Mayor Bloomberg pushing NYC hospitals to hide baby formula so more new moms will breast-feed

[pnwmom]

204. And it is patently untrue. The OP misstates what the regulation will do.

It doesn't affect every newborn. It only affects the newborns of the mothers who say they want to breastfeed and are trying to do so. In the past, some nurses in some hospitals have offered unnecessary formula to breastfeeding newborns, because it can cause them to sleep longer and be less work.

Unfortunately, formula feedings in the early stages of nursing can interfere with a baby's ability to nurse, because the baby has to work harder, and more often, when feeding at the breast. So some reject the breast if they've been offered the bottle. Or, if they're given unnecessary supplements, they nurse less often at the breast than is necessary for building up the milk supply.

Now, a nurse can't offer a bottle to a newborn unless there is a medical reason -- not convenience for the nursing staff -- for doing so.

But it is completely up to the mother whether she decides to nurse or not. That choice is not affected by this regulation.