Around 80,000 babies every year are born premature or sick, and many are in hospital for months. And as if the heartache wasn't bad enough, such hospital stays can cost worried parents a small fortune.

A new survey from the premature baby charity BLISS shows that, on average, parents are spending an extra £189 per week during the time their baby's in hospital.

The average total spend for parents was £1,885 - but in some cases the extra cost was over £15,000, on top of all the usual costs associated with having a baby.

Some of the significant costs were travel to and from hospital (the average weekly cost was £62), food away from home (average weekly cost £24), and lost earnings.

Similar costs are also likely to be suffered by parents of any child in hospital, not just babies.

But in addition, because many mothers had used a large chunk of their maternity leave before their premature babies had even arrived home from hospital, those surveyed were sometimes forced to either take unpaid leave, find childcare, or give up work altogether.

Amy Edmunds of BLISS, says: "These are all costs that are almost as unexpected as the baby's arrival often was, but they can have long-term consequences for the families involved."

BLISS found that 60 per cent of parents got family or friends to look after their other children while they were at the hospital, but for those who couldn't, the average cost of childcare for the period was around £552.

"Such childcare is a cost that's often not been considered - but if parents can't rely on family and friends to help out, it's hard to avoid," says Edmunds.

Nearly half of parents (44 per cent) lost earnings through having to take time off work, with the average total loss being a hefty £2,457.

Losses are felt particularly by those who are self-employed, as the Correia family discovered when baby Indie was born at 25 weeks.

Tiny Indie, who weighed just 1lb 14oz, was born in February last year at St Thomas' Hospital in London. His mother Kerri was flown there after her waters broke and the hospital in Jersey, where she lives, felt she needed expert care on the mainland.

For four months, Kerri stayed at a house provided free for parents by the hospital while Indie was treated for chronic lung disease and underwent heart and hernia operations. However, her husband Jo and three-year-old daughter Sienna had to repeatedly fly over to visit.

Add to this the fact that Jo is a self-employed painter and decorator and was losing earnings, and it's not hard to see why Indie's prematurity cost the family around £8,000.

Kerri stopped work at an advertising agency when Indie was born, and says: "I haven't even been able to go back part-time.

"Indie was totally unexpected when he came, as were the costs."

She adds: "When Indie was born, Sienna didn't really understand where I'd gone. My husband had a hard job trying to juggle the family life, but Sienna adapted well.

"It was very difficult emotionally and financially, but you get through it - you just have to."

If you are going through a similar experience you can call the BLISS Family Support Helpline on 0500 618140.

11:27am Monday 17th March 2008

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