Hospital should feed breastfeeding mums?

[NurseRosie]

AIBU to think that if your baby is in hospital and Mum is staying as fully breastfeeding, the ward should feed Mum? The NHS is not spending money feeding the baby as mummy us making the milk. Baby feeding sometimes 2 hourly and very clingy as unwell. Ward have only given tea and biscuits. Restaurant expensive and open funny times, for example baby upset over lunch yesterday so didn't get down until 2 and they'd stopped serving hopt food for the day. Do you think they should offer mum a meal?

No. The NHS is on its uppers. Feed yourself.

I always was (when it was exclusive). Maybe it depends on area...

No the nhs is on its knees. They don't provide formula milk anymore either so it's not like you are missing out on something 'free' by bf

When my baby was in for jaundice mums had 3 meals a day. Maybe it depends on the hospital.

No, non-patients should buy/bring their own food, breastfeeding mothers included.

When my ds had whopping cough - he is now 15 and a half - at 2 weeks old, I was in and out of hospital with him for ten months. I was bf and got all of my meals. .

Yes, as the baby won't thrive if not getting enough milk. Hopefully you won't be in too long. YANBU.

That must be a trust specific thing as when I've been in Manchester children and Birmingham children bf mums get fed

Have you seen the other threads going on at the moment about the current state of the NHS, OP?

It depends on the hospital. Some will feed parents on wards (some or all meals). Others will feed BF-ing mothers only. Others may not feed at all.

Talk to PALS if you want to lobby for change at your specific hospital.

Sure, we can feed nursing mothers and parents staying with their children but which department would the money be taken from?
You feed yourself at home- why not in hospital?

My hospital feeds bf mums even if the child is having a meal too. If you are breastfeeding and haven't got adequate nutrition the baby (their patient) won't recover as quickly.

No as you aren't the patient. Sorry if that's not what you want to hear but you can take food with you.

DS was in for a week and I was given vouchers by the paediatric ward to get myself lunch and dinner each day. It was difficult getting to the canteen as I couldn't leave him alone, and they didn't have much dairy and soya free (DS is allergic) but I was impressed they fed me to be honest.

Are you a patient in a bed?

And formula milk isn't provided by the hospital!

You should be fed. I was 18/20 years ago.

I was fed both when I gave birth and also when I was in with my baby for 5 days because she was ill. They said because I was breastfeeding her I was allowed the food (which was great, by the way and there was a choice!)

I didn't realise it wasn't a national policy.

I wouldn't have minded paying for the food but I can understand why if you're unable to leave the hospital to "shop"'elsewhere and what's on offer is costly then it would be upsetting. Also it's difficult if you've missed the hot meal times. I missed the hot meals once or twice because it coincided with a doctors availability to discuss my daughter's case but there was a kitchen with a microwave and a toaster that I was able to use.

I hope you're alright and your baby is getting better.

Well they fed me because I was breastfeeding and dd was in for an op. What was I offered? The children's menu!

I would have been fine with that if my choices hadn't been along the lines of fish fingers and smiley faces (it turned up dry and overcooked)...This was in a highly regarded hospital, I was expecting food with much more nutritional value.

No YABU, the NHS feeds the person admitted, on a tiny budget. Buy some sandwiches to eat in the rest room when you get a moment. 2pm not a funny time to stop serving hot food. Accept it's a bit shit for a day or 2 but be grateful that your child is receiving fantastic medical care that is free.

When ds was in hospital I either got partner to bring me food. Or when baby was asleep I asked a staff member to keep a listen out so I could quickly pop to the shop or hospital cafe to get sandwich and stuff sweets

If you are unwell and also a patient then yes of course. But to expect to be fed purely because you are breastfeeding is unreasonable. I realise some hospitals do this but it's not usual and certainly not some thing that should be expected.

Yes they should be feeding you. And yes they do provide formula for babies who are inpatients if required.

The reason they should be feeding you is because it's often impossible for BF mums to get to a restaurant to get food, and when they do it costs a fortune. I thought all hospitals did this.

It's nice that you're getting tea and biscuits!

Why should they when you feed yourself at home? So much about rights these days and nothing about responsibilities. All entitlements and nothing else.