'I spent hours thinking that my baby couldn’t see': Holly Madison details the 'stressful' moment her newborn son was taken to the NICU after he was born with a host of health problems

  • The 36-year-old former Playboy model gave birth to a son, Forest Leonardo Antonio, on August 7
  • She recently revealed that he was taken to the NICU shortly after being born with fluid in his lungs, jaundice, and eyes that weren't dilating
  • Holly said those days were 'stressful' but she is now home with a happy baby boy 

By Carly Stern For Dailymail.com

Published: 11:27 EST, 22 September 2016 | Updated: 20:39 EST, 22 September 2016

Holly Madison has revealed for the first time that her newborn baby had a scary start to life when he was born last month.

The 36-year-old told People this week that when she gave birth to her son Forest Leonardo Antonio on August 7, he was immediately whisked away to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to combat a host of health issues.

The former Playboy model described the days following his arrival as a 'super emotional time', but added that it was 'such a relief' to finally take him home. 

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So scary: Holly Madison, who is pictured holding her newborn's hand just after he was born, revealed this week that her baby son was in the NICU when he arrived on August 7

So scary: Holly Madison, who is pictured holding her newborn's hand just after he was born, revealed this week that her baby son was in the NICU when he arrived on August 7

All better! A few days after her was born, she was smiling on Instagram and happy to take him home

All better! A few days after her was born, she was smiling on Instagram and happy to take him home

The family put on a brave public front when little Forest was born, with Holly Instagramming a photo of her hand holding his with a string of hearts in the caption.

'Holly, Rainbow & I welcomed a healthy 8-pound, 14-ounce baby boy to the family,' the model's husband, 42-year-old Pasquale Rotella, wrote on his Instagram page. 

'Now I'm holding my beautiful son at the hospital reading amazing birthday wishes from all of you. Definitely one of the most memorable weeks of my life!'

What they had yet to reveal was that it took a few days at the hospital before baby Forest was well enough to leave. 

New addition: Forest was 8 pounds, 14 ounces, and the second child for Holly and her husband Pasquale Rotella

New addition: Forest was 8 pounds, 14 ounces, and the second child for Holly and her husband Pasquale Rotella

Growing family: The couple also has a daughter, three-year-old Rainbow

Growing family: The couple also has a daughter, three-year-old Rainbow

Now, Holly says hospital staff 'took him away to get the fluid out of his lungs'. 

'First it was the fluid, then it was jaundice, then his eyes weren’t dilating, and I spent hours thinking my baby couldn’t see,' she added.

Holly admitted that it was 'stressful' to see her baby hooked up to 'a million machines', unsure of whether he would be OK.

Thankfully, Forest pulled through, and they were able to take him home three days later to start bonding with his big sister, three-year-old Rainbow. 

Mother's worst nightmare: Holly said Forest's lungs were filled with fluid, he had jaundice, and his eyes weren't dialating

Mother's worst nightmare: Holly said Forest's lungs were filled with fluid, he had jaundice, and his eyes weren't dialating

Little boys are messy! He is now doing fine, and the couple is mostly just worried about changing his diapers

Little boys are messy! He is now doing fine, and the couple is mostly just worried about changing his diapers

'I'm so happy to be at home with a healthy baby boy, Forest Leonardo Antonio Rotella. Thank you for all the kind comments over the past few days,' Holly told her fans upon bringing him home. 

Though the baby seems to be doing OK, there have been a few adjustments now that the family has another little man in the family.

'Diaper changes are way harder with a boy,' Holly told People. 'I’m getting hosed down on a regular basis!'

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