Mum of critically ill baby denied hospital food as she wasn't breastfeeding

A first-time mum was denied hospital meals while her baby was "fighting for her life" because she was not breastfeeding.

Sophie Price, 22, was "shocked" when staff refused to give her a meal while her daughter Florence was being treated on a paediatric ward at Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran, Torfaen.

Despite giving birth in the hospital five days earlier, she was told she was no longer classed as a patient as she was not breastfeeding, so she would not be provided with meals.

Aneurin Bevan health board said it was "sorry to hear about Sophie's experience" and was "committed to supporting families throughout their child's stay".

"It was just an awful experience. I just needed a hot meal to keep going for my daughter," said Sophie, from Newport.

Her family said they spent more than £1,000 on food from the canteen and takeaway meals during their three-week stay at the hospital while Florence was treated.

The health board said mothers are provided with meals while under the care of hospital maternity services as both them and their baby are classed as patients, whether they are breastfeeding or not.

But on paediatric wards, only the child is classed as the patient, however the hospital's policy is to provide breastfeeding mums with meals as this directly supports the baby's feeding and nutrition.

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