Should politicians tell hospitals to withhold baby formula to newborns?

1. 62

   Charity Squidposted 11 years ago

   Should politicians tell hospitals to withhold baby formula to newborns?
   
   The Mayor of NYC wants to make it a law for hospitals to keep baby formula under lock and key to encourage mothers to breast feed their babies.

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2. 67

   BSloanposted 11 years ago

   I don't think that's a decision the Mayor should make.  Many mothers already choose to breast feed their babies since formula is so expensive.
   
   There are many mothers that would love to breastfeed their babies but sometimes are unable to due to complications or other health related problems after birth.

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   1. 62

      Charity Squidposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I agree.  But the mayor said on the news, if it's not a medical reason the mother will be denied formula in the hospital.  I know that breast feeding is the natural way, but it still should be the choice of the woman.

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3. 79

   junksellerposted 11 years ago

   We also need to ask if it is right for hospitals and corporations to push formula as an option like they have been doing for decades. To me, this is simply pushing back against formula's unfair advantage. Breastfeeding is the better option. It should be presented as such, and we should do whatever we can to help families be successful with it.
   
   Also, as far as I've been able to tell this is entirely a voluntary initiative, so the mayor passing laws to lock up formula story is a bit of an exaggeration.

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   1. 62

      Charity Squidposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      This is how it was reported on the news last night.  The law will take affect in September.  I believe that breast feeding is a better option, but the choice should still be the mother's decision, not some law.

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   2. 79

      junksellerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      The regulation about formula already exists. The Mayor's program has voluntarily asked for hospitals to enforce the regulation. It doesn't make sense to me for hospitals to accept a poor health decision without good reason.

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   3. 78

      Sally's Troveposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      As junkseller says, this is a voluntary initiative, not a law.
      
      http://www.medpagetoday.com/Pediatrics/Parenting/33993

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4. 0

   Larry Wallposted 11 years ago

   Whether to breastfeed or bottle feed is a decision ultimately left to the mother, with perhaps input from her husband and doctor. Politicians and groups have no business telling a woman how to feed their babies.

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5. 58

   emmahunter588posted 11 years ago

   I don't think it is the politician's concern as to whether it is right to withold formula feeding. But regardless of who said it. It is really not right to promote bottle feeding. Breast milk is always best for babies. if you are interested to have a medical billing business, visit http://advantmedicalbilling.com/patient … sentative/

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6. 74

   Silver Fishposted 10 years ago

   Here in the UK women have to bring their own formula into hospital if they don't plan to breastfeed.
   Hospitals are UNICEF baby friendly- a small amount of formula is kept in hospitals for emergencies, but otherwise women have to have their own brought in.

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