Mother of baby fighting for life left ‘shocked’ at being denied hospital meals as she was not breastfeeding

Sophie Price says Grange University Hospital refused to provide her with meals while she stayed beside her critically ill newborn daughter, because she was not breastfeeding. She has since launched a campaign against the policy, arguing that mothers who use formula should also be supported during a child’s hospital stay.

Florence was admitted with bronchiolitis, rhinoviruses and a blood infection, and needed breathing support during a three-week stay. Price, who was recovering from childbirth complications, says she went 28 hours without food and that her family spent more than £1,000 on hospital canteen meals and takeaways. The health board’s policy provides food for a parent on a paediatric ward only if they are breastfeeding; it later supplied formula after Price’s mother contacted the hospital.