Nicole Richie Needed the Break, Say Friends

Nicole Richie’s friends are happy that the busy star has checked herself into the hospital - because she has been working “nonstop” over the past few months and needs some down time.

Richie is in Los Angeles’ Ceders Sinai where her rep says she is being treated for pneumonia.

The Simple Life star recently gave birth to son Sparrow in September with Joel Madden, who already have 22 month-year-old daughter Harlow.

Richie began feeling achy early on November 9.

“Nicole began feeling sick, and has pretty much been in bed,” a source said. “She didn’t want to make a big deal out of it, but she was exhausted and couldn’t take care of Harlow and
Sparrow the way she normally does. Nicole spent most days in bed, and the kids were brought in to her, since she was feeling so icky.”

Friends made sure that Richie was doing okay. “Joel was out of the town the entire first week she was sick and he didn’t realize how serious it was. Friends were calling and stopping by to check in on her while Joel was away.

Joel quickly realized it was much more serious. “When he got back he was worried and realized she didn’t have [just] a little flu bug.”

“Nicole has been working very hard since giving birth to Sparrow in September,” the source added. “She really is a stay-at-home mom with the kids all day long and then she goes to work on her House of Harlow line.

But with kids and work, she was forgetting to rest. “She puts the kids to bed and then has a little quiet time to herself around 9pm. All the work and nonstop going out has been a lot for her right after giving birth.”

“She’s doing better and getting great care,” the friend says of Richie’s hospital visit. “It’s time for a speedy recovery.”