It is hard to detect and it can sometimes be too late before a diagnosis can be made, as was the case for tragic Oscar Brandwood who died at 13 days old last year.

THE birth of a baby is a cause for huge celebration — but not for new mothers Kelly Morris and Gaynor Crilly who were “poisoning” their newborns with their own breast milk.

Within days of being born seemingly healthy, Mac Crilly and Sydney Morris became gravely ill, losing weight dramatically and were jaundiced because of their failing little livers.

Their parents were told to expect the worst, and had to sit by their bedside hoping their tiny babies would pull through from this unknown illness.

Little did the new mums know the reason their babies were so ill was because they could not tolerate their own mothers’ breast milk.

The babies were born with a condition called Galactosemia, rare genetic metabolic disorder that affects the sufferer’s ability to metabolise galactose properly — a natural sugar present in milk.

Thankfully both babies were diagnosed in the nick of time and, despite its rarity of one in 60,000 newborns, Mac, now aged 10, and Sydney Morris, now aged eight, both go to the same school — Prestolee in Stoneclough.

Aside from his inability to eat chocolate, cheese and ice cream, Mac is doing well and has his older brother James, aged 16, to look out for him.

But Sydney faces a tough future as the condition could leave her infertile — a common side effect of the condition for girls — and could go into early menopause.

Mothers Kelly Morris and Gaynor Crilly are both joining together to warn new mothers of the signs of Galactosemia.

Mrs Morris, aged 34, from Stoneclough, said: “Apparently it’s the only condition where you can’t breastfeed your own child and I was basically killing my own daughter by doing it.

“She was projectile vomiting every time we fed her — it was like something out of The Exorcist.

“She was born at 8lbs 2oz but in 15 days she had gone down to 5lbs 8oz.

“She had these big, bulging eyes and looked like a baby bird and had drips and wires coming out of her. We thought we were going to lose her.

“She was so jaundiced and yellow because her liver was failing. It was horrendous.”

Once the new mum and her husband Dave, aged 37, had gotten over the initial scare of nearly losing their first baby, they had the difficult task of trying to feed her.

Mrs Morris said: “The first year was incredibly hard for us. Eating out is very difficult. People don’t realise how serious the condition is.

“It’s not an intolerance — it’s a full on allergy, so they won’t just be sick — lactose poisons them.

“We had to feed her soya milk and check labels on everything.”

The couple also had to keep all the usual child treats such as chocolate and ice cream away from their baby daughter.

Mrs Morris said: “I can’t even give my daughter one Cadbury’s button because it could kill her.

“She can’t even look forward to an ice cream over the summer holidays like all her friends. She has to make do with a lolly.”

Common problems associated with Galactosemia are learning difficulties such as autism, and for girls, infertility.

Mrs Morris said: “Sydney is currently being tested for autism, which is a common part of the condition.

“She’s soon going to have to start having regular bone scans because her bones are weaker.

“It was devastating to be told that she could never have children when she’s got her whole life ahead of her. But that’s something that we’re going to have to deal with when the time comes.”

Mrs Morris met her friend Gaynor, aged 42, from Kearsley, not long after Sydney was born.

She said: “I remember Gaynor coming to the house when Sydney was a month old and she told me her son had the same condition.

“I couldn’t believe that it is so rare and both our kids go to the same school. Gaynor has been a great help, especially at the beginning. It’s really nice to have someone who knows what you’re going through.”

Mrs Crilly’s son Mac was diagnosed at 11 days old but she too nearly lost him.

She said: “To be told that you are poisoning your child is the worst thing you can hear.

“After all, as a mother you want to keep your kids safe and fed.”

Mac is displaying no signs of learning difficulties, but Mrs Crilly says the biggest problem is eating out.

She added: “It’s really hard when we go out for food anywhere because it’s rare that he can just pick something straight off the menu.

“When we go anywhere we usually have to ask for plain chicken or fish for him.

“He’s quite good in that respect and will eat different things.

“When he was first diagnosed I was panicking thinking, how can he not have treats like easter eggs or McDonalds like all other children?

“But now we know there are things that he can eat, so it’s less worrying.”

The two friends are fundraising for the Galactosemia Support Group and the North West and North Wales Paediatric Transport service, who have been a great help to both families.

They are asking for donations ready for their skydive and fundraising event at Kearsley Cricket Club in August.

Mrs Crilly said: “We just want to give back to the charities to say thanks for their help and helpfully raise the awareness of the condition.

“The skydive will be on August 4, Kelly is doing it with her brother Neil at Black Knight Parachute Centre in Lancaster.

“The fundraiser is on August 25 and we’ve had loads of support from local businesses who have donated pamper days, horse riding lessons, spray tans and other raffle prizes which we’re grateful for.”

To donate, or for more information, go to mycharitypage.com/gaynor.