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"I felt totally disheartened"

About: University Hospital Wishaw / Maternity Care

(as the patient),

Gave birth  and was planning on breastfeeding. This is my third baby but had never breastfed previously so needed some help. The nurses on the ward helped me and gave me advice and sat with me for sometime anytime I buzzed and although I struggled at times and felt stressed I was still learning.

The next afternoon before being discharged we noticed some urates in my baby's nappy so let staff know. Another staff member appeared, I'm not sure what their title was but they made me feel like it was all my fault and how my baby was not getting enough breast milk. Staff asked if we could be discharged after next feed to see how baby was with a wet or dirty nappy. This staff member again appeared and told me the way I was handling my baby to feed was wrong, latch wasn't the best and I needed to start again. So basically what I had been told by nurses for the last 24 hours on getting their advice and help as I was new to this was basically wrong? I felt totally disheartened and felt as if I was being spoken to like a child. My hormones were all over the place and emotions are high so I decided there and then to bottle feed as I felt I was being made to feel the reason my baby could have been showing urates was all my fault! Since being home I have introduced breast first then offered formula to top up and have the infant feeding team coming to see me. 

But I am just appalled at how staff can speak to new mothers like this and I thought they were meant to help with breastfeeding and help you. I say staff 99% of the staff between labour and post natal were so helpful but this one individual just ruined my starting experience. 

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Responses

Response from Elaine Daly, NHS Lanarkshire 2 months ago
Elaine Daly
NHS Lanarkshire
Submitted on 13/03/2025 at 15:36
Published on Care Opinion at 16:50


Dear Nn93,

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience within the Postnatal Ward and congratulations of the birth of your baby.

I am extremely disheartened to learn that not all interactions with our staff memebers felt positive leaving you with a disappointing view of your time within our Postnatal Ward. This is certainly not the standard of care we aim to deliver and I would like to invite you to contact me directly to allow us to discuss your experience in more detail and where we can focus our improvements within the ward.

I can be contacted on 01698 361100 ext 5895 or by email at Elaine.Daly@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk

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