Baby Leo Bateman has offered a ray of hope amidst the coronavirus pandemic - becoming the first baby to be registered in Gravesham since the beginning of lockdown.

Born on April 19 at Darent Valley Hospital, he's had to wait almost two months to be registered at Coldharbour Library in Northfleet, where mum and dad Katie Bettesworth and James Bateman signed the official paperwork this afternoon.

"We were in and out in 15 minutes, it was really quick," said Katie, 28. "We sat in the car outside and they called us in, you go straight through to a room, and you sit two metres apart from someone - they take down the details and pass through the paperwork and you sign it."

But if that part was easy, things weren't quite as simple in the run up to Leo's birth.

"He was born about a week after the peak, so it was the hospital we were worried about," said Katie. "We considered a home birth but then they stopped them. We were also worried they were going to stop birth partners being able to be there. We were one of the last in the hospital where they allowed partners to stay overnight.

"Then Leo had to go to the special care unit and I was quite poorly so we were in there for four days. Generally they were trying to get people out quickly but we had to stay in so it was a bit of a worry."

But she said she did feel in safe hands, adding: "The hospital felt like being in a bit of a bubble. When you're in there all you think about is the baby. I was more worried before I went in, but when you're in there all the staff had PPE and everything."

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Born weighing 9lb1oz, Leo was a healthy size but had to have antibiotics to help him battle an infection.
Even once he was better and back home in Springhead Park, the pandemic has continued to make things difficult.

"It was really tough in the beginning," added Katie. "You can't see anyone, none of our family have even been able to hold him.

"They've since been able to sit in the garden and see him a distance. For my parents it was their first grandchild."

Hopefully today marks the start of easier times to come for Leo, his family and the rest of Gravesham.

"When he was born he's just called a baby and the mum's surname, so it feels like his name's not really his until he's been registered," said Katie. "You can't get a passport, you can't open an account for them - and he's been given money and cheques.

"With all of this he hasn't had the normal start that most babies would so it's something a bit special to say when he's older.

"It's nice to have something good and a bit special to remember."

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