Baby dies after mother with cold sore told breastfeeding was safe

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 11:57 · Archive

A newborn died from a cold sore virus after her mother was advised by health professionals that breastfeeding was safe.

Meg Edmonds gave birth to Magnolia in the early hours of 1 February 2026 after what she describes as a straightforward pregnancy and quick water birth. The following day, she developed ulcers on her lips and mouth. According to the Daily Mail, health professionals told Edmonds her ulcers were hormonal and that it was safe to continue breastfeeding.

Metro reports that Edmonds had visible lesions on her lips during labour. The symptoms developed further in the 24 hours after birth, which doctors now believe was a primary HSV infection—the first time a person is exposed to the herpes simplex virus with no pre-existing antibodies. Primary infection can be asymptomatic or cause minor symptoms such as cold sores, but can also produce severe symptoms including fever, swollen neck glands and lesions elsewhere on the body.

Ten days after birth, on 11 February, Magnolia died from multiple organ failure following contact with the cold sore virus.

How it is being reported

• 'Perfectly healthy' newborn baby dies from cold sore virus as mum issues heartbreaking warningMagnolia's symptoms were put down to feeding problems and jaundice, her mum said - by the time she had reached intensive care and was diagnosed, the infection had spread through her bodyThe Mirror · 19 Oct, 12:06
• I’ll never forgive myself for breastfeeding my baby — a cold sore killed herMagnolia, taken on 7th February 2026 (Picture: Supplied) When Meg Edmonds saw two confirmation lines appear on her pregnancy test last spring, she felt nothing short of ‘pure excitement’. The 22-year-old, from Staffordshire , had always wanted two children close together in age. The next day, she…Metro · 19 Oct, 11:39
• Baby died from mother's cold sore virus 'after she was told by medics her ulcers were just hormonal'Meg Edmonds, 22, developed ulcers on her lips and mouth on the day she gave birth to Magnolia in February, but says health professionals told her it was safe to continue breastfeeding.Daily Mail · 18 Oct, 23:00

In this story: Meg Edmonds · Magnolia · Ben Brookes · Staffordshire

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