A MIRACLE baby who was born with his bowel outside his body is finally home after surgeons saved his life.

Frankie Banyard developed gastroschisis when he was in the womb, meaning his intestines formed outside his body.

After being born six weeks early by caesarean section, doctors at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge had to act fast to wrap his bowel in cling film to keep the oxygen in before whisking him away for surgery.

Doctors said it was one of the worst cases of gastroschisis they had seen and Frankie’s parents Jake Banyard and Chloe Hedges prepared themselves for the worst.

Jake, 20, and Chloe, 18, of Ipswich Road, Colchester, had to wait six weeks for their first cuddle with Frankie, when most of his bowel had been put in place – which took eight more operations.

In his first three months, Frankie also developed sepsis, had six blood transfusions and had to have a Hickman line inserted to inject fluids.

He now has to undergo one more operation.

But now six months old, Frankie has developed a new talent – smiling.

Jake said: “From the minute he wakes up to when he goes to sleep, it’s non-stop smiling. You would never meet a happier baby.

“With his baby grow on, you wouldn’t know any different, but when you see the massive scar on his belly and the one where his heart is, it’s heartbreaking.

“It was so hard at first when the doctors said it was touch and go. You try to boost each other’s confidence but there could be a day he doesn’t make it.”

Mum Chloe, who was in full-time education before having Frankie, had a premonition the night before her 12-week scan.

She said: “I said ‘They are going to tell us something is wrong’. As soon as she started scanning, she just stopped and said there was a problem. I just burst into tears.”

Now weighing a healthy 1st 14oz, Frankie is clearly enjoying life out of hospital.

Chloe said: “It’s amazing to have him home. It’s like he’s always been here but we will never forget what we’ve been through.”

Jake’s mum Natalie and her two workmates are doing a 1,000ft skydive in aid of the Sick Children’s Charity, which provided accommodation for Jake and Chloe at Addenbrooke’s Hospital for the first two months.

To donate, go to justgiving.com/Julie-Prior.