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Formula feeding

Posted By attendantbz96

"Formula feeding"

About: Osborne Park Hospital / Maternity care

(as the patient),

I had an amazing planned c section at OPH. I was very nervous going in but staff were reassuring and supportive, and the whole process was smooth and I felt that my baby and I were in capable and caring hands. The operation and recovery were quick and I was back on the ward and in the hands of the midwives not long after. 

I had great experiences with several of the midwives, particularly Emma (Scottish midwife), Caitlyn, Meagan, and Shay (an ECU recent grad I think). In particular Emma and Shay were so supportive and made me feel cared for and understood at all times. 

Unfortunately there was only one disappointing experience, which was one of the midwifes. I recall they had moments of being caring towards my baby, but unfortunately was also very condescending toward me about certain things particularly in regard to formula feeding. I have previously struggled with low milk supply so I knew going in that breastfeeding would be hard and had communicated this to midwives and doctors and explained I may need to do formula top ups to which most had no issue (as I feel they shouldn’t). My baby was very unsettled due to hunger during the night and I asked several times for formula top ups to help them and this midwife told me it was against hospital policy as there was no medical reason. A distressed and hungry baby surely constitutes a medical reason to feed them, plus I am their mother and ultimately it’s my decision. Instead my baby was taken away a couple times for a couple hours on end to allow me to rest, but I presumed my baby was left to cry as they were not given formula whilst away from me and returned to me still unsettled. When I asked the midwife if my baby had even napped in that time I recall they replied they didn’t know. Clearly, I felt, they had no interest in caring for my baby and following up on their well-being wherever my baby was left. Even the pediatrician who saw my baby the next day saw how unsettled they were and couldn’t believe they weren't being given formula and encouraged me to ask another midwife. 
It’s really disappointing as my experience with my firstborn at a sibling hospital was the opposite - they were so supportive of giving my baby formula to help them out and to continue to support me in determining if I wanted to continue breastfeeding. 

I understand “breast is best” but I think a blanket hospital policy of only giving formula for 'medical reasons' is outdated and needs review. In my opinion, it should ultimately be up to the mother to decide, the hospital should only provide guidance on options. 
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Responses

Response from Diane Barr, Executive Director, Women and Newborn Health Service, North Metropolitan Health Service about a year and a half ago
Diane Barr
Executive Director, Women and Newborn Health Service,
North Metropolitan Health Service

Submitted on 7/11/2022 at 6:37 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 8/11/2022 at 9:57 AM

picture of Diane Barr

Dear attendantbz96,

Congratulations on the birth of your baby. Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback regarding your experience with the Women and Newborn Health Service (WNHS) Osborne Park Hospital (OPH). We rely on feedback such as yours to ensure that we make the best decisions for our patients and this gives us the opportunity to reflect on the service we provide.

I am pleased to hear that your planned caesarean section was managed efficiently and that you received the support and guidance you needed before and after the birth of your baby.

It is pleasing to hear that you had a positive experience with the midwifery team involved in your care. I will ensure your appreciative comments are sent to Emma, Caitlyn, Meagan and Shay.

WNHS OPH and King Edward Memorial Hospital are members of the Baby Friendly Health Initiative (BFHI), a joint World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Children’s Fund (UNICEF) project. The aim is to give every baby the best start in life by creating a health care environment where breastfeeding is the norm and practices known to promote the health and well-being of all babies and their mothers are followed. There are ten steps to successful breastfeeding, and this is the global standard by which healthcare facilities are assessed and accredited.

However, a ‘baby friendly’ facility is one where a mother’s informed choice of feeding is encouraged, respected and supported and I am sorry to hear that in your experience this was not the case. The midwife in question should have listened to and discussed your concerns and if you, once given all the appropriate information, still chose to give your baby formula as a top up to breastfeeding, then your decision should have supported.

I am also sorry to hear that you were separated from your baby overnight with the intention of allowing you to rest. Our policy is that babies are not to be routinely separated from their mothers at night. This applies to babies who are breast or breast milk substitute fed.

We take feedback seriously and should you wish to discuss the issues further please contact the Women and Newborn Customer Service Unit (CSU) on 6458 1444, who will make the arrangements to have your case reviewed. We can then speak to the midwife in question and offer them further education and support to enable them to better understand and respect new mothers in their chosen method of feeding.

Thank you once again for your feedback and I wish you and your family all the best for the future.

Diane Barr

Executive Director

Women and Newborn Health service

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