A new mum has opened up on how she was banned from seeing her newborn child due to "distressing" Covid-19 rules.
Charlotte Jonsie, 29, said she was banned from seeing her six-week-old little boy, Leo for six days after being rushed to hospital with gastritis and a blood infection.
At the time she was breastfeeding, but when she asked if her baby could be brought to her so she could feed him, she was shocked to find out she was not allowed.
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In emotional pictures, baby Leo could be seen cosying up to his mother's dressing gown with his dad Matt, 37, instead, so he could maintain a bond with his absent mum.
Meanwhile Charlotte snuggled her son's baby grow in hospital so that she could keep up her milk supply and keep her separation anxiety at bay.
"It was honestly distressing," Charlotte said. "It's a lot to digest and figure out while I was feeling so unwell.
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"I wasn't really aware of it until I put something up on social media and I had mums reaching out to me saying the same thing happened to them.
"There's a huge oversight for new mums in the restrictions that needs look at.
"It sounds crazy but being away from him for six days, I missed out on so much. His facial features changed and he's proper smiling now.
"Of course I was sent pictures of WhatsApp from my partner, updating me with what Leo was doing but he's developing at such a speed, I missed out on little bits.
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"I just want to raise awareness about what is going on. I just cried so much during those six days."
She added: "I'm lucky enough to have a supportive partner who was there for Leo but what about single mums? Who will look after their baby?
"Then there's the risk of post-natal depression, the baby being distressed, the baby not feeding well due to the sudden change."
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The rules are part of Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust's Covid-19 protocol, which "limits all but essential visiting".
But Charlotte says these regulations go against NICE guidelines on separating mums and babies.
Following her own experiences, life coach and mummy blogger Charlotte is calling for a change from hospitals, and insisting they allow breastfeeding mums to take their babies into non-Covid wards.
Charlotte adds that doing this is essential when it comes to reducing the impact of separation on parents and children.
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During her time in hospital, Charlotte pumped milk which she then handed to nurses to give to her partner at reception.
"There are no fridge facilities to even store the pumped milk. There's many factors to consider," she went on.
Many people identified with her heartache, 'liking' and responding to her post on her Instagram, @charlottejonsie, at the time.
"People have got in touch with me on Instagram to tell me new mums are discharging themselves because of the restrictions," Charlotte added.
"They have no choice. Of course, I appreciate it's a pandemic. But those first few weeks and months are so critical.
"I think something has to be done, to look at what's going on."
Describing the regulations as a "blanket stamp against new mums" Charlotte said that being apart from their kids for so long is a "terrifying and scary experience".
Going forward, she urges hospitals to see Mums & babies as one unit not two.
Charlotte gave birth to 6lb 11oz Leo on October 10 after a 90-hour labour at the maternity unit of Princess Royal University Hospital.
After being separated from hospital, Charlotte finally reunited with her son on Monday.
Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has been contacted for comment.
Topics: Life, Coronavirus, Motherhood, Parenting, Real Life, Life, Coronavirus, Motherhood, Parenting, Real Life