to BF my 10 month old in A&E?

[SlightlyDoolally]

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?

Just saw SPB mention this on the meet up thread. How terrible! I pretty recently bf my dd in there at the same sort of age, she was also seen a fair bit quicker than that! (felt like ages though). Hope you come to the meet ups

Unbelievable. OP, do let us know what happens when you write.

Haven't written to the hospital yet, but will do over the weekend when DH can take DS off my hands for a little while to allow me to compose something suitable. Will certainly post back if/when I hear anything.

And thanks for the links to the NE meet up threads, StealthPolarBear - I will certainly check them out. Would be nice to meet some other local mums.

Thanks all for your supportive messages and stories of similar experiences.

I complained after less than fantastic 'bedside manner' after taking the dds in to A & E for the first time ever a week apart (one with a 41 deg temp, one with big allergic reaction)

I e mailed the PALs dept I think after finding out where you complain to. I got a very long apologetic e mail from the head of emergency medecine after about a day re the treatment of dd2 and after about 3 letters a sort of apology from the out of hours GP service at A&E that dd1 saw.

It was clear that the situations had been looked into properly as they had cross referenced the times to find out which doctor we saw etc.

anyway it was very cathartic and I would recommend doing it asap while the details are fresh in your mind.

Oh and yanbu in the slightest of course

MrsGok you are seriously cool!

Tell us abiout the letter response!

YANBU - what an ignoramus.

Please do complain

twat. OP, you are so NBU

Cheeky fucker.
And good on you Gok.

Am staggered at aok's experience too.
Another arsehole.

God I would soooooo have loved to have demolished someone who took issue with me breastfeeding.
Annoyingly, people either very supportive, or didn't bat an eyelid.

Glad you're complaining. I'm appalled (although sadly not entirely surprised) that you got that reaction from a doctor. Earlier this year while my dad was in ITU, I found myself with a very distressed nearly-two-year-old who didn't know what the heck was going on. The only way to calm him down was with a boob and the only place in the entire hospital that I could find to sit down was the seat next to the door of a packed canteen towards the end of the lunch-hour. It was probably the most public spot in the entire country and I was expecting some funny looks, but I got loads of positive reactions, smiles and thumbs-up from doctors and nurses as they walked past me. Your doctor definitely sounds as if he has issues but he was well out of order in saying what he did to you

what an awful thing for a doctor to say to you!! the cheeky fecker!! i would definitely complain to the head of A&E and whoever the consultant overseeing the doctors work too as he/she would most likely need to know this point re; the Drs attitude. he should be re-trained on the importance of BF and the WHO/NICE guidelines aswell seeing as how he should be up to date and in agreement with these points to remain registered with the GMC

well done mrsgok

kick ass OP and let us know! will put this thread on watch, so you are beholden to complain now!!

I have had little breast feeding support from 3 paed registrars when my little girl was dropping through the centiles because she was vomiting copiously after and between every feed and in huge discomfort...I was just told to give her formula. it took until she was 11 weeks and the intervention of a very nice nurse to get to see a consultant paed (female who had breast fed) to diagnose reflux and give her medication.

I have been appalled by the lack of breast feeding support at my local hospital...also pretty crap while i was in hospital after she was born, was encouraged to give formula the first night as she was crying a lot. I didn't of course but it was the only thing suggested to me and when I said I didn't want formula they just left me to it.

anyway...I agree a letter of complaint is probably justified because things will never change unless we raise awareness. sad to say I don't suppose it will achieve anything other than making you feel better though.

Glad your DS is fine.

I cant beleive you were treated in that way.. I do hope you complain as he could do the same to another mother next week! What is wrong with some people

I thought that the difference between Scotland and England was that it was a criminal offence in Scotland and a civil offence in England. So, if this had taken place in Scotland you could have phoned the police, but in England you would have to take the doctor to court yourself.

But I am no expert!

Complain!!!!

bloody hell!!

I was taken ill whilst we had taken DD to A&E to check up on her eye - she had been caught in the eye with a bit of plastic and I was pfb. I was taken ill whilst we were there - I was taken through to majors - where i sat on the bed, waiting for the doctor - in agony with gallbladder pain, BF my baby - no one batted an eyelid - why should they?

Yes well done MrsGok i know that its hard but wish that everyone could handle the situation like you did.

Do, point out, too, that it would be cruel to not feed a hungry baby.

YANBU!!!

COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN!!!

(and attach a copy of this thread so he can see what a complete prick he is)

i am completely gobsmacked!

Thanks Ladies.

Confession time now, when I had DC1 (who is 8) I was asked to move lots of times, usually to the toilets and I meekly went as I though that was right. By the time I had DC2 (4.5) I had spent a lot of time on here and had a different circle of mum friends including the BF support group and knew my rights. I have to say though by the time I had DC3 (2.7 and has just self weaned) things are getting easier, I am not asked to move, stop etc as much, in fact I would say I only had about 3 or 4 negative comments with DC3.

MrsGok - you moved? To the toilets????!!!!! I bf all my kids - now all teenagers. Nobody ever said a word to me and I did it in public plenty times (on trains, in cafes, gp waiting rooms etc). Maybe something to do with the icy stare I fixed people with who looked like they might be considering a complaint!!

Catwalker to my eternal shame, yes I did. I was very timid and didn't want to upset people. But you can bet that I diddn't by DC2 and by DC3 I had sorted out that icy stare

I reckon with DC1 it averaged once a week or so I was asked to move.

DC2, once a month or so.

DC3 as I said I think I have oly had 3 or 4 comments. Mostly I got the 'aw!' looks and lots of nice comments, especially from the older generation.

So I think it is getting better out there.

OP please complain to who ever you have to and let us know how it goes.

During the numerous visits to A & E with DS, at one stage, the Paed came in while I was feeding, and said, 'I don't mind examining him while you feed him...'

It wasn't weird, it was the best thing to do in the circumstances as DS was freaked out by doctors.