to be confused by newborn suffocating during breastfeed? :(

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www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/06/28/parents-suing-nhs-newborn-suffocated-breast-feed-due-negligent/

Would like to get other people's views on this situation? As someone who has breastfed, I'm really confused and saddened by this situation. However, I'm not convinced the midwife is to blame either

I don't think its just the breastfeeding.

It sounds like the poor mite had problems as she was being born.

@Voda i am inclined to agree but there must be something to it for her and her DH to be suing for potentially millions.

Poor midwife, this isn't her fault.
I'm astounded and don't believe that a professional couple in their mid 30s wouldn't know you need to keep a baby's airways open while they feed.
Interesting to note that this couple had a JustGiving page trying to raise cash not long ago. It sounds like they've found a way to raise more, tbh.

No. They're suing the wrong teams and just chancing this. Something was up before this.

I don’t see how this is in any way the midwifes fault.

And I really struggle to believe anyone doesn’t realise a baby needs to breathe while they’re feeding.

This is very sad. Who knows.

I do remember worrying about this with mine and I’m not sure it’s true a newborn will wriggle free. If a baby is held tightly against the breast then it could suffocate and that might not always be obvious to a first time Mum

Whatever, I feel for the midwife too as there isn’t enough time for everyone

Something must have happened in utero or during birth. Poor midwife getting the blame.

I don't know why the baby needs to be held tight enough against the breast that suffocation would be a risk. Surely any competent adult knows that babies need a clear airway at all times?

I don’t think the midwife should have left them alone for their first breastfeed. Mother was probably exhausted and the first feed is terrifying sometimes. I didn’t even know how to hold my baby properly at the breast.

My baby could not latch on because my boob was so big. Midwife showed me a trick to push it in above his nose. He was latching on, then running out of breath so he pulled away. I am baffled as to how this baby could have suffocated.

This is why the NHS is under financial strain, with chancers suing for millions on shakey grounds. Something else must have caused this, not the midwife.

I read this and thought surely common sense would prevail, midwife deffo isn't at fault!

Feel so sorry for the little girl, but I too struggle to understand how these days with all the antenatal classes, books , and even Mumsnet you wait till the birth before finding out how to breastfeed. I’ve never given birth and I knew that. But it’s sad and I dread to think how the midwife must feel even if she was in any way negligent.

I can't remember ever thinking about my baby's airway when feeding. However, I was gazing down at him as he fed, looking to see if he was latched on ok and was actually doing something. I can't imagine being sufficiently zoned out after birth- the father too- not to notice the baby had stopped.

You can sue for whatever you want, surely? Doesn’t mean there is any substance to it, that’s what the court hearing determines.

Very tragic. I can’t inagine they’ll get anywhere with the legal case, unless there is more to it.

@NotUmbongoUnchained The midwife may well have had lots of other mothers and babies to attend to. You may not have known how to hold your baby properly, but surely you knew that the airway must be clear. I am not totally blaming the mother as she could have been dosed up on drugs or tired, but I don't think the midwife should be blamed either.

Tragic story, but we have all read on MN stories of MW shoving the breast in the baby's mouth and walking away.

Obviously I’m not an expert and wasn’t there but to me it does sound like the baby may have had an underlying issue which caused this. I don’t think it’s the midwife’s fault, but I do feel for everyone involved. It must be devastating.

@picklemepopcorn I agree with you there, that's a good point. Considering it was her very first feed, surely the mother would be super attentive - and the father!

The midwife may well have had lots of other mothers and babies to attend to

The ward I gave birth on was so understaffed that my midwife had 4 other mothers to tend too. She still stuck around for the first feed to make sure it happened safely because that’s her job!

Truly I worry about the state of this world when a midwife is blamed for not telling a parent that covering a baby's nose and mouth will suffocate them. Will no one take responsibility these days for their own actions?