Hospitals pressured to end free baby formula

[KitSileya]

64. I think everyone can agree that breast milk is best, but in some cases that it is not possible

The stories about mothers that could not breastfeed or children that could not nurse, do not disprove that breastfeeding is generally considered best for children. Fundies in each camp are out with their inflexible arguments, but it seems that the focus should not be on formula/not formula, but on the companies that are profiting from this practice.

These companies have no concern for the mothers and babies. None. They only care about the profit. Nestlè certainly proved that when they dumped a whole production run of formula in Africa in the 90s, because there was a typo in the English instructions ont he packet. Following them would lead to infant death - the mixing of formula has to be very precise. They have deliberatly pressured health carers in Africa and other places to promote formula as better than breastmilk, which seems reasonable given the bad nutrition of the mothers. It completely disregards the lack of clean water, the lack of hygiene, and in many cases illiteracy these mothers have to contend with. Why would we let these companies continue a practice you know they would only do because of profit? Why should we support them? The answer is, we shouldn't.

As for mothers in America, it is very idealistic of many in this thread to portray all mothers as so conscious of their choices, but reality is, more and more babies are born to second and third generation formula givers - there is a general lack, awareness, and acceptance of breastfeeding. There is a class gap where educated mothers breastfeed more often, while working and under class mothers often do not. The societal priority that someone mentioned upthread is one that is somewhat accepted among the middle classes, while poor babies, whose mothers cannot afford maternal leave, start their disadvantaged upbringing literally with their first meal. Letting companies provide fomula just perpetuates this - instead all adults should promote proper maternal leave, proper health care for mothers, a liveable wage... Not put more money in the coffers of baby killers like Nestlé.