A COUPLE whose baby daughter has been battling a rare digestive problem since birth are hoping she will be allowed out of hospital for Christmas.

Little Lauren Davis has only spent three days at her Worcester home since her birth at Ronkswood Hospital, in May.

For the past few months, her mother Amanda Cornes, aged 19, has had to stay in parents accommodation close to the Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, Birmingham, where Lauren is being treated.

"The last few months have been really difficult and it would be great to have her able to spend her first Christmas at home," said Amanda, of Dines Green.

She and Lauren's father, Andrew Davis - who travels to see them twice a week and stays at weekends - became aware of Lauren's problems when their daughter was around three weeks old.

"She just couldn't hold any food down and was suffering with vomiting and diarrhoea," she said.

Lauren was transferred to Birmingham, where she has remained since.

Sue Protheroe, consultant paediatric gastroenterologist at the Birmingham hospital, said Lauren's illness was still being investigated.

Meanwhile, the tot is receiving the nutrients she needs to survive through a system called a parenteral line, which the couple and other relations are being taught to operate.

"Before she goes home, the parents must be fully trained in taking on this form of treatment at home," she said.

The treatment will mean Lauren being linked to a machine throughout the night, but able to live a relatively normal life during the day.

The couple are on Worcester City Council's housing waiting list and are hopeful of being placed in a home in Dines Green, near Amanda's parents, soon.

"It's been really hard on us, the way things have been recently," said Andy, also 19.

"It would be great to have Amanda and Lauren home for Christmas. We just hope this is possible."