Boris Johnson's wife issues urgent warning to new mums after being rushed to hospital

Carrie Johnson has shared a photo of herself in hospital and given a warning to new mums over severe dehydration.

The 37-year-old welcomed her fourth child with former prime minister Boris Johnson, 61, last month. Poppy Eliza Josephine Johnson — nicknamed Pops or Pop Tart — was born on May 21. And she has told of how she has ended up in hospital through dehydration while breastfeeding.

She shared photos on Instagram of herself and the baby in a hospital bed and wrote: “Being hospitalised for two nights for severe dehydration was not on my postpartum bingo card. Breastfeeding mums make sure you eat and drink enough in this heat. Especially if your babe is cluster feeding.”

Cluster feeding, when a baby feeds more frequently, is common in the first three to four months after birth, particularly during growth spurts. And it can lead to maternal dehydration if the mum is not consuming enough to replenish fluids. The NHS advises that babies may want to feed more frequently during hot weather, when risk of dehydration is also higher.

Ms Johnson also told how she had been through a "brutal" week and thanked people for their support. She continued: “This week has honestly been brutal. Mastitis (me), reflux (her), dehydration (me).

"What a pair we are! But thank you for all the kindest messages, especially all the brilliant advice on reflux. Really appreciate it and made me feel way less alone going thru [sic] it all. And as ever, thanks to our amazing NHS.”

Mastitis is a painful inflammation in the breast tissue often associated with breastfeeding. Reflux occurs when the stomach contents comes back up into the oesophagus. It is very common in babies and usually gets better as they grow.

Poppy joins the couple’s three other children, sons Wilfred, five, and one-year-old Frank, and daughter Romy, three. Announcing the latest arrival last month, Ms Johnson wrote: "Welcome to the world Poppy Eliza Josephine Johnson born on 21st May. Aka Pops, Pop Tart. I can’t believe how pretty and tiny you are. Feel so incredibly lucky. We are all totally smitten.

"Not sure I’ve slept a minute since you were born as can’t stop looking at how completely lovely you are. Thank you so much to the amazing maternity team at UCLH and particularly to Asma and Patrick who have looked after me so well through all my pregnancies. I really cannot thank you guys enough.

"Wilf, Romy and Frank are utterly delighted, particularly Romy who was desperate for a little sister. Bring on the matching dresses. A final gang member. Back from hospital now and time for cocktails and pizza with my tiny baby snoozing on my lap. Life doesn’t get any better."