"We'd never tolerate the thought of hospitals giving out coupons for Big Macs on the cardiac unit," said Dr. Bartick, an internist. Since lack of breastfeeding is clearly associated with multiple adverse health outcomes in children and mothers, distribution of formula marketing materials by hospitals and health care providers has been recognized as unethical since at least 1981, when the World Health Organization approved the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes.
It's a great disservice to assume anyone can breastfeed. I took breastfeeding classes, Bradley classes, and joined La Leche League. I saw several lactation consultants. Next time I have a baby I will probably nurse initially and see if if baby is satisfied, but will most likely plan on bottlefeeding.
My question is, will I have to bring my own formula to the hospital? Will I have to pay hospital prices for some formula? What will I do as a bottlefeeding mom in the hospital?
Again, this is being turned into a breast feeding versus bottlefeeding debate. The point of this article is that is unfair to market formula to new moms. That does not mean you will have to bring your own formula to the hospital. You will not have to pay for formula at the hospital. You simply won't get one of those goofy diaper bags stuffed full of ads and fomula that every other new mom in town has, assuming you are delivering in Massachusetts that is.
And it is not a disservice to assume anyone can breastfeed. It is perfectly acceptable to assume that every milk making mammal with breasts can nurse their young. That is what they are there for, after all. That's not to say that women will choose to nurse, or that those who do will not have difficulty.
And technically, all women are "meant to breastfeed" or they wouldn't have breasts. :chuckle
I think this statement is likely to inflame those who have tried desperately, and been unable to breastfeed, as well as those who have medical contra-indications to breastfeeding.
I think this statement is likely to inflame those who have tried desperately, and been unable to breastfeed, as well as those who have medical contra-indications to breastfeeding.
I think it already has. Simply passing on a link about legislation to stop the underhanded marketing by formula companies has inflamed people. I truly feel for women who have tried to nurse, and only been met with difficulty. And those who genuinely have a contraindication to breast feeding. I have known those women, I have worked with those women.
However, I think most people would find it difficult to disagree that breasts were not meant for feeding purposes. No? Nature is not so imperfect to put them there simply for decoration. JMO.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
I agree RNL/D, breasts are really misconstued in this culture. Hence, the necessity to pass LAWS to "allow" breastfeeding women to feed their children in public. It's ridiculous.
Breastfeeding is a commitment. In all my years in the NICU, I have yet to see a mother give up breastfeeding because she was given a free sample of formula & a diaper bag.
Moms who are unable to breastfeed or have no desire to breastfeed should be supported in their decisions to bottle feed as much as the mom who breastfeeds. They did not arrive at their decisions hastily. We all have different gifts and/or talents to offer our children, & we should celebrate those differences. That's what makes us all unique.
To take away a service that supports a portion of the population seems to me to be sending the message that "we think you are a second rate parent because your choice is different than mine."
I completely agree w/ you. I breastfed all three of my kids, including one who was in NICU for the week. It was easy and went very well for me. It is truly torture for some, in spite of (and in some cases because of lactation consultants) who work w/ new moms. If we want to promote brestfeeding, don't target moms who have already made a decision postpartum. Give moms all the info. (GOOD AND BAD) re. breastfeeding before deilvery. How many lactation consultants meet w/ moms fror free prior to delivery?(Not in a class parents pay for) How about some TV ads you health departments out there??? Breast is a HUGE committment for moms. It is not for everyone. It is none of our business why a mom doesn't choose to breastfeed. No means NO. If someone has all of the info. and chooses not to breastfeed, it is after all their body and their child. Sure it is more healthy if milk supply is adequate, etc. I wish all of my patients would stop smoking and not eat greasy foods. They have all of the info. and choose not to heed it. Breast is best most of the time. We are there to educate, not dictate. Sorry but bottle feeding is not the same as smoking. Formula does have nutritional value and second hand formula breath is not hazardous to others. Moms don't bottle feed based on little promotional items, any more that they breastfeed because we give out free samples of lansinoh or purelan which our LC (who is super BTW) does. Mom and baby's happiness and health as a couple are my main interests. That includes physical and mental health. A mom who hates breastfeeding can have problems bonding. If mom has all the info. and chooses to bottle feed, then I support her. I think as nurses we should be nurturing of both bottle and breastfeeding of our moms. God only knows moms have enough people trying to "guilt" them into a variety of things and we have enough other tasks to perform w/o taking that one on. I even, God forbid support the people who sometimes give formula to their breastfed babies. In the UK, there has been a relaxation of some the dictates of breastfeeding rigidity. Who knows maybe the U.s will follow suit. The iron clad rules re. breastfeeding propegated by many nurse and LC's do alienate and upset many moms.
What I don't understand is the indignant attitutude people have towards nurses who "push" breastfeeding while formula companies who insidiously push bottlefeeding don't raise anyone's ire at all. Advertising DOES affect people's choices or formula companies wouldn't spend mucho bucks the way they do.
The fact is bottlefeeding is second best, and bottlefed babies are more prone to illness such as diarrhea, ear infections and later-life diabetes and obesity (as well as Crohn's disease, lymphoma, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis)-- anecdotes that say "Well *my* baby is fine notwithstanding." Breastfeeding at 6 months is only about 36% in the US; that's disgraceful. And talk about commitment- formula is $7-15 per can. *That's* a commitment.
People like to think they're so independent in their thinking, but our culture does not promote breastfeeding, and people who choose not to who think they do so independent of cultural influences are fooling themselves.
Choose whatever you want to do, but no amount of mother guilt should ever make a healthcare provider hide the truth from a new mother that breastfeeding is a healthier choice for her baby. If you feel guilty that's an issue for you to work out- not take out on the messenger. Believe me, the formula companies don't care about what's best for your baby.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Altalorraine, The two are not mutually exclusive, (the issues of pushing breastfeeding or formula). I think nurses who push to guilt in our moms, any feeding choice, are a real problem and concern. I dislike guilting anyone into or out of anything...... And, our authority, perceived as it is by our patients, should never be abused this way.
I don't see any professional here arguing that formula is "best" and that breastfeeding is not....
Let's face it; raising kids is a commitment!
This is a very interesting thread about formula advertising...and I think most of us agree, being an ad tool for formula companies is not a nursing function or part of our job description, nor should it be. I have no problem with being restricted from pushing formula on any breastfeeding mom---I would very much like to see the bags, pens, badges and other goodies go away, for good.
Moms don't bottle feed based on little promotional items, any more that they breastfeed because we give out free samples of lansinoh or purelan which our LC (who is super BTW) does.
If mom has all the info. and chooses to bottle feed, then I support her. I think as nurses we should be nurturing of both bottle and breastfeeding of our moms.
True, Moms don't chose to bottlefeed based on a free diaper bag containing formula. And I don't think anyone is suggesting that we not support mothers who opt to bottle feed. If by not giving her a free diaper bag containing formula and coupons for more forumla and info to join baby clubs to get more formula is not being supportive.....well then I guess we're not being supportive.
The point here is, we need to give mothers who choose to breastfeed the best chance we can. Sending them home with a bag of formula, is a slap in the face. IMO. Yes, breast is best, but if it doesn't work out, here we'll give you some free formula to get started rather than offer you true help. I have been that new mom who has given in to the "temptation" of free formula when my nipples got sore and I didn't know where to turn for help. If instead of a free can of formula, I was given a list of phone numbers to call for assistance, I think my breastfeeding relationship would have lasted much longer with my first child.
I can't believe this has been turned into such a debate, when the obvious point here is to not sabotage the breastfeeding relationship by giving away free formula. Where did it ever say bottle feeding mothers would not be supported?
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
I think sending breastfeeding moms home with formula is a subtle way of saying:
"Just in case breastfeeding does not work out, here is your formula, feel free to use it".... It's like a professional formula endorsement from us. And I hate it!
This is no better, IMO, than guilting moms who are set to bottlefeed into breastfeeding.
That is why some of the pediatricians I worked with actually wrote the order to remove the formula from the bags before distribution to breastfeeding moms. And I thought that was a bold, excellent move on their parts. Wish more would do this.
RNnL&D
323 Posts
Again, this is being turned into a breast feeding versus bottlefeeding debate. The point of this article is that is unfair to market formula to new moms. That does not mean you will have to bring your own formula to the hospital. You will not have to pay for formula at the hospital. You simply won't get one of those goofy diaper bags stuffed full of ads and fomula that every other new mom in town has, assuming you are delivering in Massachusetts that is.
And it is not a disservice to assume anyone can breastfeed. It is perfectly acceptable to assume that every milk making mammal with breasts can nurse their young.
That is what they are there for, after all. That's not to say that women will choose to nurse, or that those who do will not have difficulty.