"Breast Feeding Support"

I recently had my first baby. She was born via Cesarean section and had some mucus in her chest and so was kept in neonatal for a few days. 

I was very conscious when breast feeding that she was still hungry and would get frustrated easily (she had been topped up with formula in Neonatal). I did not want to go home if I couldn't feed her properly and this was causing me a lot of distress and no sleep. 

It was recommended I could spent some time in the Peterhead Maternity Unit to get further support and one-to-one time with feeding. We arrived at 5pm and the day shift were lovely, patient, prepped a bottle of formula if she needed a top up and got me set up on the pump.

I feel I did not have the same experience with the night shift staff. I was told if I wanted to breastfeed I couldn't use formula and had to just power through the feeding. There is no issue with her latch or positioning but it was what was focused on, despite us saying it was the quantity we were concerned with. 

My baby grew increasingly upset and frustrated but they kept pushing me to get her to latch. They told me babies cry - it won't matter if she is breastfed or formula fed, and I would just have to persevere. 

They took her out the room to settle her, which took over and hour, so I could sleep, but then the same thing began as soon as she was hungry again. I was crying uncontrollably at this point and had to beg them to give my baby some formula and to call my partner so I could go home. 

They did this but convinced me to stay until morning. I was meant to stay for 2 days but went home the next day. Before my partner when home, he also told them I have anxiety and depression, and this too was brushed off. 

It was a horrible experience and I still cry thinking about it. Every other experience we have had in Peterhead was fabulous but this has changed the way I view them for help and support.