Quick-thinking shop staff came to rescue of mum whose baby stopped breathing

Staff Nikki and Clive Cantrill (front) with Jody and Nathan with children Skylar and Willow.

Mum-of-two, Jody Newton, 24, of Valley Road, Mastin Moor, was in baby clothes store Baby to Bigger in Staveley when her two-year-old daughter Willow-Leigh got into difficulties.

But co-owner of the shop, Nikki Cantrill, 44, saved the day by putting the toddler in the recovery position before calling for an ambulance.

Jody said: “It felt like my heart stopped.

shop staff at Baby to bigger in Staveley praised. Jody and Nathan with children Skylar and Willow.

“I felt like I was going to lose my baby.

“I just want to thank them for everything. If they had not been there then I don’t know what would have happened.”

The scare happened on Willow’s second birthday last month when Jody was visiting the shop on Wharf Lane, Lowgates.

Nikki’s husband, Clive, 46, told the Derbyshire Times that he was not initially in the shop as he had gone out. He was told that Jody had come into the shop saying Willow was not very well.

Nikki then took Willow out of her pushchair and placed her on a quilt on the floor to see what was wrong.

“Willow was completely unresponsive,” Clive said. “She was completely zoned out. She had been violently sick all over herself.”

Clive said that Nikki then checked her airways and put her in the recovery position. The toddler appeared to come round but then became unresponsive again.

The paramedics then arrived within minutes and took Willow to hospital.

“It was a bit of a panic in the shop,” Clive said. “I came in and Jody was in tears and Willow was in the recovery position.

“Nikki is a megastar. She was so calm and collected.”

Little Willow has suffered from a number of health issues since she was born including having mini convulsions where she becomes unresponsive.

Jody is good friends with Nikki and Clive as she visits their shop regularly.

Praising the pair, Jody said: “They are lovely. They are easy to get along with and they are great with the kids.”

Thankfully, Willow is now back at home after a short stay in Chesterfield Royal Hospital – much to the delight of her dad Nathan, 25, one-year-old sister Skylar-Leigh and Jody.