Is Withholding Formula From New Moms The Best Way To Make Them Breastfeed?

August 2nd, 2012 - By Victoria Uwumarogie

When it comes to feeding newborn babies, breastfeeding is embraced for the benefits it has towards a child’s health and is seen as the healthiest form of nourishment for babies. In fact, in an article featured on TIME‘s website, it says “The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises moms to breast-feed exclusively for about six months, then continue breast-feeding while offering new foods.” On the other hand, giving formula to a child straight out the womb isn’t embraced so much. Though there are sometimes reason for going the bottle route first, including the inability to breastfeed (and that includes if the mother has a certain disease too–HIV, tuberculosis, etc.), it’s tied to diarrhea and a higher risk of infection. But it’s important to note that many efforts have been made to improve the quality of formula over the years. With all the information saying breastfeeding is the best way to go, it’s surprising to hear that so many women are being somewhat pushed to use formula for their newborn by hospitals handing out promotional formula from companies as a form of marketing. As Bonnie Rochman, the author of the piece in TIME put it, hospital staff can be a bit pushy during a time when mothers are vulnerable, and rightfully stressed:

“As for my sister-in-law, Rachel, who recently gave birth in a Manhattan hospital to her first child, she knows firsthand how nurses pushing formula can impact an inexperienced mother. After her C-section, a nurse offered to give her newborn a bottle “to make it easier on you.” Exhausted and uncertain, she agreed — even though she’d intended to breast-feed. ‘I was a new mom,” she said. “I didn’t know what I was doing.’”

For reasons like this, Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants to make free formula not so easy to get to encourage new moms to breastfeed. According to the AP, 27 out of 40 hospitals in NYC have agreed to stop handing out promotional formula under the campaign, “Latch On NYC.” They’ll replace the formula with in-depth conversations on the benefits of breastfeeding, but will provide new moms with formula if that’s what they prefer. That way, new moms in a confusing position won’t immediately jump for breast milk if their child isn’t latching on immediately and it’s offered by a nurse–like an easy alternative. The mayor says that many see this as an important step in the right direction, and reports say that this initiative is taking place all around the country with more than 600 hospitals. “Most public health officials around the country think this is a great idea. The immunities that a mother has built up get passed on to the child, so the child is healthier.”
But while this whole initiative sounds like a good idea, many critics are stepping forward saying that the government shouldn’t get to interfere with the choices a mother makes for herself and her child. As one commentator put it, “What the hell does a mayor have to do with me breast feeding??????  What the hell?  Is this in his job description? Did you hire this man to tell you how to feed your kid?  Wake up people.” Mardi Mountford of the International Formula Council isn’t a fan either. She told the folks at TIME: “A way to help mothers is to be supportive of the feeding choice they make for their infants regardless if they choose breast-feeding, formula feeding or a combination of both. For infants who are not breast-fed, infant formula is the only safe, nutritious and recommended feeding option.”

Seeing as Mayor Bloomberg has been pushing to ban super-size soft drinks in the city, he’s slowly but surely being labeled as being too pushy and even gets called the “nanny” by many New Yorkers. But in his eyes, he’s pushing for people to make better decisions for their health, and as we can see now, for the health of their children. But is this new initiative for breastfeeding and somewhat hiding formula from new moms in the process a good idea to you? Or is it interfering with a mother’s choices? 

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  • B

    It’s not his business! Some women may not breastfeed because the milk does not flow “as it should”, not necessarily because they don’t want to.

  • NiceNasty

    My thing is that what people don’t understand is that when breastfeeding alot comes into account with the mother. You have to be in tip top shape because you can pass so many things through breastmilk to your kid and do more harm then good. Like if you have HIV, HPV, or Hepatitis C they can transfer to your baby through breast milk. Also if you have any medical problem like cancer, Crohn’s disease, kidney disease, arthritis, or even a simple migraine headache you have to be careful because the medication for these can harm if not kill your baby. And let’s not get started on many other meds that doctors don’t really know what affect it can have on your baby, but they still give them to you to take. Drinking, smoking, even what you eat is tahen into accoutn. Because you can eat something and it my cause your baby to have allergies, and then you have to literally sit and remember everything you eat or drank in order to find out what is causing this reaction. I mean the list goes on and what about things your doing/eating that doctors don’t really know what type of affect it will have on your baby. So it’s up to you, but remember that your health is jus as important in order to improve your baby’s.

  • Kristina Tramel

    Why is it that everyone seem to negativity about breastfeeding?

  • kristen

    All the formula moms are coming out in droves on this one! LOL you women really crack me up! You know that breastfeeding is best but you’re so selfish that you’re making excuses SMH. Bad mothers if you ask me…!

    • http://www.therapyiseffinexpensive.wordpress.com/ Zan

      Girl stop trolling and go tend to your kids since you’re such a great mother. Find the life that you obviously wish you had.

  • kristen

    About damn time! Women need to realize that BREASTFEEDING IS BEST! No formula will ever come close to breast milk because it is what God created for our children. Breastfeeding will save BILLIONS in healthcare costs and prevent serious illnesses in our children. Women, stop being so selfish and nurse your children!!

  • Queencandiss

    I don’t think any of you read the article, it clearly says that formula will still be offered if that is what the mother prefers. I think hospitals push formula way too much and of course the head of the formula council is ticked, thats money out of the companies pockets! He isnt saying that he wants to take formula out of hospitals, women will still have choice just have more support to breastfeed.

  • Anon

    Some babies don’t latch on, milk supply delays/problems, or women could be like my mom and had severe pain when she tried so the doctor made her stop. Instead of withholding formula like an idiot, maybe a mother should have someone tell them or watch a video on the benefits. Some women just don’t know.

  • Breastfeeding Advocate

    Way to go, Bloomberg! Breastmilk is the best for babies. Formula lacks so many of the biological properties that makes breastmilk the healthiest choice for babies. There is so much misinformation out there. 1. Your breasts will make colostrum, which is full of immune boosting substances, before the “real milk” comes in. The newborn needs nothing more than this colostrum for the first few days. 2. Breastfeeding has been linked to lower obesity rates, higher intelligence, lower infections, and a number of other health benefits. To push formula in hospitals is ethically wrong and not the best health practice. I support this move 100% and hope that more people go this route.

    • sweettea

      You worry about your body and your kids and I’ll worry about mine mkay. Every hospital also has a lactation consultant come and visit new moms and teach them to breastfeed. Your opinion is just that YOURS. It should not affect my life

    • Really?

      Ethically wrong?? You cannot be that dense. I refuse to believe it. What about those moms who can’t breastfeed due to medications, baby not latching on, illness,emergency c-section, et cetera. It’s ethically wrong not to give these babies the option of getting their nutrients through formula. My lactation specialist actually told me to give up breastfeeding because I produced so little (after trying 2 full months) I had to pump every 30 minutes just to produce enough for 3 bottles. (She told me instead of stressing , spend that time with my son or sleep) So in the middle of the night when my child was hungry, we were quite fortunate to have the formula the hospital gave us. To take that option a way is wrong and an overstep of authority. As Sweettea said, worry about your own kids and stop pushing your beliefs onto others.

    • realadulttalk

      But it’s ethically right to force breast feeding??? Oh puh-lease!! I have one friend who breastfed…her kids have had more issues than 3 non-breast fed kids combined.

    • SuZQ

      Again, breast feeding is not being forced in this article- that would be impossible- they are offering to counsel breast feeding BEFORE offering formula. This comment is not an opinion there’s research that breast milk from a healthy mom is better. It’s your choice if you don’t want to believe it. Formula was developed for orphans and is a for profit product meaning they push it, just like doctors push medications you dont need and are paid by pharmaceutical companies. Many comments sound like anti health care reform comments, where people are simple afraid of change. If you can’t nurse formula will still be there.

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/5K3IBAESAUXBKIGSSP3KYIR36I Tracey

    Bloomberg is f’ing up.

  • Charla

    To cut it in hospitals is just ridiculous. Most women milk supply takes days to come in after the birth. It took me a week before I had a decent supply. So in the meantime I had to use formula to supplement. And honestly to solely formula feed is not that bad of a choice. My mom gave me formula from day one and I still excelled academically and had no health problems.

  • sweettea

    This is obviously about money because they don’t really give a damn about moms breastfeeding. Everyone is different. For instance my kids took breast or bottle no problem from birth. Some babies have trouble latching on some moms don’t make enough milk etc. The point is nobody should try to force anybody to breast feed even if its better than formula. I was formula fed and I’m fine my little brother was breastfed for his first year and he’s autistic. S#it happens

    • Ash

      Of course it’s about the money… According to Wikipedia, as of 2012 he has a net worth of $22 billion, and was named the 11th richest person in the U.S.

    • kristen

      How is this about the money? LOL do you know how much formula companies make off this poison?! BILLIONS honey! Check yourself, you’re not making any sense!

      • http://www.therapyiseffinexpensive.wordpress.com/ Zan

        It’s about money because, as another commenter mentioned up-thread, Bloomberg is trying to cut the WIC program in NYC…this movement of his is no reflection on how he feels about mothers and their babies. And there is nothing wrong with formula…not all women can breastfeed.

  • guest510

    I’m so sick of men trying to tell women what to do with their bodies! Some women choose not to breast feed and others can’t produce enough milk to feed their babies. I’m not a mother but I hear breastfeeding isn’t for everyone. let him see how it feels to have a baby latch on and see how fast he changes his view.

    • realadulttalk

      My sis-in-law was one of those people…her daughter went into a failure to thrive situation b/c of a problem with her breast milk. Not to mention that every woman does not have healthy enough habits to feed a child from her body.

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ashley-Sykes/1065177536 Ashley Sykes

        um…isn’t that sad? shouldn’t you have the best healthy when you are growing a child in your body? that’s no excuse, that’s sad!

  • AndYouKnowThis

    Mayor Bloomberg is trying to cut the WIC program here in NYC.He doesn’t really give a rat @$$ that breast feeding is healthier choice.

    • guest510

      I figured that. smh