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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to BF my 10 month old in A&E?

132 replies

SlightlyDoolally · 09/02/2010 16:17

Took DS to A&E this morning as he'd nosedived off the bed and got a nosebleed. We were seen pretty quickly by the triage nurse, but then had another wait of an hour to see the paediatrician.

So in total, we were in the waiting room about 90 mins, during which time DS would normally have had a nap followed by a feed.

He was ok sitting on my knee for a little while, then understandably got hungry/tired and wanted a feed. So I fed him, discreetly where we were sitting in the waiting room.

Whilst I was feeding him, the paediatrician came to examine him, saw that I was feeding him, and rushed off embarrassed saying he would come back later. He returned 30 mins later and examined DS (who, thankfully, was fine).

Then the dr said that I shouldn't have BF DS in the waiting room as it was too public, and I should have asked for another room to feed in. I was and asked whether anyone had complained, and he said no but that it was inappropriate to feed "a child of that age" in front of everyone.

I was utterly appalled that he, of all people, had said that. Surely paediatricians should be supporting BF mothers, or at least should be in favour of anything that is comforting and/or nourishing to little ones who've had an accident. FWIW, all the other staff in A&E were brill - the receptionists gave DS a teddy bear, and some other patients were playing peekaboo with him to keep him happy. No-one seemed to bat an eyelid when I fed DS, so I was shocked when I was taken to task for it by the Dr.

So, was IBU?

OP posts:
bedlambeast · 09/02/2010 16:19

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Longtalljosie · 09/02/2010 16:19

Complain. Definitely.

WeddingDaze · 09/02/2010 16:19

course not!

lindy100 · 09/02/2010 16:20

He's a twat. He should have offered a room when he first saw you, if he cared that much.

And obviously only for your own comfrot, not for his sensibilities.

IWishIWasAFrog · 09/02/2010 16:20

YANBU

complain pronto!

lindy100 · 09/02/2010 16:20

comfort...

Morloth · 09/02/2010 16:20

The doctor said you shouldn't have breastfed him there? The fucking doctor? Completely bizarre.

It wouldn't even have occurred to me not to feed him. Doctor is an idiot.

"child of that age" you did point out that DS was 10 months not 10 years?

StewieGriffinsMom · 09/02/2010 16:21

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EcoMouse · 09/02/2010 16:21

YANBU! That was very, very wrong

(I'd complain and not just to the hospital!)

MorrisZapp · 09/02/2010 16:22

That's unbelievable.

eastendmummy · 09/02/2010 16:22

Definitely complain. That is a totally unacceptable thing to say to you - your ds is only 10 months old ffs! Very angry on your behalf

chocolaterabbit · 09/02/2010 16:23

Absolutely YANBU. What an idiot doctor. Hope DS is okay now.

TheCrackFox · 09/02/2010 16:24

That is absolutely outrageous. And from a paedeatrician

complain, complain, complain.

SlightlyDoolally · 09/02/2010 16:25

Wow, thanks - speedy responses! I didn't get his name, unfortunately, but I might write a letter anyway. EcoMouse, when you say "complain and not just to the hospital", where else could I write to? I am exceedingly about this, and feel just in the mood to write a strongly worded letter.

Do you think the NHS send out vouchers when they're crap like John Lewis do?

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PrettyCandles · 09/02/2010 16:27

The fact that the dr rushed off, embarassed, suggests that he has a personal issue with breastfeeding, and that he has let his own problems and prejudices get in the way of profesional best practice. Definitely complain. If he's getting something so fundamental wrong, what other attitudes is he inflicting on his little patients and their parents?

GeneHuntsMistress · 09/02/2010 16:28

that is so terribly shocking, and a doctor of all people! I breastfed so many times walking around Boots, Tescos, sitting in libraries and just about anywhere and everywhere. Never had a single commennt or "look" other than positive ones (mostly from old ladies, funnily enough, as i read on here so frequently they tend to be the most critical?)

i digress. you really must complain about this in the strongest terms - certain people there need to be educated and it seems the doctor is the one who needs this education the most desperately!

StewieGriffinsMom · 09/02/2010 16:28

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hmmSleep · 09/02/2010 16:28

I'm amazed, that's disgraceful and definitely deserving of a complaint letter! I really am quite shocked and surprised that it happened. I had my two dcs in Scotland where it has been illegal to ask a breastfeeding mother to stop since 2005. I'm now back in England but don't know if the same law is in effect here?

RubysReturn · 09/02/2010 16:31

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SlightlyDoolally · 09/02/2010 16:32

Ooh, good phrase, PrettyCandles I think I'll use that in my letter: "letting his own problems and prejudices get in the way of professional best practice". Sounds like I mean business.

chocolaterabbit DS is fine now, thanks. TBH, he was fine well before we saw the dr (can't believe a 90 min wait for a 10 month old when A&E was virtually deserted), but I wanted to get him checked out anyway as he'd fallen on his head. All well now and being his usual rascally self.

Thanks all for your supportive responses - I feel justified in writing to complain now I know it's not just me who would have BF in that situation.

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StewieGriffinsMom · 09/02/2010 16:34

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joanne34 · 09/02/2010 16:34

OMG ! Complain, Complain,Complain.

Which Hospital was it ? That is disgusting behaviour !

I would have lost the plot with him !

Contact local newspaper and make a mahoosive fuss !

I am flabbered-gasting - completely !

joanne34 · 09/02/2010 16:34

or flabber-gasted ! ( so tired )

StealthPolarBear · 09/02/2010 16:34

at your wait, always thought babies were rushed through, always been my experience anyway

cece · 09/02/2010 16:35

I can feel a letter coming on...