Hellobee Boards

This definitely isn't the way to go about it, there have to be more positive ways to encourage breastfeeding. I can't imagine if you had a physical impediment or medical condition that precluded even trying breastfeeding, and then to be lectured about not considering it.

I will say, however, that I am SHOCKED how many free formula samples, advertisements, and "trinkets" my OBGYN gives out and has around. I don't think anyone has asked me if I'm breastfeeding or not (and I plan to) but it definitely "primes" your brain to think about/consider formula when it is handed to you at every appointment instead of say.. nipple pads or breastmilk storage bags!

Rhode Island, where I live and gave birth, was the first to do this, and it seems to be working fine. Formula is available to anyone who needs it, but the freebies to everyone have stopped. There doesn't seem to be pressure or stigma. I breastfed, but needed to supplement because my milk came it late, and they gave it to me without lectures or propaganda.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2011/11/26/ri_hospitals_end_baby_formula_giveaways/

I think the reason why this is such a big deal with what Bloomberg is proposing is because the media used the phrase "formula will locked up", which is inflammatory and alarmist and not even accurate.

I think it's ok for a hospital to encourage breastfeeding, as long as they are not forcing it as THE ONLY choice for moms. And it doesn't sound like that's what they're doing. I think keeping it "locked up" (which, as @truffleb: pointed out, isn't really an accurate statement) is just a way to encourage nurses to encourage moms to try breastfeeding. Formula will still be available, it just won't be such a quick fix. It's just like how they have medications "locked up," too. Nurses may want to just throw medicine at an agitated patient, but by forcing them to sign it out of a machine or from a pharmacist, it can sometimes cause them to take a moment and decide if that really is the best solution to the issue. Maybe mom is getting frustrated because something isn't working. Instead of just running out of the room and handing her a bottle, this will cause the nurse to spend a minute to help troubleshoot the issue, or call the lactation consultant.

I think once again the media has taken something out of context and caused a big stir about it when really, it's not THAT big of an issue.

ETA: It also says the program is voluntary for hospitals.

I disagree, too. I think the plan is great. First of all, it's voluntary for hospitals, so it's not like this is "the law." I don't see anything wrong with keeping formula locked up--this program doesn't take away the right to use formula, mothers just have to ask.

I gave birth in a "breastfeeding friendly" hospital in NYC (it's actually the hospital with the most births in NY State, I believe) and there was lots of formula flowing--even though I said I wanted to breastfeed. The lactation specialists were awesome but they couldn't always be there and boy was I guilted into using formula. It was everywhere, whenever they brought me the baby from a test or bath there were 2 formula bottles placed on my tray. They sent us home with a massive gift-bag of formula. I felt like it was really hypocritical that the hospital and nurses said they were breastfeeding friendly but also pushed so much formula.

I would rather have been able to ask if I felt like I needed to use it, instead of it being shoved down my throat.

I'm saying Bravo to Bloomberg.

I live in Switzerland (the home of Nestle, a big formula producer). There was not one sample of formula given out by the doctor's office or the hospital. In fact, the only freebie was a box of breast pads from Penaten (German Johnson & Johnson).

I choose to BF and did so for 14m but also needed to supplement with formula and was happy to have some on hand when the need arose (wasn't in a state to run out and get some at 1AM when DD was screaming, my nipples were bleeding/sore and found myself without any support-the LC at the hospital I delivered only work 9-5 and not on weekends). I understand the push to actively encourage BF but also agree that more and more women are being made to feel guilty if they choose to FF or even supplement; I had HUGE mommy guilt for having to supplement due to poor supply.

I don't necessarily disagree with the idea that formula shouldn't be given out so freely (as I understand it is a very large marketing campaign) but do disagree with Bloomberg similar to the other bans he's tried to put into place recently (large sized sodas, salt content, etc); I don't feel it is his place to make the decision for me, to limit my choice, or make me feel ashamed for the decision I do make.

@purrpletulips: in a perfect world, I agree. However, food marketing is destroying our country's health. Should the mayor sit by and do nothing?

Moms don't normally go and get their own cans of formula in the hospital so I think this policy might be more directed at nurses. To get them to see it as a supplement instead of a go to.

My hospital said it was very pro-breastfeeding and mostly it was but I did have one nurse who seemed to be looking for any reason to give her a bottle, like if I didn't fill out the times on the chart when I nursed her.

@purrpletulips: what about the millions of people who are obese or morbidly obese though? It's not right that the government (you and me) has to pay healthcare costs while food companies make all the profits.

@mrbee: I don't think we should have to pay for others poor choices but again I think the push should be to reduce the marketing of "unhealthy" options (such as fast or processed food items) and education of those who are in a position to offer guidance/advise (the nursing staff at hospitals like @andrea said).

As a WOHM with an hour commute one way I try very hard to make healthy meals for my family but getting home after 6PM on weeknights does not permit me to make everything from scratch the way my grandmother was able to do unless I want my family to eat dinner at 9PM or spend no time with my family on weekends because I have to spend all my time prepping meals for the week. I also feel that the push to compete with other countries academically has hurt our families in that there is a push to "get up and move" yet one of the first things to be eliminated from schools during budget cuts is physical education and recess. With the advance of electronic devises and TV, kids aren't encouraged to go outside and play like when I was growing up and that too has hurt. I think educating people on what is a better option is better than forcing people into doing something that someone else feels is right for them (the Pilgrims came to America to get away from religious persecution yet current America is fine with persecuting individuals for other choices).

@moderndaisy: I like your perspective, not living in NYC I don't personally have experience with Bloomberg's decisions. While I have my opinions on "government" limiting individual's choices I have also seen the benefit from some (it is nice to come home from dinner out and not smell like an ashtray thanks to smoking bans).

@purrpletulips: I know, it's good and bad. When I first heard about the sugary drink ban I thought it was totally crazy, then after thinking about it some more I started wondering why things like a 24 oz slurpee are even an option in the first place? It's not like there's a limit to how many 16 ozer's you can buy so you can still get nutz with a slurpee if that's your thing, but that much sugar is so bad for you it seems slightly irresponsible for vendors to even offer that in the first place.

@Pink Champagne: Honestly, it's easy to have this response when you haven't been through birth yet. Not to be snarky about it but you aren't just "tired"- you are sleep-deprived, sore, hormonal and just absolutely mentally and physically spent. The last thing you need is to hear the "Breast is best" speech for the 100th time. I had a lot of trouble BFing in the hospital. I was so thankful for the nurses who suggested I take a break for a few days and FF when I was in a lot of pain and bawling my eyes out at 3am while my son was screaming with hunger. It wasn't a "quick fix"- it was preserving my sanity. The hospital did make every resource available to me if I wanted to work on BFing but I made the choice not to. I wouldn't have been any more motivated if they had made it more difficult to get formula and that's what I think makes this mandate crazy.

So it's a lovely thought that you will exhaust every possible option to BF. I hope you do if it's something that you are passionate about. But some of us really don't want to do that and I shouldn't have to validate my reasons for that to anyone.

@mrstilly: It's not the same, but leaders and governments have (or should have) an interest in public health. While I am glad formula exists for those babies who for whatever reason don't receive breast milk, the fact is that breast milk is better for babies, and that's a public health issue.

@mrstilly: I totally agree. I have no issue with smoking bans, or bans on soda. Formula is food necessary for an infant's survival (if you don't/can't BF); and treating formula like some evil candy some mother's want to give because they are not trying as hard as other mothers is obnoxious.

I planned to BF and my milk never came in. LO was HUNGRY in the hospital and upset/crying a lot because of it. Even tho I approved the nurses to give her formula, I met a lot of resistance. Then, because she lost so much weight because I didn't have any milk/colestrum, I was made to feel like a shitty parent because she lost too much weight. She needed formula, not for me to get another lecture from the daily lactation consultations I had.

I don't know any moms who FF because they are lazy, because they are marketing scheme victims or because they want an easy solution. Yet, you see those myths perpetrated everywhere, subtly and not so subtly.

I think this "ban" is taking things too far - formula is a necessary type of food, not baby candy given out by moms dont care as much as those who BF. Bah.

We are planning on BFing, but if there are problems or if we need to supplement, then I have no problem with formula. In fact, I'd be grateful to have samples at the house so that I don't have to send Hubs out in the middle of the night to get something LO might need.
I agree that "locking up" is a very inflammatory statement, designed to upset readers. Aren't most things in the hospital regulated? When I was in the hospital for a few nights last summer, I had to ask for anything that I needed. It was all kept track of and charted. It seems like formula will be the same way.

Promoting and Support? No problem.

Pushing and Restriction? Way over the line.