Hospital bans free formula. What do you think?

[Thumper]

My DH saw this today. What do you think? I guess I think it's a good idea, although I suppose it might make some new mothers choose formula from the offset when they might give BFing a go if they weren't forced to make a choice beforehand

They do say that mothers who are unable to BF, or can't for medical reasons will still receive free formula.

Manchester hospital bans free baby milk to make mums breast feed instead

 

[Lightworker]

I think free formula at hospitals was a way that formula companies by-passed the restriction on them advertising stage 1 milk. By offering it to the hospitals for free, they were advertising, albeit indirectly.

I think it is a brilliant idea. If promoting BF is the priority, then tackling hindrances, such as free formula, can only be a good thing. x

 

[Waiting2bMommy]

The hospital I went to did not offer formula. It clearly stated it was a breastfeeding hospital with lactation consultants for every woman, it also said if you planned to formula feed than you needed to bring your own to the hospital as they would not be providing it. I was going to BF so it didn't bug me and its a huge hospital with tons of patients so I guess its not a problem for them as its been that way for a long time.

 

[kit10grl]

Hmm, not sure if i agree with this or not. Struggling to put into words why tho. I dont think its fair to add more pressure on women to breastfeed, as many women struggle with it and on this board so many people talk about feeling guilty cos they couldnt manage. More pressure is never going to help with that. At the same time yes its a good thing to encourage more women to breastfeed.

Its a very thin line between encouragement and support, pressurising someone though. I found the info from my midwife really helpful but one of my friends who is undecided as yet finds her midwife very pushy and one sided.

 

[tuppance]

I think they should give out free formula; it's every womans right to choose how they feed their children and I don't think they should be forced into / shunned into breastfeeding x

 

[punk_pig]

The hospital I went to did not offer formula. It clearly stated it was a breastfeeding hospital with lactation consultants for every woman, it also said if you planned to formula feed than you needed to bring your own to the hospital as they would not be providing it. I was going to BF so it didn't bug me and its a huge hospital with tons of patients so I guess its not a problem for them as its been that way for a long time.

My hospital said this too. I think the media using the word "banned" is inflammatory, as if the hospital are comparing formula to something illegal or harmful, which they aren't. They provide it when medically necessary but can't afford to give it out free just like they don't give out free nappies etc. If they were "banning" it they wouldn't let you bring your own in.

 

[lozzy21]

I dont have a problem with it. If you plan on FF anyway then your going to have all the stuff in allready.

 

[MrsStutler]

I think it is a good thing. Breastfeeding moms bring their own milk, why shouldn't formula feeding moms do the same thing?

 

[Green Lady]

Hmm...I gave birth at St. Mary's actually. Of the 4 of us ladies in the ward two were BF and two were FF.

Personally I don't see what the big deal is. If you plan to FF then you can still bring your own milk in, not like it's banned entirely or anything. I brought in my own nappies, no problem. And they're not going to let babies starve, so if you can't BF they'll still provide. If you're going to FF anyway is it really such a big deal to bring in cartons to feed LO for a day or two in hospital?

 

[summer rain]

I don't see a problem with it; I had two of my boys at a hospital that used to get loads of free formula and some of the midwives did see this as some kind of obligation to get all mums to give their babies at least one bottle of formula before going home-consequently BF rates were very low. I know several friends who gave birth at the hospital in question and they are not pushy or forceful about BF; but are very helpful (one of my friends was even allowed to stay for an extra week as she had problems establishing BF) and if there is a medical reason I believe they do have small stocks of formula for that reason. St Marys is well known as a pro-BF hospital and there are several other big hospitals nearby who haven't made this move, if mums are not keen on not having unlimited free 100ml bottles of formula on request. Personally I am more shocked at some of the comments under the story which tend to all be about NIP; they put comments on similar stories in the Daily Mail in the shade-I would call them 'victorian' but the fact is the victorians were not squeamish about BF at all, feeding in public being seen as wrong is a very recent thing xx

 

[summer rain]

I think it is a good thing. Breastfeeding moms bring their own milk, why shouldn't formula feeding moms do the same thing?

thata a bloody good point xx

 

[T-Bex]

Don't see a problem; might make the hospitals less likely to push the bloody stuff. (I was forced to give Bethan some, and didn't know I had the right to tell them to p*ss off...).

 

[Ozzieshunni]

I think that free formula should still be supplied for the NICU. In some cases, moms cannot express enough in the early days for their babies in special care. I know Alex was given some formula in the NICU to bring his blood sugar up.

 

[Elmo5]

I think that free formula should still be supplied for the NICU. In some cases, moms cannot express enough in the early days for their babies in special care. I know Alex was given some formula in the NICU to bring his blood sugar up.

Why free formula? Why not donated milk which is far far better.

 

[Ozzieshunni]

I think that free formula should still be supplied for the NICU. In some cases, moms cannot express enough in the early days for their babies in special care. I know Alex was given some formula in the NICU to bring his blood sugar up.

Why free formula? Why not donated milk which is far far better.

Donated milk in hospitals is hard to come by. I'm just saying that in the NICU circumstances tend to be a bit different. Not trying to start a debate or anything.

 

[Elmo5]

I think they should give out free formula; it's every womans right to choose how they feed their children and I don't think they should be forced into / shunned into breastfeeding x

Lack of education and marketing means people feed their babies formula thinking it is good for them and as a good as breastmilk. People think because the hospital provides it then it must be good right?

The simple fact is that formula is not as good. It is every womens right to choose not to feed their baby themselves and provide them with an inferior substitute. That doesn't mean the hospital has to agree, and support those mums.

 

[summer rain]

All SCBUs do have formula stocks anyway including the one at St Mary's; and I haven't heard of any hospital stopping providing formula in the SCBU (or on their children's wards), it is just on the maternity ward and only for those choosing to FF for 'lifestyle reasons', if there are medical reasons formula will of course be provided. I can understand why they ban people bringing in powdered formula as well because powdered formula isn't sterile; and if a baby got poorly due to a dodgy batch of powdered formula you can bet your bottom dollar the hospital would be blamed. I don't know why people read these articles to say formula has been completely banned from these hospitals and that no formula is allowed on the premises when it is not like that at all xx

 

[kit10grl]

. Personally I am more shocked at some of the comments under the story which tend to all be about NIP; they put comments on similar stories in the Daily Mail in the shade-I would call them 'victorian' but the fact is the victorians were not squeamish about BF at all, feeding in public being seen as wrong is a very recent thing xx

wow, i didnt read them till i saw your post. attitudes are appalling on there.

Especially the guy complaining about overweight women with their boobs whopped out.

hes expecting supermodels on a maternity ward obvioudsly? IDIOT

 

[Louise N]

It's just another way of slapping those mums in the face that had problems breastfeeding isn't it really. As if there's not enough of that in the media.

Thankfully the hospital I use is fair to all.

 

[summer rain]

It's just another way of slapping those mums in the face that had problems breastfeeding isn't it really. As if there's not enough of that in the media.

Thankfully the hospital I use is fair to all.

No its not because if there are medical problems with BF, formula will be provided-however if a mum has chosen to FF pre-birth and those mums are expected to provide their own formula please tell me how that is a 'slap in the face for those with problems BF'? The story clearly states that formula is provided for those with insurmountable problems BF and other medical cases; just not those who have made a pre-emptive decision to FF long before giving birth. I know the hospital in question and they are not judgemental of FF mums at all; even those who have made a lifestyle choice to FF. Also a lot of the hospitals where boxes of free formula are clogging up the corridors and storerooms are not 'fair to all', they tend to see a bottle of formula as the solution to any BF problem or even just a cranky baby; and tend to have low rates of women BF when leaving the hospital due to lack of support, isn't this unfair to the mums who go into the hospital intending to BF but are let down? The big formula companies do a lot of promotional marketing for midwives and special care nurses including competitions where they can win vouchers and even cars; but of course this cannot be entirely altruistic on their part; they want something in return which includes the midwives in question pushing the free formula they have so kindly donated to the hospital onto vulnerable mothers xx