Hospital bans free formula. What do you think?

[lucy_x]

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...).

Me too I literally sobbed as i fed her with this minging huge artificial teat, It felt so so wrong.....Needless to say when my lactation consultant found out there was some strong words.


IMO, If i KNEW i was going to formula feed, Id damn well take some in.... Surley if your going to FF then you buy milk from the ofset?, IDK though, because surley it would make steralising etc a big issue?....tough one, Il stay on the fence on this one lol

 

[Ozzieshunni]

Just a thought. What if I'm a single, teen mom? My friends have all pretty much abandoned me and my parents kicked me out. I'm doing this all on my own. FOB isn't in the picture. I can't BF and I've had an emergency c-section. How am I going to go buy formula?

 

[Elmo5]

Just a thought. What if I'm a single, teen mom? My friends have all pretty much abandoned me and my parents kicked me out. I'm doing this all on my own. FOB isn't in the picture. I can't BF and I've had an emergency c-section. How am I going to go buy formula?

Why can't you BF? Being Teenage and being on your own has no bearing on that fact.

 

[Ozzieshunni]

I don't know, maybe she takes medicine for a kidney problem? It was just a scenario. I knew someone would pick out the teen mom bit.

 

[midori1999]

Just a thought. What if I'm a single, teen mom? My friends have all pretty much abandoned me and my parents kicked me out. I'm doing this all on my own. FOB isn't in the picture. I can't BF and I've had an emergency c-section. How am I going to go buy formula?

They have already said they will have a supply of formula for 'emergency' cases, they aren't going to let a baby starve.

However, surely in the situation you mention, the Mum would have bought some formula in advance anyway if she already knew she couldn't BF?

I think it's a good idea personally. We have to take everything else we need for baby with us, nappies, clothes etc. Why not formula?

 

[Ozzieshunni]

The NICU supplied all my nappies and cotton wool, even clothes! I had come prepared and they knew this, but did it anyways

 

[Pramaholic86]

I took formula in 'just in case', woman in Boots recommended it.. When my LO couldn't latch on and they were saying she'd have to go in SCBU (for dropping too much weight) I didn't want them to take her so I FF and expressed. I do kind of wish I hadn't had the option of FF and I might have been better at BF.
That said, I don't think the problem is really down to availability but where I gave birth it was a huge lack of help and support!

 

[LoraLoo]

Just a thought. What if I'm a single, teen mom? My friends have all pretty much abandoned me and my parents kicked me out. I'm doing this all on my own. FOB isn't in the picture. I can't BF and I've had an emergency c-section. How am I going to go buy formula?

They have already said they will have a supply of formula for 'emergency' cases, they aren't going to let a baby starve.

However, surely in the situation you mention, the Mum would have bought some formula in advance anyway if she already knew she couldn't BF?

I think it's a good idea personally. We have to take everything else we need for baby with us, nappies, clothes etc. Why not formula?

Yes, but previous posters have already stated they don't think Formula should be provided, even in Emergencies

 

[Natsku]

My hospital follows the baby friendly hospital intiative so everything possible is done to encourage breastfeeding. No formula is given at all - instead doner milk is given to babies who need it (Maria had it in SCBU and as top ups when she was on the ward with me). But doner milk isn't in short supply here because mums are paid to donate and hospital grade pumps are provided.

 

[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

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.

Well then surely if it's an education issue then that's what needs to be addressed, not the fact formula is supplied in hosptials. If you take away the formula without remedying the root cause of the problem it will make no difference to the breastfeeding numbers; it will just provide a quick fix and could cause resentment among formula feeding mothers.

What does need to be provided is a bigger breastfeeding education drive whilst still providing an environment of choice in hospitals.

I just don't think women should be bullied into feeling guilty about formula feeding. Everyone has a different story / experience / opinion and I think they should all be catered for.

That's just my opinion

 

[moomin_troll]

Just a thought. What if I'm a single, teen mom? My friends have all pretty much abandoned me and my parents kicked me out. I'm doing this all on my own. FOB isn't in the picture. I can't BF and I've had an emergency c-section. How am I going to go buy formula?

i really dont think teen mum needed to be mentioned as thats no different from being a single mum in general.

i think most people think that if someone is going to FF from day one they should take their own milk in. but if someone wants to bf but cant, then the hospital will supply milk.

 

[Ozzieshunni]

It was just a scenario! I'm not bashing teen moms!

 

[tuppance]

I think it was a good scenario as it shows not everyone has the same experience ....

 

[Palestrina]

I think it's brilliant! Now a mom can go in expecting to BF but be given formula only if she needs it. If you plan on FF anyway why would you expect the hospital to provide that for you? If I go to the hospital wanting to have a boob job I wouldn't expect them to buy me my new bra too lol!

I wonder how this thread would do in the FF section

And for all those FF moms who say that formula gets such a bad rap.... HELLLO?!?! Have you seen all the negativity that surrounds BF?? It will be a long time before BF is seen as normal as FF and even longer to be seen as the norm in our society so excuse us as we pave the way. Formula is a casualty of the war I'm afraid.

 

[Pixles]

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

Why free? If you chose to FF you should have to pay for it!
They are NOTstopping the formula for people who CANT breastfeed and dont have a say in it. If for medical reasons you cant feed your baby, you still get free forumla... It costs tax payers money to supply the stuff and its ALOT of money.. so why should we supply someones choice to FF??

I dont agree with them stoping it being avalable at the hospitals.. I think hospitals should stock formula for people to buy it if needed EVEN at a disscount if need be... Simply because single women stuck in hospitals cant go to ASDA at 3am because they want forumla..

Im not against forumla. im against the people who dont even give it ago then get a stigma and start shuning breastfeeding mothers like were evil and think were perfect.... If you want to FF buy it yourself and take it to hospital. if you want to BF then BF. If you cant BF its supplyed for you.

tax payers dont pay for us to BF.... why should we pay for you to FF?

I dont see the issue in stoping free formula for mothers who decide to FF.. =S

Sorry if ive offended someone. no doubt I have. pppft!

 

[Palestrina]

If FF mothers insist that the hospital supplies free formula for the duration of their stay that's fine.... in that case we BF mothers should be given a monetary sum of money that equals the amount of formula we would have used. Fair is fair.

 

[moomin_troll]

i can see it from both sides. like i said ive been a ff mum (altho i did try to bf) and now im a bf mummy.

i think its crazy ppl think the nhs should give "u" formula because someone doesnt want to bf, its totaly different for those who medicaly cant.

zane couldnt latch but i still tried to feed him for 5 days, so my reasons for giving up werent exactly medical and newborns dont need much at all

 

[Lightworker]

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.

Well then surely if it's an education issue then that's what needs to be addressed, not the fact formula is supplied in hosptials. If you take away the formula without remedying the root cause of the problem it will make no difference to the breastfeeding numbers; it will just provide a quick fix and could cause resentment among formula feeding mothers.

What does need to be provided is a bigger breastfeeding education drive whilst still providing an environment of choice in hospitals.

I just don't think women should be bullied into feeling guilty about formula feeding. Everyone has a different story / experience / opinion and I think they should all be catered for.

That's just my opinion

How does this policy constitute bullying?

 

[bumpy_j]

I think if you are full term then yes you should be expected to bring formula as something to put into your hospital bag. If you go in and there's no way you can get any formula well they aren't going to let your baby starve are they? I think people are looking into this too sensitively like it's a personally attack...well no formula was created originally and medically for mothers who couldn't breastfeed surely so yes if you can't BF you should get free formula on the NHS as it then becomes a medical matter. If you choose to FF but are able to BF then it's a lifestyle choice.

It's not bullying or trying to make formula feeders feel pants - but breastfeeding is hard and someone who wants to breastfeed but had a long labour may suddenly be very tempted by the offer of a free ready made bottle rather than wake up every hour to a screaming baby who refuses to latch. Also if you're intending to FF surely you'd stock up on formula before your baby was due just incase.

 

[keepontrying]

I am quite surprised that any hospital was providing free formula as a matter of course?!

Of course if there is a medical reason then yes it would be provided but if not then absolutely no way do i think it should.

FF is a choice, and each woman is entitled to choose what ever method she wants, however why on earth would a hospital provide it? its a massive expense when these mums would already have stocked up in preparation so it should be in the hospital bag along with all the other supplies. I certainly know i would not go to the hospital without it if it was my choice!!!