Bloomberg banning bottle feeding?

[Michele]

It seems like our experiences are varied and regional. I had a very easy time making milk and an easy time convincing the nurses I didn't need formula....but I was told often (daily in the NICU) how rare I was. I'm also not someone who needs any sleep after the birth of my kids (crazy since I normally need 9-10h a night). I was awake for 3-5 days after each birth. C-sections x 3.

Education is a great idea...but so might be limiting the influence of the formula companies. I don't think they are under the same regulations as pharmaceutical companies. Kinda like how Hills Science Diet and Purina pimp to vet students, Nestle Purina is a major formula manufacturer. Everyone knows that formula exists. It doesn't need to be advertised anymore. It doesn't need to be pushed as a GREAT new medical development. It should be available as an option for those who don't breast feed, not advertised and pushed as a way to cure tummy upset and to promote longer sleep stretches. And personally, it REALLY irritates me when they claim to be as good as breast milk.

[ladymoreta]

Also, why is formula the only thing provided free by hospitals to mothers/other patients? Seems odd to me that this is the ONLY medical thing that hospitals willingly help advertise (other than themselves). There are lots of choices as a parent and a patient, I just think it's odd that formula companies have gotten so cozy with hospitals. Why not free diapers? Why not free vaccines? Why not a free outfit sponsored by Carters?

I got free Pampers, and they told us we could take home one of the white Gerber onesies. I would have paid money for more of their swaddle blankets, but they did give us two. I didn't get any formula.

I agree that hospitals should be better at supporting breastfeeding. It took two days and much "reminding" from me to get a lactation consultant for DS. DD was very tongue tied, and both the LC and my pediatrician wanted to just wait-and-see (for what???) instead of clipping it, even though it was very painful.

However, I think that the main effort should be focused on pregnant women and getting them to decide to BF prior to giving birth. My hospital offered a free breastfeeding class if you were delivering there, and I got plenty of Medela swag.