A woman given no help after her baby left intensive care has set up her own support group.

Michelle Foreman's six-week-old daughter was incubated and on life support due to a condition that causes a blockage in the nose.

After battling for life in Evelina Children's hospital, based at Guy’s and St Thomas’ in London, baby Kyeira was discharged.

But for 35-year-old Michelle, of Wellington Road, in Westgate-on-Sea, near Margate, it was a daunting task to look after her daughter without any medical assistants on hand.

She said: "You don't know how to start feeding them again, their sleep routines - it's overwhelming."

"There is no aftercare until you have a follow-up appointment and some patients can wait six weeks or more and I was sent home and taken away from all medical expertise and left to look after my child who’s suffered a life-threatening illness.

"So you suffer a lot of anxiety and worry.

"Emotionally I wasn't dealing with it well, so I decided to set up this support group and Evelina hospital very quickly signed me a paediatric intensive care nurse to help me.

"A year on we're getting parents contacting us wishing to join."

Michelle hopes her support group called ICU Baby Steps will give parents a chance to share their experiences in a friendly environment, with hopes of arranging an annual day trip.

She added: "You get over it quicker if you talk about what you’ve been through - it's placed in your brain rather than being in the forefront."

Michelle's single-handed advertising has led to groups being set up in five hospitals in Kent, but she is optimistic she will get them in every hospital around the country.

She said: "The hope is for every children’s ward in the country to have my posters - the need for these groups is national."

The first big fundraiser for the group is being held at Hartsdown Leisure Centre on April 29 – and it is a four-hour Zumbathon.

Mum Gemma Gurdler, 29, from Margate is taking part despite her child never being in an ICU.

She said: "Michelle asked me to help out and having a small child - this care is something I may need in the future."

For more details on ICU Babysteps, visit www.icubabysteps.org or phone 01843 831581.