Channel 7 star, Monique Dirksz praises a viral Instagram video for helping save her baby’s life

Health & relationships – 19 Oct 23 By Rebel Wylie

Thanks to a viral Instagram video, Monique Dirksz was able to recognise a dangerous sign that her baby boy was in trouble during a routine nappy change.

It was thanks to an informative Instagram post, that Channel Seven reporter, Monique Dirksz was able to recognise that the irregular breathing pattern of her infant son meant trouble.

The Seven News Perth’s crime reporter took to Instagram to share a health update on her 10 month old son, Noah.

Noah had been suffering with a runny nose and a cough for about a week, but the mum-of-two had not been too worried until a routine nappy change saw her notice a change in his breathing.

“When I lay Noah on his change table last week I saw between his ribs looked like it was caving in when he took a breath,” she shared. “It was ‘sucking’ into chest, his ribs and at his throat. It was because I’d recently seen a post on Tiny Hearts about Chest retractions that I knew that meant straight to Emergency.”

Monique Dirksz and son Noah in hospital with rhinovirus. — “Meet our new friend Mr Rhinovirus.. in memory of a germ that’s given us quite the scare the past few days.” (Image: Instagram)

A diagnosis of Rhinovirus meant that little Noah was admitted for treatment.

“We’ve spent two days in hospital watching his every breath,” Monique shared. “At times his o2 was less than 80%. The virus and the Bronchiolitis is clearing up and thankfully he’s feeling so much better 🩵”

The grateful mum went on to urge all parents to be alert for the signs. “If you don’t follow @tinyheartseducation please do.”

Tiny hearts education infographic on intercostal chest retractions. — It was a useful video that helped Monique recognise the warning signs. (Image: Tiny Hearts Education)

Monique Dirksz, who tied the knot with partner Micah Page in May ’22, was grateful to Australian First Aid Course provider, Tiny Hearts Education for sharing the viral video that caught her attention, as it was thanks to the clear demonstration of intercostal chest retractions that she was able to get Noah the care he urgently needed.

Speaking with Perth Now, Monique said she’d seen the video on Instagram about one month prior, and it stayed forefront in her mind.

“It shocked me at the time and because of it I instantly knew my son was in respiratory distress.”

Monique Dirksz and husband Micah Page with their two children. — Monique Dirksz shares two children with husband, Micah Page. (Image: Instagram)

Tiny Hearts uses their popular social media account to share tips, warning signs, and first aid instructions specifically designed to help babies.

“I’m not sure I would have known to react so quickly without it,” Monique told Perth Now. “Social media can be a bit of a cesspit, but this is proof there are nuggets of gold buried deep in the dirt.”