Baby boys bring triple the joy — as well as the cost

A STAGGERING 18 bottles of formula, 27 disposable nappies and a bag of wet wipes are required each day to keep these Wexford triplets fed and dry.

The boys’ dramatic entry into the world made newspaper headlines last month.

Their mum, Mandy Hayden Freeman, 37, and dad John, 33, had to be rescued from their home in the foothills of the Blackstairs Mountains when Mandy went into labour two months prematurely.

Six weeks later, Aaron, Finn and Ryan are thriving but their mum, Mandy, is feeling the strain.

“I’ve never had bags under my eyes in my life until now. Within the next six months, I’m sure I will have grey hair and wrinkles because I’m exhausted. John is too,” she said.

The Dublin native, who moved to Ballindagginn in Co Wexford six years ago when she met her husband, says managing financially is tough going.

“Going back to work in June is a must once my maternity leave finishes,” said Mandy, who works for an insurance broker in Dublin.

She will face a four-hour return trip each day. Mandy drives to Sandyford, where she leaves her car and then hops on the Luas for the final part of her journey to the office.

John was injured in a road traffic accident almost two years ago and has not worked since.

“To date, child food producers Cow & Gate donated 18 tins of food but no other sponsorship or financial help has been forthcoming,” said Mandy.

Perhaps it is a sign of how the nation’s economic woes are biting hard.

“Managing financially is a juggling act and it’s not easy as there is not a lot of money coming in and now also the social welfare is being hit,” she said.

While it’s a huge change for Mandy and John, their nine-year-old daughter Chloe has gone from being an only child to being the eldest sister of three demanding little boys.

“Chloe is only too willing to give a hand when it’s needed,” said Mandy.