Mother says hospital refused her food while critically ill baby was treated

Sophie Price says she was refused a hospital meal while her critically ill newborn daughter was being treated at Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran because she was not breastfeeding. The Aneurin Bevan health board says ward teams can provide basic food and refreshments to parents who cannot leave their child’s bedside, and that discounted meals and hardship support are also available.

Price, 22, from Newport, had given birth at the hospital five days earlier. She and her husband, Ryli, had returned after Florence began struggling to breathe. The baby was diagnosed with bronchiolitis, rhinoviruses and a blood infection, and needed breathing support during a three-week hospital stay.

Price told BBC Wales she had gone about 28 hours without eating when staff asked whether she was breastfeeding. She said she had stopped after the first 24 hours because Florence was no longer taking her breast milk, and was shocked when she was told she could not have a meal.

She also described being in pain after childbirth and said she relied on relatives to bring food while her husband was at work. Her family said they spent more than £1,000 buying meals from the hospital canteen and takeaways during Florence’s stay.

The health board said meals are provided to mothers receiving maternity care, while on paediatric wards the child is classed as the patient. Its policy provides meals for breastfeeding mothers because this supports the baby’s feeding and nutrition. It said formula was available for babies who needed it, while Price said staff initially told her she would have to bring it herself. After her mother contacted the hospital, the family continued receiving formula for Florence.

The board said it was sorry to hear about Price’s experience and was committed to supporting families. It said help with basic food, refreshments, discounted meals and financial hardship is considered according to each family’s circumstances and the child’s needs.

Price is calling for hospitals to provide meals to mothers whether they breastfeed or formula-feed. She said the policy left her feeling unsupported at a time when she was worried about her daughter.