NYC mayor banning free formula in hospitals

mben1119 · August 2012

littlewinnie15:
mabenner1:

I also think nurses need to be trained that most babies lose weight after they are born, and that just because they drop a few ounces, doesn't make supplementing necessary.

Do you really believe that post-partum and NICU nurses don't already know this?

The ones at my hospital didn't. I was pushed into supplementing with formula and pumping colostrum when DS was less than a day old. I completely blame this, and the fact that the one LC for the whole hospital was on vacation for my issues BFing.

smilelari · August 2012

Estwd2:
smilelari:
littlewinnie15:
I am honestly shocked by some of the responses on here, so much so that I can't even read through all of them.
First, I EBF'd my son for 6 months and one day. It was a struggle almost the entire way but I bucked up and I did it - which means I know how effing hard it CAN be for some women. (I was in constant pain for 8 weeks from Raynaud's...my boobs will never be the same.)
This new program doesn't just make it so women have to "ask" for formula. I don't know about your states, but in my state hospitals, the formula is not just sitting in the mini-fridge just in case mama doesn't feel like trying. You DO have to request it. This program makes it so a medical reason needs to be given if the mother requests formula, and the formula bottles will be tracked in and out as if it were a medication. Each time a mother requests a bottle, she will be lectured on why the breast is better.
I am as pro-breastfeeding as they come, but this is an infringement on our basic human rights as people, as women and as mothers. Train hospital staff better to support mothers struggling. Offer free breastfeeding courses for pregnant women on how difficult it is to breastfeed. Instead, this program is going to promote more paper pushing to track the consumption of a non-drug - of a food substance, sold openly in the store. Which is going to cost money. Spend the money on education and resources.
A woman should have the right to decide what they do with their body, period. This program says "Well...you have a choice.........but we really want you to choose option A so we're going to make option B really, really difficult for you."
That's about all the energy I have left for this topic...I'll now AW and direct you to my blog where you can read my full response if you have any interest: https://www.momsinmaine.com/2012/07/mayor-bloomberg-please-stay-away-from-my-boobs/
The only background I have on this topic is the link that was posted in this thread which didn't make any of this particularly clear. This might sound completely ignorant, but I still don't see how it's that big of a deal. If you plan to formula feed from the beginning wouldn't you be taking formula with you to the hospital anyways? And if there were some medical issue that required the use of formula wouldn't it be a nurse that suggested it anyways? I don't think it's either of these scenarios they're trying to prevent. I think it's the hormonal tired mom that just gives in that they're worried about and they want to prevent this from being something that is introduced in a moment of desperation rather than something that is well thought through. To some degree this program is probably designed to facilitate a change in how the staff approaches the problem. A lot of the times a nurse is the one to suggest formula to a tired mom and that NEEDS to change.
Keep in mind this is coming from someone who's DS got way more formula than ever intended and I definitely believe that it was lack of education that led us down that road.
https://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/nyc-hospitals-formula-feeding-total-nightmare-mothers-170500454.html
This is a good summary of why people feel this is intrusive/judgemental to mothers and an all-around PITA for nurses.

The lecture part is a little over the top, especially every time. Once should be enough for sure. But, if you choose to FF from the beginning, wouldn't you bring formula with you? I would, with or without this law.

smilelari · August 2012

So, my current take on this is that a law is over the top, but I understand what the major is trying to accomplish. What actually needs to happen is something more along the lines of:

-free breastfeeding classes prior to birth at the hospital, including topics like breastfeeding difficulties and how to prevent issues down the road

-emphasis on the choice between formula and breastfeeding during childbirth classes

-counseling and support on feeding choices during the pre-admission appointment

-lactation consultants available immediately following delivery, during your stay and postpartum

-formula only available by request or due to medical need. No lecture necessary. Nurses should never offer formula unless there is a medical need

-pediatricians that work with you and with your lactation consultant to work through feeding issues. new parents need to be informed of all of their options when working through things like weight gain issues.

-availability of support groups and hotlines postpartum

littlewinnie15 · August 2012

smilelari:
The lecture part is a little over the top, especially every time. Once should be enough for sure. But, if you choose to FF from the beginning, wouldn't you bring formula with you? I would, with or without this law.

Based on your next response in the thread, I think we are close to on the same page about this program. But, regarding the bolded, I think that notion is ludicrous. When a baby is born, they are immediately considered a patient of the hospital. And, being a patient means that you are provided nourishment. I didn't bring my own food to the hospital, and if I only intended to FF, why should I be required to bring food for my child?

littlewinnie15 · August 2012

mabenner1:
littlewinnie15:
mabenner1:

I also think nurses need to be trained that most babies lose weight after they are born, and that just because they drop a few ounces, doesn't make supplementing necessary.

Do you really believe that post-partum and NICU nurses don't already know this?

The ones at my hospital didn't. I was pushed into supplementing with formula and pumping colostrum when DS was less than a day old. I completely blame this, and the fact that the one LC for the whole hospital was on vacation for my issues BFing.

I honestly find it hard to believe that nurses solely responsible for the care of newborns don't know that they lose weight in the first few days of life. However, if that is in fact the case, those nurses should have their RN revoked and be required to go back to nursing school entirely.

In any case, this notion just provides support more education for hospital staff - which I think we all agree on. But that doesn't have to equal taking away the rights of mothers by blocking their access to formula if that is their choice.

smilelari · August 2012

littlewinnie15:
smilelari:
The lecture part is a little over the top, especially every time. Once should be enough for sure. But, if you choose to FF from the beginning, wouldn't you bring formula with you? I would, with or without this law.
Based on your next response in the thread, I think we are close to on the same page about this law. But, regarding the bolded, I think that notion is ludicrous. When a baby is born, they are immediately considered a patient of the hospital. And, being a patient means that you are provided nourishment. I didn't bring my own food to the hospital, and if I only intended to FF, why should I be required to bring food for my child?

Good point. I was just thinking from the standpoint of formula choice being something I would be picky about and wouldn't want to rely on a hospital to have what I want. Although, I also brought all my own food to the hospital. And ordered a pizza. But, I didn't have to do that

littlewinnie15 · August 2012

smilelari:
littlewinnie15:
smilelari:
The lecture part is a little over the top, especially every time. Once should be enough for sure. But, if you choose to FF from the beginning, wouldn't you bring formula with you? I would, with or without this law.
Based on your next response in the thread, I think we are close to on the same page about this law. But, regarding the bolded, I think that notion is ludicrous. When a baby is born, they are immediately considered a patient of the hospital. And, being a patient means that you are provided nourishment. I didn't bring my own food to the hospital, and if I only intended to FF, why should I be required to bring food for my child?
Good point. I was just thinking from the standpoint of formula choice being something I would be picky about and wouldn't want to rely on a hospital to have what I want. Although, I also brought all my own food to the hospital. And ordered a pizza. But, I didn't have to do that

I can understand wanting to, absolutely. Like we brought pop tarts and granola bars. But I'm pretty sure my massive bill included payment for 3 meals a day regardless...

smilelari · August 2012

This is slightly off topic, but a quick question. If you feel that the hospital is responsible for providing food for all patients, even those patients that are young enough to really be 100% reliant on mom and dad, do you think that the hospital should also provide pumps for moms that choose to EP?

mbgreenwalt · August 2012

smilelari:
This is slightly off topic, but a quick question. If you feel that the hospital is responsible for providing food for all patients, even those patients that are young enough to really be 100% reliant on mom and dad, do you think that the hospital should also provide pumps for moms that choose to EP?

Yes and my hospital did. It was set up in the room ready to be used.

On a side note, the women's preventative care portion of the Affordable Care Act went into effect today.

Expanded women's preventive care services on or after Aug. 1, 2012

New coverage guidelines under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) require health plans to cover an expanded list of women's preventive care services with no cost-share (copayment, coinsurance or deductible) as long as services are received in the health plan's network. Coverage for the following expanded women's preventive care services becomes effective the first plan year beginning on or after Aug. 1, 2012:

Breast-feeding support, supplies, and counseling, including costs for renting or purchasing specified breast-feeding equipment from a network provider or national durable medical equipment supplier

sap05e · August 2012

smilelari:
This is slightly off topic, but a quick question. If you feel that the hospital is responsible for providing food for all patients, even those patients that are young enough to really be 100% reliant on mom and dad, do you think that the hospital should also provide pumps for moms that choose to EP?

I think they should provide pumps if a patient requests one. What if a mom goes into labor unexpectedly/early and doesnt have a pump yet but would like to EP/BF? I wanted to BF but was crying and begging for a pump when DD was just over a day old because of BFing issues.

littlewinnie15 · August 2012

smilelari:
This is slightly off topic, but a quick question. If you feel that the hospital is responsible for providing food for all patients, even those patients that are young enough to really be 100% reliant on mom and dad, do you think that the hospital should also provide pumps for moms that choose to EP?

Absolutely. My hospital provided them, and then you could rent them super cheap if you wanted to also take the hospital grade pump home with you.

authorofdreamz · August 2012

smilelari:
This is slightly off topic, but a quick question. If you feel that the hospital is responsible for providing food for all patients, even those patients that are young enough to really be 100% reliant on mom and dad, do you think that the hospital should also provide pumps for moms that choose to EP?

I think so. My hospital did and I could take it home for up to a month and then rent it for a very reasonable price after that.

authorofdreamz · August 2012

smilelari:
The lecture part is a little over the top, especially every time. Once should be enough for sure. But, if you choose to FF from the beginning, wouldn't you bring formula with you? I would, with or without this law.

I would and that's not really the issue I have with the law to me the issue is just that it makes formula seem so shameful, locking it up like it is a drug and giving lectures before giving it out, and that is just going to reinforce mommy guilt a hundred fold and I don't think that should be the method of increasing/encouraging BFing. I think you can encourage BFing without putting women who cant/don't want to down.

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