They don’t know it yet – but these two little bundles of joy share a rare connection which their mothers hope will ensure they become “best mates for life”.
Cousins Tyger-Jett Maddison and River-Jaxx Wallace were born within hours of each other on New Year’s Eve to two sisters in the same Ipswich Hospital ward.
Tyger’s mother Parys Maddison, who is 21 and from Felixstowe, said it was “quite strange” to discover she was having her first child just a few feet from her older sister – “but also really exciting”.
“It was the talk of the hospital,” she added.
After Parys’s due date of December 20 came and went, she learnt she was to be induced on New Year’s Eve.
By chance, older sister Chantelle, or Channie, Maddison, 22, who was not due until January 10, had also been asked to have her birth induced as her baby appeared not to be growing properly.
It meant both sisters found themselves in opposite beds in the hospital maternity ward as they entered labour.
They noticed that through a “strange sisterly” connection, their contractions began to synchronise, meaning their mother June Rawlings had a tricky time running between beds to check how each was doing.
Tyger was born first at 4.30am weighing in at 8lbs 12oz and is said to be doing “really well”.
“He’s a chunky little thing and has been eating lots,” said Parys.
The proud mum said she was “so happy” her baby boy had such a close connection with his cousin.
“I love it,” she added, “They’re going to be best mates all their lives, growing up together and going to school together.”
River-Jaxx was born less than three hours later at 7.11am, weighing 7lbs 5oz.
Channie, who has an older daughter Lettie-Rose and also lives in Felixstowe, described giving birth in the same ward as her sister with mixed emotions.
“At first, it was really exciting,” she said.
“I thought it would be nice to have the company and someone to chat to without the awkwardness of there begin another mum contracting on the other side of the room.
“But instead it turned out to be a lot worse.
“I don’t know if it was a strange sisterly thing but every time Parys had a contraction it would set me off and every time she was in pain it seemed to affect me too.
“But once all the drama and trauma was over with and we laid the babies next to each other, there was nothing else like.
“I can’t really describe the feeling – it was just beautiful.”
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