husband Wayne welcomed Monty into the world at 1.30am on March 24 last year.

She said: "The hospital staff were amazing. It was a normal birth for me. There were no masks at first and it was only in the morning that you couldn't even go to reception or anything like that. I has the entire ward to myself."

"It hit my business really hard in the beginning and then we went into lockdown and I had a baby - it has been a crazy year."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Monty has been able to meet his grandparents when restrictions were eased last year, but has spent most of his time

A newborn Monty at St Richard's Hospital last yearA newborn Monty at St Richard's Hospital last year
A newborn Monty at St Richard's Hospital last year

"He hasn't met my sisters yet because we have been in an out of lockdown, it's mad. Covid has stolen so many firsts for me as a parent, it has been very surreal but I have been very lucky with my husband being there from start to finish.

"We have done a few FaceTime calls but he then went to nursery at nine months old because I had to go to work as we had to furlough staff.

"He's not used to anybody and he cries when he meets people because he's not used to it. Taking him to nursery for the first time was an experience too because it is really colourful and loud, and different to home."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Spending your first year in lockdown has its benefits too, Heidi said, with Monty spending a lot of time with his big brother Arthur showing him the ropes.

"He is nearly walking now, mainly because he only really knows Arthur and he wants to keep up with him."