Hospitals asked to stop giving free formula? What do you think?

http://thestir.cafemom.com/baby/1358...ree_formula_in


I see both sides, I mean I understand that some can't breastfeed and some don't want to breastfeed for their own reasons and that is absolutely the right choice for them so I can see that the free formula is very welcome to some! But I also know that I was simply too weak and tired after having DD to argue when, after just one failed attempt with no guidance, they said they were getting her a bottle. Now I am 7 weeks later and STILL combination feeding and I just can't help thinking she would have never had formula if it wasn't free.

(Also posted in FF)

I think this article is confusing some issues, where the UK is concerned at least, the main one being that all hospitals stock some formula, even baby friendly ones, what they won't have is oodles of free bottles of formula creating a tripping hazard in corridors (yes this is really the case with my local hospital, some of the corridors in maternity and children's wars are literally lined with cases and cases of mini formula bottles). Also it's part of the baby friendly initiative to show mums who have chosen to FF how to safely make up feeds and to give them leaflets on safe FF as well but at the same time to offer proper BF support and not to push formula on mums who really don't want or need it, as well xx

I see =]
I don't know all this lol The first I've heard of 'baby friendly' is this article so I'm learning

I don't think hospitals should stock it. I think if a mother doesn't want to breastfeed then they should buy their own formula and bring it with them with the other stuff that they pack for the hospital. Then nurses won't be able to push it on ppl.
The NICU should have a special stash for formula for babies who can't be BF due to medical reasons. And if a mom has an emergency delivery then they can use it as well and I would make the mother sign a form saying they wanted their baby to have formula. I think that would be more of a deterent for nurses who want to push formula on a mom who doesn't really want it. Cause it would cause them more work and I think mom would think more about the decision then just agree cause it was pushed on them.

If a mother can read they can read the instructions on how to prepare the formula properly they don't need some one showing them how to do it.

my hospital didn't provide formula if you went in with the intention to formula feed, you were advised to bring your own 200ml cartons, though i believe they provided sterile bottles & teats.

they did have some formula for mothers who were unable to breastfeed, & when we were readmitted with bella at 12 days because she wasn't feeding & i wasn't expressing enough, i was grateful for that.

i do believe there should be more support for formula feeding mums, whether they choose to formula feed or have the choice to breastfeed taken away from them. although i was given a few cartons of ready made formula, i had no idea about making up powdered formula, sterilising bottles, how much to feed bella (i naively thought if i gave her a full bottle, she'd drink it, i didn't know she'd stop when she'd had enough, or what "enough" was), how often i should be expecting her to feed... yes, i could read a carton, but i worried about making feeds up fresh each time she needed one & ended up using ready made for a few weeks before i even had the time to find information about pre-making bottles & how to do so safely. it's overwhelming being a new mother, however you're feeding your baby.

xx

I think that's a bit harsh to be honest. Isnt that just like saying that a women shouldn't be shown how to breastfeed and get thier baby to latch, after all the boobs are there, what else could you need?!

I agree that if someone has chosen to FF or has to for medical reasons they should be given info on safe preparation of bottles etc, it is confusing the instructions on the back and it does vary between brands, my local hospital is a bit 'the other way' they give you the UNICEF leaflet on making up bottles even if you don't ask for it but you have to ask several times if you want the equivalent BF leaflet. But in most hospitals these days it's not like that

My hospital and my mw told me when we were discussing Bfing that if I chose to ff then I'd have to take everything with me from steriliser bottles to the milk. I asked what happens if I can't bf because of emergencies etc and they said hospitals have a short supply of ff and bottles in emergencies.


Not sure how tO solve the debate really as I think there are more ff pro messages over bf ( even in tesco cafe there is a huge sign on the wall saying : hungry baby? We can warm your milk for you....no messages about baby hungry? You can breastfeed here...

Anyway..

I think their should be a feeding class given (not sure if uk do it as I had to pay nct classes) that don't judge and in the same class show Bfing and then show safe methods, sterilisation techniques etc for ff. As even if you bf you need the know how on sterilising...

I think being given pamphlets on both is a good idea and then let the mother ask for help about which ever route she goes. Let mom ask the nurse for help not the nurse push thier idea on which is best

ha that did come out harsher sounding then I actually meant