NYC's formula lock-down

kmm2150

Did everyone see this story recently? https://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57482086-10391704/mayor-bloombergs-infant-formula-plan-aimed-at-promoting-breast-feeding-in-nyc-hospitals/

My understanding is that it's supposed to encourage breastfeeding and prevent hospital staff from doling out formula, or giving out free samples of formula to new moms.

My experience in the hospital, though, was very pro-breastfeeding - they did ask as part of checking me in if I planned to breasfeed, and from there on out were nothing but encouraging and helpful. Maybe it would've been different if we'd had more trouble, but I just did not get the feeling that they would ever try to "push" formula, and definitely wouldn't have given babies formula without mom's consent or anything like that.

I kind of feel like what's needed is better education for new moms on not only the benefits of breastfeeding but the difficulties they may have in the first few weeks, as well as resources to turn to for help, so that moms don't throw in the towel right away and so that they can make an informed decision about what they want to do; treating formula like it's a drug doesn't seem to be helpful IMHO.

Thoughts? Experiences? Comments?

kmm2150

I guess I'm wondering if people feel like it's necessary - is formula being pushed in hospitals, or is it a non-issue? I didn't feel like it was pushed, but I also went into it saying I would breastfeed and then had no issues. They did give us a packet from similac, but it was more like "here's a free cooler and a bunch of coupons for baby stuff."

I also feel like the BM vs. formula gets so simplified in people's minds, as if the only reason anyone would choose formula is that they just had it shoved down their throat and didn't know better, not that they were unable to breastfeed, or had no support at home, or had to return to work and weren't able to make pumping work (and I don't just mean "couldn't pump at work" - legally everyone should be able to do this - but some people, including me, just CAN'T pump enough for LO, and have to supplement with formula). 

I'm a very happy, breastfeeding/pumping/some formula-supplementing mom, but I'm also very aware that my situation at work and at home, as well as the ease with which DD took to nursing, made this very very easy, and not everyone has it so good.

CharlieTheUnicorn

I'm for it as well. Some hospitals do push formula, this would be great for them. I had an awesome hospital that not only had a lactation consultant come in daily, but they didn't send any samples/coupons/propaganda home with you. I wish more were like that. 

meg_2006

kmm2150:

I kind of feel like what's needed is better education for new moms on not only the benefits of breastfeeding but the difficulties they may have in the first few weeks, as well as resources to turn to for help, so that moms don't throw in the towel right away and so that they can make an informed decision about what they want to do; 

I think most people come to the hospital with their minds already made up- so I don't feel this is law really going to help.  The moms who want to formula feed are still going to do it wether it's "locked up" or not.  A lot breastfeed and stop after a couple weeks because of problems.  Some can be fixed, some can't- but some mothers aren't even aware their problems can be fixed to begin with!  That's where we need to make an improvement.  

That said, I still think there are good intentions behind this...I just don't think it will be very effective. 

namara5532

I agree that most moms probably have their mind made up before they go to the hospital.  My hospital was pro breastfeeding, but they still sent me home with samples (which, even though I didn't need them, I was still grateful they were available in case I had problems).

As long as they still have access to formula if the parents want them to have it, I can agree with this.  With how many babies nurses take care of in a day, I'm sure it can get confusing sometimes which baby isn't to have formula.  I'd imagine having to get the formula from someone in the pharmacy (as long as it's in a timely fashion) would help a BF baby not be given formula.

footnotegirl

I'm going to start this off by saying that I am pro breastfeeding. I am also for any attempt to make breast feeding easier for women, especially by encouraging education, offering accessible assistance, and making breastfeeding easier by making sure that there are comfortable places to breastfeed in the public arena and ceasing harassment of mothers who breastfeed.

I'm starting that way, because honestly, I HATE this ruling. Yes, we should make it easier for mothers to breastfeed. But the way to do that is NOT to make it more difficult for mothers who chose to use formula. They are HER jubblies and it is HER choice. Yes, hospitals should be required to educate women on the fact that breastfeeding is the best choice. But after the first time, forcing a woman who has chosen otherwise to hear the same 'educational' shpiel smacks of punishment, and is at the very least incredibly insulting and patronizing to the woman. 

Let's try and remember that feeding a baby formula, while it may not be the vaunted ideal, is not actually harmful to the baby.

Women were treated miserably a generation ago if they chose to breastfeed. My mom was treated horribly when she delivered my older siblings because she was a 'wierdo' who wanted to breastfeed when obvs. it's best to use scientifically perfect formula. Every time she asked to have the baby brought to her she had to go through a rigamarole and be told again and again how she really should be formula feeding, how much better it was, etc. etc. Now we are doing the same thing by law to women who make the opposite choice? Can we stop haranguing women for making their own choices?

It's society that needs to be changed to make breastfeeding more acceptable, not mothers who need to be shamed and have obstacles put in front of them for making perfectly legal and in many cases well thought out decisions. 

anhg80

I totally agree with footnotegirl.  I agree with education, I agree with support, but this feels like shaming.  Now that I've been breastfeeding for 6 months, I can totally understand why mothers (and families) would make an educated choice to formula feed.  

SmittyPants

footnotegirl:

I'm going to start this off by saying that I am pro breastfeeding. I am also for any attempt to make breast feeding easier for women, especially by encouraging education, offering accessible assistance, and making breastfeeding easier by making sure that there are comfortable places to breastfeed in the public arena and ceasing harassment of mothers who breastfeed.

I'm starting that way, because honestly, I HATE this ruling. Yes, we should make it easier for mothers to breastfeed. But the way to do that is NOT to make it more difficult for mothers who chose to use formula. They are HER jubblies and it is HER choice. Yes, hospitals should be required to educate women on the fact that breastfeeding is the best choice. But after the first time, forcing a woman who has chosen otherwise to hear the same 'educational' shpiel smacks of punishment, and is at the very least incredibly insulting and patronizing to the woman. 

Let's try and remember that feeding a baby formula, while it may not be the vaunted ideal, is not actually harmful to the baby.

Women were treated miserably a generation ago if they chose to breastfeed. My mom was treated horribly when she delivered my older siblings because she was a 'wierdo' who wanted to breastfeed when obvs. it's best to use scientifically perfect formula. Every time she asked to have the baby brought to her she had to go through a rigamarole and be told again and again how she really should be formula feeding, how much better it was, etc. etc. Now we are doing the same thing by law to women who make the opposite choice? Can we stop haranguing women for making their own choices?

It's society that needs to be changed to make breastfeeding more acceptable, not mothers who need to be shamed and have obstacles put in front of them for making perfectly legal and in many cases well thought out decisions. 

Well said! I agree 100% 

twigmommy

I thinkcontrolling the formula samples and other swag  is a good thing, but moms that choose formula shouldn't get a lecture for every bottle. (if I read stuff right). The education should be there during pregnancy for those who wish. By the time nom is at the hospital to deliver they should just go with her choice. My hospital asked my choice on being admitted. I told them breast and didn't see anything formula related. Baby had an "eat at moms" sign in her bassinet, and the nurses gave me BF goodies to take home. Then our pedi office gave us formula even though we said BF. The doc is BF supportive, his staff just hands it out. I didn't see any at her last visit though where it usually sits on the one counter.

CharlieTheUnicorn

Ok, I've got to admit I didn't read the article, and assumed it was a ban on giving away the samples and "goodie bags", which I am against. I'm all about discouraging FF with education, support, and normalizing BFing. I'm not down with shaming. 

bhead81

Coming from an adoption and a hospital that basically was on formula lockdown I can comment how it made me feel.  I had to basically beg for a bottle each time I needed to feed my baby.  I had to wait for a nurse to be available and then hope they would bring it in a timely manner.  We did not get any goodies as they do not provide them to formula feeding parents...even adoptive moms.  We also had to sign off several forms and listen to educational material on why breastfeeding is better for the baby.  The forms offered many resources on breastfeeding and I had to sign off that I am aware that I am choosing to not breastfeed.  The nurse that did these 6 pages of forms with me was really nice and skipped right throught them as fast as she could and noted on them I was an adoptive mom but she covered the points she had to do for her job. 

anhg80

bhead81:

Coming from an adoption and a hospital that basically was on formula lockdown I can comment how it made me feel.  I had to basically beg for a bottle each time I needed to feed my baby.  I had to wait for a nurse to be available and then hope they would bring it in a timely manner.  We did not get any goodies as they do not provide them to formula feeding parents...even adoptive moms.  We also had to sign off several forms and listen to educational material on why breastfeeding is better for the baby.  The forms offered many resources on breastfeeding and I had to sign off that I am aware that I am choosing to not breastfeed.  The nurse that did these 6 pages of forms with me was really nice and skipped right throught them as fast as she could and noted on them I was an adoptive mom but she covered the points she had to do for her job. 

This is awful!  I'm so sorry you had to wait to get food for your baby.  We didn't get much sleep last night, but I'm literally tearing up right now thinking about you holding your hungry newborn hoping you'll be allowed to feed your LO.  

Our hospital made it clear during our pre-natal visits that FF'ers should bring their own formula to the hospital - this seems like a good compromise to me.  (We use an HMO, so it's unlikely mothers who were there hadn't received this info during their appointments).

NiniJ55

bhead81:

Coming from an adoption and a hospital that basically was on formula lockdown I can comment how it made me feel.  I had to basically beg for a bottle each time I needed to feed my baby.  I had to wait for a nurse to be available and then hope they would bring it in a timely manner.  We did not get any goodies as they do not provide them to formula feeding parents...even adoptive moms.  We also had to sign off several forms and listen to educational material on why breastfeeding is better for the baby.  The forms offered many resources on breastfeeding and I had to sign off that I am aware that I am choosing to not breastfeed.  The nurse that did these 6 pages of forms with me was really nice and skipped right throught them as fast as she could and noted on them I was an adoptive mom but she covered the points she had to do for her job. 

 

I think this has a correlation with WIC.  WIC provides formula but if the mom is BFing the state saves money on giving out formula checks.  I could be wrong -- but I think that's their motive behind this. I'm not for or against this at this time - I need to think about it a little more.  I do think that some first time moms get the misinterpretation that formula is the same as BM.  I think you have to go in already educated about what you plan to do.  I do think it's sad that if the hospital goes on formula lock down, that would make it so much harder on moms who choose to formula feed.  I think it's a family decision not the state and nobody should be judged for that. At my hospital in NYC there were no goodies for BFing moms that I could think of.  The go home packet had formula, a pacifier and coupons for Enfamil.    With my DD the LC gave me a set of breast pads and an information leaflet -- but that's it.  The first time I delivered at that hospital they basically told me that if I did not give my son formula he would end up with jaundice and would not be able to go home with me in a timely manner. During my stay that first time my milk had not come in yet and I had so much trouble with latching.  There was no LC there to help me and the nurse would only say "just put him on every 2hrs for 20 minutes each side".  um - he won't stay on for 2 minutes let alone 20.  Each day they filled his basinet drawer with formula (which I actually appreciated and stocked up on before going home).  As a matter of fact when I was pumping the nurse passed by my room at 2am and made a comment saying "hmm, you must love that pump -girl".  NO I DON'T LOVE THE PUMP.  I felt pressure to formula feed and no help to BF. The second time around the LC helped me with latching.  Same hospital but they seemed much more pro-breastfeeding.  They continued to stock his basinet drawer with formula (and I continued to appreciate it and used it to supplement) I stocked up before going home and gave it all away to a friend in need.  But they never "pushed" the formula on me.  It was just there if you needed it.

MrsAMB07

I liked this blog post. It made it all make a lost more sense from someone who is familiar. She seemed to cut through the sensationalism and overdramatics that tend to occur. It sounds like they're not giving mothers more judgement or obstacles, but giving an extra step to nurses who might go to the formula first.

https://phdoula.blogspot.com/2012/08/reply-turned-post-nightmarish-vision-of.html

Like she says, the Tylenol is locked up in a hospital, as well, and you have to ask a nurse for it. Same thing here.  It's about monitoring how it's dispensed and making sure it's inline with the parents' wishes, not about punishing or shaming.