This is so sad. This shouldn't happen on an oncology ward with children. Shouting and screaming in front of these Children just because someone breastfed her baby ! Idiots !

Hugs Andy

How can parents be such idiots to upset thier kids I fell really sorry for clare and her sister and the poor kids whose parents won't be able to visit them .I hope your day and the kids day gets better keep up the good work Andy

This is just pathetic. The way people overreact to any form of nudity or potential nudity (I'm sure Clare was being somewhat discreet) is unbelievable. What do they think is going to happen? "Oh no, my child has seen a woman breastfeeding and will suddenly become a child molester!"

People are stupid.

Things are getting back to normal and the kids have calmed down.  I've just had lunch, so am feeling better.  But there is a certain tension on the ward.  Hope it goes by tomorrow.

Thanks guys  

So glad things are better.  Stupidity in people always seems to cause some type of mess.  Hope this blows over and Claire and her sister don't fret over it.  The parents should think about what they did and how it affected the little ones.

Hugs Andy

Stupidity unfortunately is forever, at least ignorance can be fixed. Even if Claire's sister was totally indiscreet, there should never have been such an uproar. A quiet word with someone on the ward who then whispered to mom would have solved the problem. Maybe the over-reacting parents needed a tension release.

Sounds like some sick kids with obsessively over-protective parents who may need some counseling.   Shouting, using obscenities and causing a ruckus in general are not what one would expect of adult behaviour on a pediatric oncology ward.  

Keep your report factual, straight forward and to the point.  If new rules of behaviour for visitors need to be implemented, be sure the suggestions are yours and not some ignorant ass'!

I will never understand why people make such a big deal over a woman breastfeeding her child, don't they realize that two generations back (for many of us) bottles were never used at all? At to upset the children, and the mother, with foul language and rudeness is unthinkable. Sorry to hear that your morning started so rough, hope the rest of the day goes better for you and the kids. 

The sad thing is, that it could have been a teachable moment as the parents should have taken the opportunity to explain to their children that the mommy was feeding her baby.  End of story for most kids.

Like the quote goes, "You can't fix stupid!". Unfortunately, we're always going to have to deal with that faction. Much as we wish it were different, these people apparently just can't help themselves. But it still doesn't excuse behavior of that sort. I'm sorry you and the kids had to suffer the experience.

Isn't this a "baby friendly hospital"? If it is then, the woman has the right to breastfeed on the premises. They can not stop you on a legal basis.

blame the baby milk industry and their propaganda that breast milk is bad and bottled milk is good... good for their profits The switch to formula milk has been a disaster - culturally (what you've just seen on your ward), economically for families (good for those companies though...) and healthwise - studies have shown beyond doubt that breastfed babies are healthier babies. As if any reasonable person would expect otherwise...