Public Citizen Launches New Campaign Against Hospital Formula-Pack Handouts

Four months ago, the AP could report that "New mothers in Rhode Island will no longer leave the hospital with a free goody bag of infant formula."

But according to Public Citizen -- which today launched a campaign to take hospitals to task for formula handouts -- other new parents in "at least two-thirds" of American hospitals can't say the same.

In a letter distributed to more than 2,600 American hospitals, the organization argues that the “distribution of commercial discharge bags marketing infant formula is … unethical and contrary to good public health policy," adding: "When hospitals distribute formula samples, they participate in the marketing efforts of formula companies at the expense of patients.”

“Hospital promotion of infant formula in discharge bags contravenes the consensus by all major healthcare provider organizations that exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months after a child is born is best for the health of both babies and mothers,” the group said in a press release.

Public Citizen has also posted an online petition targeting formula manufacturers Abbott, Mead Johnson and Nestle.

The campaign is the latest step in an ongoing march to end the controversial formula-handout practice. The CDC’s 2011 Breastfeeding Report Card found that nearly a quarter of breastfed babies born in the U.S. receive formula before they are two days old.

An August 2011 CDC report entitled “Vital Signs: Hospital Practices to Support Breastfeeding --- United States, 2007 and 2009" noted:

When mothers formula feed or discontinue breastfeeding early, the risk for infectious illnesses in their children is increased, as is the mother's risk for developing breast and ovarian cancer.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding (breast milk with no solids or other liquids except vitamin/mineral supplements or medications) for about the first 6 months of infancy, and then continued breastfeeding, along with the introduction of iron-rich foods, for at least the first year of an infant's life. Although approximately 80% of women in the United States indicate before delivery that they intend to breastfeed, and 75% initiate breastfeeding, at 1 week half of women have already given their infant formula, and only 31% are breastfeeding to any extent at 9 months.

For women who plan to breastfeed, experiences and support during the first hours and days after birth influence their later ability to continue breastfeeding.

Were you given formula samples after the birth of your child? Did they have a significant influence on your attitude to breastfeeding? Let us know in the comments below.

From our partners

• 25 Signs That You Are About To Go Into Labor - Mommyish
• 'Dutch Babies Sleep' And Other European Parenting Secrets - BabyCenter
• 7 Great Books That Explain The Birds And The Bees - Circle of Moms

Comments

[krayoncolorz]

09:27 AM on 05/29/2012

Look not everyone can breastfeed. I have a low milk supply with all three of my children. I breastfed and pumped as much as I could and had to supplement. Of course I couldn't use the free samples because my children have milk/soy allergies but I did donate them to the local food bank which is in great need. If you don't want it donate it. Formula is expensive and if someone is going to use it they will use it regardless. Yes, let's encourage breastfeeding and give free lactation consultants to people while they are in the hospital and try and set them up for success but I just don't agree with this...to each his own.

[AdelinasMom]

03:39 PM on 04/29/2012

I loved the "goodie bag" that I got from the hospital after I had my daughter. Not only did it contain formula but also had numerous samples of baby products that I didn't know were out there. Many of which I went and bought full size portions of because it turned out to be a better product then what I had originally purchased for use with my daughter. It came with some pacifiers, a thermometer, pamphlets & brochures, a bottle cooler and all sorts of other helpful things. I breastfed almost exclusively for 11 months but I will say that in the beginning the samples of formula helped with supplementing while baby & I were getting the hang of latching on and as I was getting used to the pain associated with it all. If they are going to target the formula companies then they should target the diaper rash cream companies, baby lotion & wash companies, and numerous other companies whose samples are being given out. But also on the side of being a new parent at the time and not knowing all the products available it is a lot nicer to receive a small sample of a product instead of spending a lot of money on larger products trying to find the right one.

[MissKerryO]

04:09 PM on 04/25/2012

Why is giving away free formula different than your doctor giving you free samples of a new prescription drug that they have been talked into prescribing? Lets not get all up in arms about the effect of advertising in the labor and delivery ward when we are constantly being confronted with commercials for prescription drugs and our doctors are prescribing us whatever they have been sold lately.

[Breastfeeding Ten Steps]

08:13 AM on 04/16/2012

Have a look at this and then decide.
Did you ever wonder what’s in... ?
Breastmilk - Formula
http://tensteps.org/pdf/whats-in-breastmilk.pdf

[krystal kenning]

10:14 PM on 04/15/2012

When i had my daughter i planned on exclusively breastfeeding. Unfortunately i wasn't able to. I was so glad that the hospital gave me formula to take home, as i didn't have any. I had a c-section and wasn't able to get to the store for a few days. That formula was a life-saver!

[Kansas mom]

10:59 PM on 04/12/2012

Are people not reading the article? You'd think from the outrage that formula is being banned in the country. No choice is being taken away. The babies whose moms choose formula will not be denied formula in the hospital. You just don't get freebies to take home. Seriously you have 9 months to prepare, if you know you are going to formula feed get some before the baby is born. If you aren't sure have a can or two on hand just in case. Wal-Mart & many grocery stores are open 24/7 if you get that desperate. The entitlement mentality "don't take my free stuff" is sad.

[gem11]

05:37 PM on 04/15/2012

Right on. The way this debate is being framed as taking away a woman's right to formula feed is bizarre.

[Num1Christy]

03:48 PM on 04/11/2012

I didn't breast feed either of my children, I tried, it didn't work. Frankly, I probably wouldn't have lasted even if I could have gotten some milk in. I'm the worst person in the world lol, oh well. My mom didn't breast feed ANY of her 4 girls and we are all just fine. I wish mom's would stop being so pushy and nosy. You do what you want, and I'll do what I want.

[dhrynio]

08:32 AM on 04/12/2012

What does that have to do with using a hospital to market a product? This article is not about formula vs breast, it is about stopping the practice of pushing a product in a place that it does not belong.

[Num1Christy]

08:44 AM on 04/12/2012

It's no one's business what a PRIVATE hospital gives out for free to new moms! It's always about formula vs breast with neurotic moms who know best for their child and ALL the other children as well.

[marianproletarian]

01:27 PM on 04/11/2012

Yes, I received the free formula bag at my first prenatal visit. Did it sway my decision about whether or not to breastfeed? No, I was already decided, but I was a well-informed 37-year-old mom to be. I can totally see how these free bags do no good for promoting breastfeeding, though, especially to young mothers who are unaware of the benefits of BF. BTW, I used the free bag for toting my breast pump.

[celticmaiden7475]

12:49 PM on 04/11/2012

Formula is very expensive free formula is helpful.

[gem11]

05:35 PM on 04/15/2012

Again, if the new mothers "can't afford" the formula, the "free" samples the hospital provides are going to make little to no difference in the formula costs of $800-$2,800 that they will be incurring annually. Plus, the samples are not "free" as the promotional marketing costs are obviously rolled into the inflated price of formula overall.

For those truly in need who choose to formula feed, WIC provides it for free (which is another debate alltogether).

[celticmaiden7475]

07:37 PM on 04/15/2012

I have WIC for my baby and it is an excellent program I think. It's not just for the formula but they do help mothers learn how to feed the right kinds of food and they can help new mothers when they have conserns about their babies or their pregnancies.

[Miranda584]

11:24 AM on 04/11/2012

First let me say: If you choose to formula feed, that's your choice, I know you decided to do so for legitimate reasons, with lots of care, concern, and love for your baby. You're not a bad mom, and your baby will likely be totally healthy and fine. But this truly isn't about the "right" to choose formula or whether it is "the correct" choice (And I don't think that people are truly worried someone is going to somehow stop them from formula feeding if that's what they choose). This is about using nurses and doctors to market products. It's not appropriate, period. If a woman chooses to formula feed, then the nurse should support her in the hospital, teach her how to mix a bottle, and send her home, and mom can buy formula when she's home. Part of the choice to formula feed involves choosing to pay for formula (duh). Nobody ever likes giving up free stuff, but doctors marketing a product that does indeed have risks as compared to breastfeeding, not to mention high costs, is unethical.

[marianproletarian]

01:27 PM on 04/11/2012

Totally agree.

[gem11]

05:32 PM on 04/15/2012

Exactly!!!

[Mommy4Boys]

10:59 AM on 04/11/2012

I have breast fed all four of my sons - the oldest three well into into the second year. But when I had my youngest son 6 weeks ago, I was disappointed that my hospital didn't offer the free samples. Even as a breastfeeding mother, I could use the free coolers and diaper bags that the formula companies offer. My having had a baby doesn't negate my ability to reason. It's not like mothers don't have 9 months prior to the birth of their children to consider whether they will breastfeed or not. I don't need the hospital or anyone else making a decision as to what freebies I should or should not be exposed to. My family simply donates the formula samples to other families. I don't see how treating new mothers like children is helping anyone.

If the concern is that women are under the influence of drugs after having given birth, then why not stop drugging women during delivery - it can be done - or an even more likely alternative, create a birth plan with your doctor or partner and tell them not to offer your child formula in the hospital. Problem solved without some third party having to step in and save us poor birthing mothers from our own choices and decisions.

[marianproletarian]

01:29 PM on 04/11/2012

I don't think the solution is to continue to treat a mothers like a children by removing her right to pain medication.

[bngd]

09:22 AM on 04/11/2012

The pedi scared me into giving my four week early baby formula to prevent her blood sugar level from going down. Under all the drugs I was in I agreed. Who wouldn't? I was never able to breast feed exclusively after that and now after seven months I believe it's the end. sniff.

[celticmaiden7475]

12:36 PM on 04/11/2012

There is nothing wrong with giving your baby formula. My son was early I was not able to breast feed him because he did not have enough strength. My only concern was getting my tiny baby healthy. Now he's 9 and doing beautifully

[marianproletarian]

01:30 PM on 04/11/2012

Sorry that you weren't able to breastfeed, but it sounds like you did/do your very best, and it's not the end of the world. Your baby will do just fine.

[Nicole Kott Schreiber]

08:22 AM on 04/11/2012

FINALLY!!!!!

[Veluriel]

02:15 AM on 04/11/2012

Well I guess I'm screwed - I was fed soy formula the entire time. Oh well.

Seriously though, I think it's good that people are getting free stuff, period. Some mothers can't breastfeed, or just flat don't want to. If you want to claim that people can raise their kids however they want and champion breastfeeding, then you have absolutely no right to say that women can't choose to formula feed if they want to.

Otherwise, you're just being a hypocrite.
--
And it's not like the hospitals are trying to sell you formula - the companies give it to them to gain exposure, sure. But the hospitals are just giving stuff away that some new mothers might want but can't afford. Jeez, it's not that big of a deal.

[gem11]

05:30 PM on 04/15/2012

If the new mothers "can't afford" the formula, the "free" samples the hospital provides are going to make little to no difference in the formula costs of $800-$2,800 that they will be incurring annually. Plus, the samples are not "free" as the promotional marketing costs are obviously rolled into the inflated price of formula overall.

[MaMaofsix]

04:47 PM on 04/10/2012

i think what people are not getting is that it isn't preventing you from giving your child formula. it is keeping advertising out of the L&D wards. why is that bad? if you want to give your baby formula you can go to the market and get it. there are always coupons for it. if you are tight on money WIC will give it to you as well. it isn't like you can never get formula. heck some shops are open 24/7 so can get it at night.
i just honestly don't see why it is so upsetting to people if they actually have to buy the food/formula for their baby. if that is how you are planning on feeding your baby than you are going to have to buy it, because it costs money. i am going to guess you could even write formula companies and ask for samples and coupons and they will gladly send them to you.
as for all the freebies... why do you need them at all? if you are having a baby you know you will need diapers, and all that other stuff, so why wouldn't you have it at home already?
if you are freaked because you think you won't be able to nurse your baby than go and buy some formula. if you are worried you won't have enough diapers get a dozen packs of them and have them at home.

[gem11]

04:47 PM on 04/15/2012

Exactly!!! The way this debate is being framed as a "woman's rights issue" is bizarre. No one is saying that formula feeding should be banned or that women should be "forced" to breastfeed. They are simply saying that it is inappropriate for formula companies to be able to actively market their inferior product (via "goodie bags" with "free" samples of formula) in a hospital setting.

It is also bizarre that many people seem to think that their infant would have "starved to death" without their "free" formula sample. I am fairly certain that formula is widely available for purchase.