"Tarnished the otherwise positive experience I had"

I had to take my child to be assessed via the OOH service and we were subsequently admitted into the Children's Ward.

The staff at the Children's Unit were really friendly and kind, the nurses in particular were so reassuring and really made me feel welcome and looked after us. They recognised I was a little distressed after having my child admitted. 

Both my child and I were well looked after, and thankfully only had to stay until the following day for observations. The care we received was second to none. It was clear the nursing/assistants and doctors were extremely busy, but nothing was a bother to them when I asked for anything and they checked in on us all night which was so lovely. 

The only thing that I really would like to mention which concerned me was the next morning at breakfast time, I was asked by one of the nursing auxiliaries if I wanted any breakfast as, and I quote, she said 'we feed breastfeeding mums'. I didn't think too much of it initially, but the same member of staff came in on another 2 occasions to ask if I needed any food/drink, and again stated that the department 'feeds breastfeeding mums'. Had this been said on one occasion I would have accepted this as a flippant comment, but the fact that she reiterated this several times made me feel deeply concerned. 

I have been fortunate enough to be able to breastfeed but know of family and friends, for a variety of reasons, who were either unable to do this or made the decision not to. This can be upsetting enough, but especially in an environment where emotions are already high. I appreciate that the 'breast is best' approach is encouraged in hospitals, but in this day and age people should be able to, and sometimes are not given options, to make these decisions, and to suggest that people who are not 'breastfeeding mums' are not given the same level of care as those who are is not, something I feel should not be acceptable or implied to parents. 

It was a shame as this has tarnished the otherwise positive experience I had within the ward and hope this is something that can be used as constructive feedback within the clinical area.