Recently, New York’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced an initiative called “Latch On NYC” to encourage mothers to breastfeed their newborns instead of using formula, ABC New reports. Under this plan, hospitals in New York will only give out formula for medical reasons or at a mother’s request starting this September. In addition to this the formula at hospitals will be kept locked up and patients will no longer receive free samples when they are discharged.
New York isn’t the first to begin this type of project; Rhode Island became the first state to participate by not giving free formula to mothers and instead educating them on the benefits of nursing.
Despite the many advantages of encouraging moms to breastfeed, many bloggers have made their skepticism of the decision known online. One mother, Katherine Stone, communicates that many of these mothers agree that breastfeeding is best; however, she brings up the fact that there are mothers who simply can not or have trouble breastfeeding their child.
“I hear from moms who have all sorts of problems related to breastfeeding, whether it is the inability to produce enough milk, or medical conditions they have, or their baby having problems breastfeeding,” Stone said. “There are a lot of things that lead a mother to not being able to breastfeed.”
Officials of the initiative say that they are not completely prohibiting the use of formula within hospitals, but are simply acting to reduce the number of mothers who commence to use formula after a child’s birth.
Read the complete article on ABC News’ website.
What are your thoughts on breastfeeding v. formula? Do you feel it should be regulated within hospitals? We like the fact that mothers are being encouraged to breastfeed but is it the government’s place to tell you to do so? Are hospitals doing enough on their own to promote breastfeeding?
Letters To My Spouse says
This is an interesting news development. Studies show that breastfeeding is best for the baby. I believe more hospitals should promote breastfeeding. By having lactation consultants available to educate women after they have given birth is wonderful. I know from my experience, after the birth of our first child, the class offered at the hospital the next day, even the lactation consultant coming to my room was helpful. Does the government have a right to tell a woman to go against her deeply firm held beliefs-NO. It is still too early to tell, but if the articles I read are accurate, formula will still be given if medically necessary.
kahlijr says
first, good for you for making the effort! second, they push formula on mothers in hospitals (which is backwards), so NYC is just doing the opposite. lastly, it actually says that mothers can request formula if they want or feel they need it. they’re just not giving it away upfront like they traditionally do. i remember the nurse trying to talk me into taking formula sample home when i had my daughter and i told her no thanks and back off. i’m straight on fake breast milk when i can make the real thing for free.
kahlijr says
first, i am a black mother, and i breastfed my daughter for the entire 1st year. she never had a drop a formula. we saved money and she was much healthier than formula-fed babies that i know. second, if ppl were more educated on breastfeeding i think they’d try it and stick with it. i did so because i had the knowledge that it was the best thing. other ppl i know that quit too soon did so because they were too lazy to keep trying and felt like it was an inconvenience. lastly, it doesn’t say anywhere that they’re forcing ppl to breastfeed, they’re just not making formula so readily available. moms can request it if they want it or can’t nurse. it’s FAKE BREASTMILK that cost a LOT of money, so why push it on ppl like hospitals have traditionally done? i commend NYC for trying to do the opposite. the result will be healthier babies and cost cutting. especially where mothers on public assistance are concerned. i wonder how much money is spent on free formula through government programs that could be reduced by more women breastfeeding.
Debt Free Divas says
I agree with the initiative. I think the idea to encourage mom’s the breastfeed through education and not pushing formula from day 1 is a good one. I’m a new mom and it was hard, but doable. The classes & support given by lactation consultants and other mom’s really helped me stick with it. We are getting away from breastfeeding because formula is so much easier, but we have to think of the benefits to our babies. Some can’t, and for those ladies formula is an option. I would encourage everyone to try breastfeeding first.
Tasha Mitchell says
It’s a good step in the right direction. There’s nothing more frustrating than wanting to breastfeed (like I did since my 1st child at 19) but having formula given to you even after you’ve said that you plan to breastfeed. It’s quite easy to supplement with formula when you have difficulties with breastfeeding in the beginning (especially if you have the free samples staring you in the face while crying from frustration because your baby won’t latch properly) and afterwards it’s a downwards spiral. I only breastfed my 1st for a month and a half, my 2nd at 20 for 3 months and only with my 3rd, at 23, was I able to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months. I threw the free samples away once I left the hospital. Still not my one year goal, but it was my goal to breastfeed him longer than his brother and sister.
It was easier on me, with not having to wake up during the middle of night, get out of bed, stumble around the apartment trying to make a bottle with a crying infant. I could just roll over, still half asleep, give him what he needed and go back to bed. Not to mention going to church, or going grocery shopping etc (no need to make bottles or carry formula, his food was already made!) Not only is breastfeeding healthier but it’s much more convenient and cost effective. Right amount for the child, readily available and FREE, in more ways than just dollars. I pray that when my husband and I have more kids, I’ll be able to do it for the full year.
Now if the hospitals could change some of their other protocols and views where childbirth is concerned we’d be making some real progress, but that’s another story. It’s just nice to see that they’re finally trying to do something for mothers and babies, instead of for dollars. Breastfeeding is already difficult enough (in the beginning) as is, no need to sabotage the relationship (for those who truly desire to breastfeed) just because Enfamil and Similac are trying to make a buck.
Kris says
I had to speed read, but aren’t there benefits to the mother as well for breastfeeding? Seems like a win win To me.
Charlotte says
Is the hospital now an agent or arm of the government? When did that happen? Motherhood is tough enough without governmental mandates. Yeah make a mom feel like a failure if she can’t meet this new standard of motherhood. You guys have no idea what it takes to be successful with breastfeeding. You need a stable home with support and encouragement. Help with other children if there are any and the willingness to do it. Some ppl find nursing repulsive and they shouldn’t have to explain themselves to a bureaucrat.
dynamicallydella says
An initiative is not a mandate. And… Ulterior motives?…really people? It’s been standard hospital procedure to dope you up and cut you all open in assembly line fashion with no great outcry. Some attempts to promote the introduction of breast milk rather than defaulting to the bottle and people are mad. We have really come to an ugly place intellectually when this is the type of thing folks take offense to. If you gotta work, do you. if cant produce enough milk so be it. Having trouble latching, that can be remedied. But if one just too lazy or against it because its unfamiliar, don’t demonize the people or organizations working to suggest you give your child the best (another example the Let’s Move Campaign) during their first few days of life. That first milk even if ONLY given in the hospital benefits the child and MOTHER tremendously. And with politics there are always motives besides general health and welfare; a healthier populous costs them less.
sam miller, NYC Health Dept says
I want to clear up some misconceptions in your post about Latch On NYC.
The initiative does not require hospitals to “hide†or “lock up†formula, nor does it restrict access to it for those who want it. Parents who want formula will not have to convince a nurse to sign it out by giving a medical reason. Parents can and always will be able to simply ask for formula and receive it – no medical necessity required, no written consent. As you point out, there is clear evidence that breastfeeding has health benefits for mothers and babies. For mothers, breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancers. For babies, breastfeeding reduces the risk of ear, respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, as well as asthma.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has just published new guidance to pediatricians in Feb 2012, reaffirming its support for breastfeeding: https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/129/3/e827.full.pdf+html
Ultimately, our goal is to support a mother in whatever decision she makes when it comes to nursing her baby and this initiative specifically is designed to support a mother who decides that she wants to breast-feed by asking participating hospital staff to respect her and refrain from automatically supplementing her baby with formula (unless it becomes medically necessary or the mother changes her mind).
Bottom line: Latch On NYC does not restrict the mothers nursing options in any way – nor does it restrict access to formula for those who want it.
Julen Harris, MPH says
The Latch On NYC initiative is not at all aimed at penalizing or preventing moms who choose to formula-feed their babies from doing so. It is a shame that this important public health initiative is being misunderstood largely because of dislike of its messenger. The status quo is that it is common practice for many hospitals to formula-feed newborns whose mothers DO NOT want formula and who DO want to breastfeed, which in turn can make it difficult to impossible for the baby to transition to breastfeeding. Of course not every mom can or wants to breastfeed, so formula needs to be and will be available under this initiative. Latch On pushes back on CORPORATE INTERESTS that push formula and override mom and baby’s needs. Secondly, the initiative helps ensure that moms are fully informed about the benefits of breastfeeding (e.g. building a strong immune system for baby and preventing obesity for mom AND baby), are supported in their right to do it, and can make an active decision about whether or not do it. This is a right (not an upper-class fad) that is too often infringed upon by corporate formula rhetoric and societal discomfort with breastfeeding. Furthermore, it is women of low socioeconomic status and women of color who are most often hurt by this status quo, and who will benefit from this initiative. As a public health professional, I believe we should support Latch On for the health of every mom and baby. Check out https://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/why-breastfeeding-is-important/ for more info.
Keeley @ My Life on a Plate says
I was in the hospital recovering from having a baby when this blog originally posted. I don’t live in NYC, but at my hospital there were no formula endorsements anywhere (even the artwork in the maternity ward all portrayed breastfeeding).
I am breastfeeding now, but my child started out on forumla for medical reasons. Otherwise, I would not have been given any formula or offered formula.
I don’t judge moms who use formula. I think people are more likely to stick with breastfeeding when they have supportive partners and family and when the hospital provides post-partum support for breastfeeding. My hospital was extremely supportive when I faced breastfeeding challenges and I think that’s why I was ultimately successful in getting my baby to latch on.
I don’t think hospitals should assume that moms want to use formula, nor should they give moms promotional items from formula companies unless moms ask for them or there is a medical reason.