A routine postnatal check-up at a Manchester hospital descended into a scene of unimaginable distress for a first-time mother, after a catastrophic administrative error led to her being handed – and breastfeeding – another woman's baby.
The shocking incident, which has prompted a major internal investigation, occurred when a healthcare assistant mistakenly brought the wrong newborn to the 28-year-old mother for a feeding session. The mother, who wishes to remain anonymous, had just given birth to her own son via Caesarean section.
A Mother's Instinct Recognises the Unthinkable
Despite being exhausted and vulnerable post-surgery, the new mum's innate maternal instinct immediately raised alarms. She reportedly told her own mother, who was present in the room, that something felt profoundly wrong.
«Her exact words were, 'This doesn't feel right, this baby doesn't feel like mine,'» the grandmother later recounted. It was this gut feeling that triggered the realisation of the horrifying mistake.
Hospital Apology and Launched Investigation
The Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust has issued a full and unreserved apology for the «unacceptable» error. A spokesperson confirmed that a serious incident investigation is underway to understand how the failings occurred and to prevent anything similar from happening again.
«We have offered our sincere apologies to the families affected and are providing them with ongoing support,» the Trust stated. The case highlights critical concerns over patient verification protocols and safety checks within maternity services.
Broader Implications for Maternity Care
This alarming event has sent ripples through the healthcare community, raising urgent questions about the safeguards in place to protect newborns and their mothers during their most vulnerable moments. Experts emphasise that such breaches, while rare, can have significant emotional and psychological consequences for all parties involved.
The focus is now on reviewing procedures, including the tagging and matching of babies to mothers, to ensure a failure of this magnitude cannot be repeated.
