Hospitals pressured to end free baby formula

[Horse with no Name]

33. Well I work at a hospital that gives free samples

and we also have Lactation Consultants on staff to help ensure the new mom's will have adequate teaching and support if they want to breastfeed.

We counsel the mother before birth to find out what she really desires and use that as a measure to help her after the birth...when she is tired and frustrated...or milk hasn't come in so she doesn't give up on something she really wanted to do.

Most of us nurses aren't a bunch of paid corporate shills and honestly...could care less about being "Breast Nazi's" but instead, being there to support the mother on whatever choice she decides to make.

And fwiw...there are MANY moms out there who don't want to quit smoking, who take medications that are not conducive with breastfeeding, or simply (gasp) don't WANT to breast feed and sending them home with a few little goodies to stick in their diaper bag is much appreciated.

And just so you know--we also send the breast feeding mothers home with ice packs, motrin, breast pads, pumps, and cream to help them as well.

It is nothing but public relations for hospitals--not some insidious plan to get babies hooked on formula.