Hospital bans free formula. What do you think?

[lozzy21]

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.

I dont understand how it is? They have said they will have a small stock of formula for those who have problems BF.

 

[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.

I dont understand how it is? They have said they will have a small stock of formula for those who have problems BF.

So we can be made to feel even more of a special case, they'll give out the free milk. Great!

 

[summer rain]

From what I've heard from ladies who needed a bottle for any reason who were in a hospital with this policy; you just have to ask and they will give it, the midwives don't sound some bells and sirens and put a big sign over your bed notifying everyone you're having BF problems, I really just don't see your problem....? I do have some friends who chose to FF for whatever reason; from birth and they have no issue whatsoever with this type of policy nor providing their own milk.

 

[lozzy21]

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.

I dont understand how it is? They have said they will have a small stock of formula for those who have problems BF.

So we can be made to feel even more of a special case, they'll give out the free milk. Great!

So they have to write there policy's to not upset those who struggle to BF? If people are that bothered about being singled out because of problems with BF then they can bring milk in with them.

 

[Louise N]

I really just don't see your problem....? I do have some friends who chose to FF for whatever reason; from birth and they have no issue whatsoever with this type of policy nor providing their own milk.

But you wouldn't see my problem would you? You have a 9 month bf badge in your sig!

Also those friends that have chosen to FF. Have chosen to do it that way, so they wouldn't feel bad. I'm just speaking from the point of view of someone that chose to BF, wasn't able to, expressed for a short time but had to resort to Formula. My LO is really healthy but the constant negativities surrounding formula milk is really hurtful to someone in my situation. As if what happend wasn't upsetting enough in the first place.

 

[kerrie24]

I think its fine,my hospital did it a while ago.If you dont bf I think you should take your own milk,why should the hospital pay for it?

 

[lozzy21]

Just because some ones has got a BF badge in there sig doesn't mean they dident have problems. I got to 4 months despite a baby that dident latch for 6 weeks so know exactly what your talking about and i agree with it. If my hospital bring that policy in i would be more than happy. If it makes more people that are able BF then i dont care if im singled out in needing to ask for formula. Im sure it will be the last thing on my mind and like i said, if people are that concerned in needing to ask for it then there is nothing stopping them bringing some in with them.

 

[Lilly12]

^^ wss

 

[beccad]

Surely if your baby is starving hungry because your milk won't come in, then the last thing on your mind is going to be embarrassment at having to be given milk by the hospital? Surely making sure your baby has something to eat is going to be your only concern?

 

[Louise N]

As I said in my original post, it's the constant media negitivites about formula milks and the pressure that's put on women that's the problem.

 

[Lilly12]

As I said in my original post, it's the constant media negitivites about formula milks and the pressure that's put on women that's the problem.

Here formula is pushed way harder than breastmilk.

 

[lozzy21]

Iv seen more negative storys about BF than i have formula in the media.

 

[Lightworker]

I really just don't see your problem....? I do have some friends who chose to FF for whatever reason; from birth and they have no issue whatsoever with this type of policy nor providing their own milk.

But you wouldn't see my problem would you? You have a 9 month bf badge in your sig!

Also those friends that have chosen to FF. Have chosen to do it that way, so they wouldn't feel bad. I'm just speaking from the point of view of someone that chose to BF, wasn't able to, expressed for a short time but had to resort to Formula. My LO is really healthy but the constant negativities surrounding formula milk is really hurtful to someone in my situation. As if what happend wasn't upsetting enough in the first place.

I don't think someone successfully BFing for X amount of months automatically lacks the requisite empathy to understand your problem.

The point of this as I understand is the government is trying to make BF the norm, and increase figures. They cannot achieve this if they are spending money on one hand to provide BF education and support, and then countering their efforts by allowing free formula for all in the hospital. From a policy point of view, it makes no sense.

 

[Ozzieshunni]

As I said in my original post, it's the constant media negitivites about formula milks and the pressure that's put on women that's the problem.

Here formula is pushed way harder than breastmilk.

See, I struggle to believe that formula is pushed harder in the USA. If it were, wouldn't I have chosen to FF being from the USA? I wanted to BF loooooooooong before I got pregnant

 

[barnie]

In a way I don't see that being told to bring your own formula in is any different to being told to bring your own nappies.

But then again "mummy" will get fed 3 meals a day by the hospital so why shouldn't baby get fed? Afterall the hospital is feeding the mum to make the breastmilk!

As usual it is all a lot of media hype!

 

[pinkie77]

I think it's an attempt to make bf the norm rather than this 'breast is best' stuff which IMO sets women up for a fall when there's not appropriate practical consistent help when it's needed.

My local hospital stopped providing formula 6 years ago but in many cases are still spouting the same outdated ideas they were at least a decade ago. I certainly wouldn't say there's any rise in bf numbers, I'm still considered odd for wanting to!

 

[Mum2b_Claire]

I actually didn't know this was still allowed anyway, there was certainly none at the birth centre I had Ruby in.

 

[LoraLoo]

In a way I don't see that being told to bring your own formula in is any different to being told to bring your own nappies.

But then again "mummy" will get fed 3 meals a day by the hospital so why shouldn't baby get fed? Afterall the hospital is feeding the mum to make the breastmilk!


As usual it is all a lot of media hype!

Because there is a free alternative. If you didnt want what the hospital was offering you for meals, you couldnt demand free food of your choice, you would have to bring it in yourself. The hospital isnt feeding you to make breastmilk, your body does that.

 

[carlyjade86]

As long as they have back up bottles there it shouldn't be a problem... I attempted to BF my DS but once he latched on, he screamed n screamed and screamed as soon as he was tacken off! He was basically using me as a dummy... @ 17 I didn't need that so decided I would use fomular. My nurse at the time didn't want me to leave the hospital having given up so soon, and really tired to push the issue - even to go as far as grab my boobs and squeaze sayin "but u have so much colstrum!!" - I'd had leaky boobs from 10wks - I'd had a titful of colstrum (excuse the pun!!) - now I'm not against BF'in and I would try again with #2, but I don't think the 'breast is best' argument is fair. DS was Formular Fed and he's the healthiest kid and was the healthiest baby! Women should do what they want - without being made to feel guilty or a bad mother...

 

[Lettuce]

I think it's the press as usual reporting wrongly! The hospital have clearly said it will still be provided if needed. In my hospital it was provided for free, and they used to give a days supply, but they had to stop doing that as people were basically stealing it! Honestly, the midwife told me this! she was. Coming round to top up the trolleys (with nappies, cotton wool etc) and asked if I needed formula, but I said no, I was bf, then we started chatting, she said they had to dole it out one or two bottles at a time now as before, the mums would take the days supply and bag it, then get more! So it was costing the hospital a fortune! She said it was really annoying as they were forever running out for mums/babies that really needed it. She said they usually gave the mums some extra bottles to take home anyway.
I like the idea of scraping "breast is best" as it does inflame some people. And let's go for "breast is normal"! I want to live in a country where I don't have to break into a cold sweat at the thought of feeding my baby. I was disgusted by some of the comments!
I do feel sorry for all the ladies that have had to give up bf for one reason or another, and they are still grieving over it. But I honestly don't care how people feed their babies, so long as they feed them!
I'm glad I got through my problems, mainly cos I'm lazy and love the convience of bf now. x