Can breastfed babies go with mum to hospital?

[Breastfeedingwoes]

Baby 3m old. Ebf and cmpa. Never had a bottle.
I have mastitis again it’s really bad. On antibiotics but if no improvement in 24/48 hours I was told may need iv antibiotics
They’ll let my baby come too won’t they even with covid ? I’m so worried

@Breastfeedingwoes have you checked your nipple for blebs (small areas of nipple or areola that have skin, scab, hardened milk or narrower milk ducts)?

If the issue is on going and in the same area it could be blebs. If you hand express before feeding (prior to letdown and with foremilk), and observe the spray of milk, is there an area that has no or less flow?

Very unlikely. Try PALS is they say no but there are alternatives, as much as they won’t be your favoured alternatives.

I had an infection and required a D&C under a general anaesthetic. Fought for 1 week prior to scheduled operation (DS was 11 weeks) for him to come with me. Refused on the grounds of infection control. They’d had high cases of MRSA at the time in the day surgery ward.

Ended up feeding DS on the car park at 6:55am before I went in and left him with DH who managed to coax some milk in a cup down him (total bottle refuser). I was home by 3pm (my insistent narrative that I needed to go and would discharge myself) and he fed for ages and we both slept it off.

Looking back now, I stressed more for him than for my own health. My infection could have got to sepsis stage. Please follow doctors advice.

@Lavenderfieldsofprovence or try and fix the problem? Formula is a great alternative if breastfeeding isn’t possible but it’s not equal to breastmilk so if OP wants to continue she should be supported to do so.

My SIL wasn’t allowed either time she was admitted with a tiny EBF baby, they said due to safety issues as wards not secure like maternity ward even when she had a side room she wasn’t allowed.

I was allowed to keep baby with me. He was five/six weeks old and I needed treatment for a breast abscess caused by mastitis.

I was rushed into hospital when Dc3 was about 10 weeks old with an allergic reaction. Into A&E for adrenaline/antihistamines/steroids. DH followed on with DC3 who was exclusively BF. I had to stay in the night and they nipped over to maternity to borrow a bedside cot (wedged baby in diagonally!) and some HCAs held him for me the following morning when I went down for a scan to rule out blood clots. I’m sure that if you talk to them they will help you. Good luck!

Sorry to hear you are feeling so rotten OP.
If they don't let you take DD in with you you will need a formula like Nutramigen or Neocate for CMPA babies. You can buy it online but it's very expensive.
Could your DH go to a walk in centre or phone 111 and get a prescription in the event that you have to be separated?
I hope you feel better soon

[quote PinkyU]@Lavenderfieldsofprovence for some people that will be what they choose, for others these issues are fleeting and manageable enough that the desire, will and commitment to carry on bf is worth it.

Whilst I can’t speak for the op, when I came up against many obstacles with bf I treated them as small periods of difficult times that could be managed, so continuing through it was very much worth it.[/quote]
Sounds like you found a great way of managing the difficult periods. I have a huge amount of admiration for mums who stick with it. 💐

[quote BuffaloCauliflower]@Lavenderfieldsofprovence or try and fix the problem? Formula is a great alternative if breastfeeding isn’t possible but it’s not equal to breastmilk so if OP wants to continue she should be supported to do so.[/quote]
Absolutely if it’s possible. Hopefully OP will soon be on the mend.

I think it depends on the hospital, this would definitely not be allowed at the hospital I work at the moment. For baby’s protection!
I had a young lady with a small baby come into my ward yesterday, she was breastfeeding and had mastitis. We put her in a side room so she was away from any other patients as we were so scared she may catch covid and take it home to her baby, we certainly wouldn’t have allowed the baby to visit! X

Could you have the course of treatment at home, maybe? In my area we have a community IV team who would come to your house and administer IV therapy. So at least you wouldn't have to stay in hospital for the whole course, even if you have to be in for the first few doses.

Hi OP, just wanted to say that I have twice been ‘threatened‘ with hospital treatment due to mastitis, but each time the strong antibiotics really did clear it up very quickly in the end. Fingers crossed that’s the same for you too.

@PinkyU

OP are you using breast compression, massage and warm treatment to help manage the blockage? There’s also specific positions baby can be in to help.

(Apologies if this is repeating things you already know)

I just came on the day this

Hot flannel on mastic breast and massage towards the nipple as baby is feeding

Good luck op

In theory they should but you may have to fight.
Re the mastitis it’s worth seeing a lactation consultant and querying the abx prescription, often GPS prescribe 5-7 day courses which just lead to recurrent mastitis. Course needs to be 10-14 days.

Just to say that I have also - whilst exclusively breastfeeding a baby with CMPA - had IV antibiotics as an outpatient. My local hospital has an ambulatory care unit which I had to attend to have the IV (I had the cannula left in, in between visits). If this is possible for you then I would highly recommend as it means you don’t have to stay overnight on the ward.

Hope you feel better soon!

(Ps if it is a blocked duct, you can try using the other end of an electric toothbrush, the vibrations clear the blockage. I know that sounds weird but it has worked for me several times!)

have you had bubs checked for tongue tie? as sometimes latch issues cause mastitis due to ineffective feeding. you could also hold bubs in a different position on that side to help drain it better. try rugby ball hold r feeding upright. hope it clears up soon. x

@BuffaloCauliflower

They’ll probably say no but legally they can’t separate an exclusively breastfed baby from their mum. NICE guidelines specify baby must be kept with mum. Contact PALS and fight your case if you need to.

NICE guidelines are just that - guidelines.

They’re not legally enforceable so yes, the hospital can say OP’s baby cannot come in with her.