Every second counts: Parental instincts, Pediatric Readiness save newborn

In the early morning hours in January 2025, Brice and Grace Brown faced every parent's worst fear when their newborn son, Kolson, suddenly stopped breathing. Their infant son was in critical distress. Thanks to their fast action — and the specialized pediatric ready care team at Reid Health — Kolson's thriving today.

Infants and children in emergencies need specially trained providers, child-sized equipment, and age-appropriate medications. Reid's Pediatric Readiness Certification ensures expert care for children facing severe or unexpected emergencies. That morning, the Browns were met by Emily Kraft, MD, EMS Medical Director for Reid, who immediately recognized the severity of Kolson's condition.

Dr. Kraft and her team stabilized Kolson and arranged for critical transport to Indianapolis, but beyond emergency care, they supported Brice and Grace with reassurance and comfort amid the chaos. Nearly a year later, Kolson's thriving as his parents, along with grandparents Kay and Tim Brown, share their experience in the hope it empowers other parents to trust their instincts, and seek help when something feels off.

The beginning
Kolson was born at 35 weeks St. Vincent's in Indianapolis. Grace's delivery had complications, but Kolson initially seemed fine.

"As soon as he was born, he laid on my chest for maybe five minutes," she said. "Then he started struggling to breathe."

Kolson was taken to the NICU, where he stayed for five days. After, he went home to Richmond to meet his two siblings, then ages 2 and 3.

Within a week, despite their precautions, Kolson developed RSV. His parents took him to his pediatrician who explained what symptoms to watch for such rapid breathing and fatigue. That night, his symptoms worsened, leading them first to Reid and then to St. Vincent's. While there, he didn't require oxygen.

"He did great all day, so they sent us home with more of what to look for like the retractions, nasal flaring, and the hoarse breathing sounds," Brice said.

Two days later, Kolson began having brief pauses in breathing. His color changed slightly to a blue tone, but when they roused him, he seemed normal. Around midnight, the Owlet sock on his foot showed fluctuating oxygen levels in the mid-80s. They adjusted it and decided to take turns staying awake to watch him.

Critical moments
Grace went to sleep around 2 a.m. while Brice watched Kolson. At 4:30 a.m. the Owlet alarm sounded continuously, showing oxygen levels in the 70s.

They tried to wake him and checked the monitor, then decided to call an ambulance.

"He was very pale," Brice said.

Though CPR-trained for adults, Brice hesitated to start compressions since Kolson still had a strong pulse. As emergency lights approached, Brice's mother, Kay — a former certified EMT — arrived first. He'd called her to watch their two children so they could go with Kolson to the hospital.

When she walked in, Kolson was limp in their arms.

"I didn't hesitate," she said. "I just took him and started a sternal rub and pinched him to get a response."

He gave a faint whimper. It was just enough.

When the ambulance arrived, Kay handed Kolson to the medics. Grace rode with him to Reid while his oxygen levels improved.

At Reid's ER, Grace stayed with Kolson. She talked with Dr. Kraft and the ER staff about what was happening.

"Then time just seemed to crawl," Brice said. "I have no idea how long it was before decisions were made and actions taken."

Dr. Kraft said things began changing the first few minutes.

"He didn't look great, but it wasn't quite at that emergency level yet, so we were getting a lot of things going. Within those first few minutes, he had another apneic episode where he wasn't breathing," she said.

That episode triggered a drop in Kolson's oxygen saturation, prompting the ER team to shift from a calm pace to a much more urgent one, Dr. Kraft said.

A setback
Dr. Kraft let the Browns know Kolson was struggling and needed to be intubated to help him breathe.

"She asked us to follow a nurse to the consultation room," Brice said. "It felt like eternity in there."

While they waited, a respiratory therapist reassured them staying awake to watch over Kolson made a difference, then escorted them to his room.

"It was a different type of feeling, going back there and seeing him like that," Grace said.

They soon learned Lifeline was on its way to fly him to Indianapolis for specialized care. When the flight team arrived, the family was updated on what would happen during transport to Peyton Manning Children's Hospital.

"He was struggling altogether and he looked terrible," Brice said. "We were watching the monitors and it kept dropping. And then the flight nurse said she wasn't getting breathing sounds."

Their world stopped.

The Browns were ushered out of the room so the medical staff could quickly work to restart Kolson's breathing. Brice watched as the team worked.

"It felt like hours," he said. "Then everything just stopped. The doors opened, and everyone walked out."

The team found Kolson's breathing tube had clogged, requiring reintubation before flight. Once he was stabilized, he was carefully moved into an incubator and taken to the helipad.

Recovery and moving forward
"We just stood there. There were so many emotions," Grace said.

After takeoff, Brice and Grace planned to grab caffeine and food before the 80-mile drive to Indianapolis. Dr. Kraft was waiting with snacks and drinks for them. Handing over the goodies, Dr. Kraft asked when he'd last eaten or slept, and told him he shouldn't be driving, but as a parent herself, admitted she would've done the same.

Kolson spent nine days in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in Indianapolis. He was on a ventilator for nearly five days before moving to high-flow oxygen. That's when medical staff discovered a congenital heart defect, a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), that might not have been detected otherwise. He also had a notched vocal cord, likely from reintubation.

Brice later shared their story on social media to encourage other parents to be proactive. He also noted the difference in preparation and care between their first and second ER visits, crediting Reid's Pediatric Readiness certification.

Dr. Kraft explained Kolson had both RSV and sepsis, a serious bacterial infection. She credited the Browns for following their intuition.

"They did a really good job of recognizing something was different. I always tell parents: You know your children best. When you see something that isn't right, go with your gut. They were on it every single time to recognize something's not right and that they needed to take that next step." -- Emily Kraft, MD, EMS Medical Director for Reid Health

Kolson spent 19 of his first 31 days in the hospital. He and his parents relied on each other and their support system to get through it.

"This brought us closer as parents and as a couple," Grace said.

"Stay calm and lean on your support system. Having people you trust around you helps you make better decisions," Brice said.

Tim offered advice from his years as a firefighter and EMT: "If you don't know, it's time to go."

Kay added, "Always advocate for your child."

Kolson continues to grow stronger with help from Reid Pediatric Therapy, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy to support eating, breathing, and developmental milestones. Each one is a celebration.

Kolson's story is a reminder for caregivers: When something feels off, don't wait. Speak up, seek help, and never underestimate the power of intuition.

About Pediatric Readiness
Reid Health is designated as a Pediatric Ready Level Facility by the Indiana Emergency Medical Services for Children (IEMSC), recognizing its ability to handle pediatric emergencies with expert care.

This four-year designation, based on the National Pediatric Readiness Project (NPRP) Assessment, requires hospitals to maintain specialized pediatric equipment, supplies, medications, and staff training tailored to children's unique needs.

Reid EMS ambulances and the Emergency Department are equipped and certified to handle pediatric emergencies, including neonatal resuscitation.