This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?
Care Opinion

Breastfeeding support during lockdown

Posted By Cavi2015

"Breastfeeding support during lockdown"

About: Fife Community Services / Breast Feeding Support Service Maternity care / Community Midwives Maternity care / Maternity Ward

(as a service user),

I had a baby a week before the first lockdown in 2020 and intended to breastfeed despite it being my second baby I had never breastfed before. I was given great support in hospital by both midwifes and auxiliary staff and I felt semi confident when I was discharged after a one night stay in the postnatal ward. By the time my baby was 3 days old I was struggling with lots of pain whilst breastfeeding and needed support. When my community Midwife visited me she said my pain was due to damage but I should contact breastfeeding support for a visit. I immediately called the local breastfeeding team and spoke with someone who informed me due to pandemic they were not allowed to visit me in my home and I should speak to my Midwife.

I felt so deflated and unsupported. My Midwife had already been and didn't offer great help apart from telling me to call the breastfeeding support team. I felt like no one would come near me to help and I was in agony. I managed to feed my baby for one more day but then stopped as I was so so sore and just didn't know who else to turn to. It really affected me and I believe it contributed to my very poor mental health in the months that followed. If someone had just taken me under their wing and offered to help who knows I might still be breastfeeding now but it hasn't turned out like that. I felt very let down but these services and all due to a pandemic which I felt made them scared and no one knew what was happening and what services were allowed and which were not.  

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Aileen Lawrie, Director of Midwifery, Woman and Children's Directorate, NHS Fife 3 years ago
Aileen Lawrie
Director of Midwifery, Woman and Children's Directorate,
NHS Fife

Professional Lead for Midwifery and Nursing in Women and Children's

Submitted on 01/02/2021 at 15:25
Published on Care Opinion at 15:25

Dear Cavi2015, can I first offer our apologies' for the experience you have had of our breastfeeding support as this is not the standard that is expected. If you would like to speak with us regarding your experience please contact me, either via switchboard or via patient relations. Sometimes talking through your experience can help and it also means that we can provide feedback to the staff involved in your care. If you do not wish to speak to us you can also talk with your GP or health visitor if you feel your mental health has been negatively affected. I hope this is helpful for you moving forward

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Angela Wigham, Lead Nurse - Children and Young Peoples Community Nursing Service, Children's Services, Health & Social Care Partnership Fife Wide Childrens Services 3 years ago
Angela Wigham
Lead Nurse - Children and Young Peoples Community Nursing Service, Children's Services,
Health & Social Care Partnership Fife Wide Childrens Services

Submitted on 01/02/2021 at 15:52
Published on Care Opinion at 16:17

Thank you Cavi2015 for taking the time to give feedback on your experience following the birth of your second baby.

Having a new baby can be challenging in normal times but to face these challenges during a pandemic even more so. I am sorry to hear that the experience of looking for breastfeeding support during this time was not positive and this left you feeling unsupported, let down and helpless.

I will share your story with the staff from the Breastfeeding Support service to highlight how important it is to provide support to breastfeeding Mums when requested and the negative impact, longer term, this can have when not received. I am certain they will also be saddened to hear you story.

I appreciate that some time has passed since the request for support was made, however I recognise that this experience has had a longer term impact on your mental health. I would therefore like to give you the opportunity to discuss this further with myself, the breastfeeding support staff, or with your Health Visitor. You can contact me on 01383 565101 to arrange this.

Best Wishes

Angela Wigham

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k