Mums of newborn babies will no longer get free formula milk while in hospital – to encourage them to breastfeed.
Saint Mary's Hospital, which has the biggest maternity ward in Greater Manchester, will introduce the policy on November 1, the M.E.N. can reveal.
New mums will be told they must bring in their own cartons of milk if they choose not to breastfeed.
And they won’t be allowed to bring in powdered formula milk – because they say it is banned on the wards for 'health and safety reasons'.
Hospital chiefs denied it was a cost-cutting exercise. They claimed they were still in favour of allowing mothers 'informed choice' about how to feed their children.
And they stressed mums who were medically unable to breastfeed, or had babies too sick to be breastfed, would still receive free milk. Leaflets explaining the new rules are being given out to pregnant women in clinics ahead of their introduction.
It says: "Breastmilk is the healthiest milk to feed your baby
"Breastfeeding also benefits mothers by reducing their risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis."
The leaflet adds that staff will be on hand to support any women who decide to formula feed their babies to provide sterile bottles and teats. New mums will also be able to store their cartons in a locked fridge.
Similar policies have already been introduced in Bolton, Tameside and Salford.
A spokesman for Saint Mary's said: "We can confirm that in line with several other hospitals in Greater Manchester we will no longer be routinely providing formula milk from November 1.
"We are still providing formula for babies and mothers whose medical needs mean that breastfeeding is not appropriate.
"We are continuing to provide bottles and teats, and we give daily demonstrations about the safe preparation and use of formula to support new mums."
Wythenshawe and Pennine Acute, which runs hospitals in Bury, Oldham, Rochdale and North Manchester, said they had no plans to scrap free milk.
Helen Thompson, the head of midwifery at Wythenshawe, said: "Like all other hospitals, we support the initiation of breastfeeding with all new babies.
"However, we recognise that some mums, prefer to bottle feed their babies, and we believe that is their maternal choice."
, i did BF for 3months in the end with nipple shields) The midwife said she would get some formula from the cupboard in the MW's room if i didnt have any. This was at Salford Royal xx
