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 BF)

i wasn't even given the choice about formula when we were in hospital. i WANTED to breastfeed, it wasn't simply a quedtion of 'choice'. even now, 4 months later i still have feelings that i failed and was inadequate when my ds wasn't getting anything from me. raw subject, and still brings tears to my eyes that it failed.

With DD2 I knew that I was going to FF so I took a Cow and Gate starter pack to hospital with me. Within 20 mins of DD2 being born the midwif asked whether we were BF or FF and when I said FF, she asked what formula we would like and brought it to us straight away. When in post natal they would bring me little bottles of formula, and when I told one of the midwives that we had brought our own formula in she was quite surprised. She said she had never seen the starter packs before and that we might aswell save it until we got home and use the formula the hospital provided while we were there. It was nice getting it for free, but IMO I think that if you plan to FF then you should take your own formula in or be charged a small fee for the hospital bottles. If you planned on BF and for some reason or other it's not possible then I think its fair that the hospital shold give free formula in these circumstances. xx

i was expected to breastfeed and I wanted too, but one of the twins couldnt latch which turned out to be tongue tie so had to switch to formula, to be honest I would have been happy to pay and dont see why the hospital should have paid for a week worth of food for my twins. If they didnt provide milk then perhaps they could afford more staff or something. i wanted explaination on how to use the pump and it sat in my room for 2 days and no one had the time to explain how to use it! its not exceptable!

If i hadnt been in hospital i would still be combination feeding but they put pressure on me to do one or other not both!

I don't think the hospitals buy the formula but rather it is given to them by the formula companies.

If you intend to FF - take your own

If you're not sure - I don't see the problem with the hospital supplying you with some if its needed because of bf problems etc. Your baby needs to eat afterall and have you seen how much colostrum you get out of a nipple by hand expressing. Not to mention it taking an hour to get half a ml!

Sorry but I don't agree at all. FF is an acceptable alternative to BF for those who can't or choose not to and therefore, it should be provided while you are in the hospital. The idea that only those who tried and failed to BF should be given formula by the hospital is unfair and only perpetuates that those who choose not to BF are terrible people...the hospital is essentially punishing them for it which is not acceptable.

I can't breast feed due to medication and chronic pain that I have suffered for 7 years. I plan to get my baby as much colostrum as I can but then after that she will be on formula and I am ok to supplement with formula at the hospital if necessary. My hospital provides all feeding supplies and is supportive of non-breast feeding mothers as all hospitals should be. Should I be denied that because I am not the typical woman who tries hard to BF but can't or is it still "ok" because I have a so-called valid reason why I am not able to breast feed long term? As far as I'm concerned it is just another hospital supply and politics should stay out of it.

If you plan to ff then you will have bought the bottles, steriliser etc, so why not supply your own formula for those first few hours in hospital? You will have a supply already no doubt and have chosen your formula so I don't understand why someone planning to ff would pack bottles etc but no milk.

Im pretty sure this is true. Which makes all 'money' arguments invalid surely?

My baby was a patient at hospital why shouldnt he of been given food? I was. Im sure there arnt alot of people that take their own meals into hospital with them?????

^^^ this!! why not let's all take a packed lunch??!!

also.... formula milk is given to hospitals by the milk companies so they can make even more money by you choosing their formula.

if they provide formula for babies of mothers who 'fail' at breastfeeding but not for mothers who choose to ff this is discrimination. it's supposed to be a mothers 'choice'

having said that, my hospital say they dont provide formula so i am goin to take a cow and gate starter pack with me. i have no problem atall in buying my own milk and not getting it for free but it's just the principal of being made to feel bad/treated different for your own 'choice'