Baby left with severe burns after knocking coffee mug on her face recovers

16 February 2024 , 22:17

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Alayla Janjua - six months after the burn (Image: No credit)

A baby girl who was left with severe burns on her face and head after knocking over a hot coffee mug has fully recovered.

Alayla Janjua was just one year and a day old when the accident happened in August 2023 at home in Bedfordshire. Alayla's mum, Simona Belcheva, rushed to her side after hearing the youngster scream, quickly running her under cold water.

Simona, 23, and her partner, Danyal Janjua, 22, quickly took Alayla to Luton and Dunstable University Hospital where doctors had to shave the toddler's hair off to treat her. She then had to wear bandages which Simona said made her look like a 'Teletubby'.

After a week, she could go home. Now, six months later, thanks to the staff from St Andrew's Burns Service at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford, Essex, Alayla is all better. Her mum Simona said: "Although it felt like it got worse before it got better, I couldn't have wished for a better care for my child for her recovery journey."

She added: "Every single member of staff was so lovely, passionate and caring in everything they did." Since the incident, Ms Belcheva has taken steps to make her home safer for children and started a social media campaign to raise awareness, helping hundreds of other parents.

Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him

After six months, Alayla is on the mend (No credit)

Alayla, three days after the burn (No credit)

She now has 42k followers on TikTok where she shares videos of Alayla's recovery, highlighting their struggle with infant burns. Simona recalled the horrifying moment when she heard a loud bang and her child screaming while she was just a few steps away.

She previously shared: "She had managed to somehow knock over the coffee, and it went on her face. At hospital she was put in a dressing, so all of her burns were covered."

"We were just celebrating her birthday and then she was looking like a Teletubby - it was shocking to see her like that." She confessed that it was the "worst feeling" not being able to help Alayla while doctors changed her bandages every three days.

She said: "She'd be screaming when they did that. It was the worst feeling I couldn't help her. It got so swollen at one point she couldn't open her eyes."

Nurse Sue Boasman from the St Andrew's burns unit has given advice on how parents can treat children's burns (No credit)

Despite everything, Simona said Alayla was "always smiling". However, the mum has faced criticism from strangers calling her a "bad mum" and accusing her of causing the burns. She responded: "People have said I am a bad mum I don't allow it to affect me."

Sue Boasman, an advanced nurse practitioner at the St Andrew's Burns Service, was among those who cared for Alayla. She shared a few tips on how to handle burns and keep kids safe.

She said: "If your child suffers a burn, immediately place the affected area under cool running water for at least 20 minutes. Then cover the area with cling film, if possible, and seek assistance if necessary. Avoid using ice or very cold water, as it can make the burn deeper and make the patient very cold."

Susie Beever