Tiny two-day-old premature baby helps dad propose from an incubator

Cobie Sellors was just two-days old when he helped his dad pull off a huge surprise.

John, 29, asked partner Sian Stafford, 26, proposed thanks to their tiny son who was born ten weeks early on 3 August weighing just 3lb 9oz.

Nurses popped a note in Cobie’s incubator alongside the engagement ring, asking if ‘Mummy would marry Daddy’.

At first she didn’t even notice the sign because Cobie had also stopped needing a machine to breathe – but she eventually said yes.

John, from Pinxton in Derbyshire, said: ‘I’m not usually the romantic type, but I really wanted to do something to lift Sian’s spirits and she had been dropping hints for a while about wanting to get married.

‘The nurses were great and really helped make it a special proposal to remember.

‘They just told me to take Sian for a coffee and that they would sort it out for when we got back.

‘When we got back the message and ring were there and I was such a lovely moment, I can’t thank them enough.’

Sian, 26, added: ‘I was so shocked, I really didn’t expect it and I was really overwhelmed.

‘When we got back on to the unit, the nurses told me that Cobie had been taken off his CPAP breathing machine and so I needed to go and look, as I would be able to see his face more.

‘I was concentrating so much on Cobie that I didn’t even notice the note and the ring at first!

‘But then John said, “look, I think Cobie wants to know something!” Then I read the note and it was such a surreal but happy moment.’

The pair have been together for eight years and also have an older daughter called Ruby, four.

John carefully planned the surprise with nurses on the neonatal intensive care unit at King’s Mill Hospital in Mansfield.

Sian added: ‘It’s been a bit of a whirlwind as Cobie arrived so early, we had to call an ambulance and I didn’t really believe I was in labour until I was on the birthing unit with John and they were saying I was going to have Cobie that day.

‘The midwives, nurses and all the staff have been amazing and so supportive.

‘It’s really difficult at the moment, as I feel that I’m having to split myself in two to see my daughter, Ruby, whilst also seeing Cobie on the unit, as she can’t come in to see him due to the Covid-19 restrictions, but it will all be worth it in the end.’

John added: ‘It’s been really difficult not being able to let Ruby meet him.

‘She can’t wait to give him a cuddle and say hello to her new baby brother.’

Deputy sister on the neonatal ward Lynsey Lord, who helped with the planning of the surprise proposal said: ‘It was such a special moment to be part of.