'Latch On NYC,' Wants Hospitals To Change Baby Formula Protocol

[Barb135]

Bloomberg's Breastfeeding Program, 'Latch On NYC,' Wants Hospitals To Change Baby Formula Protocol

Posted: 07/30/2012 10:34 am Updated: 07/30/2012 4:35 pm

Starting in September, Mayor Bloomberg's push to encourage breastfeeding will incorporate a new program urging hospitals to keep baby formula under lockdown.

The latest installment of the city's "Latch On NYC" initiative will require new mothers seeking baby formula in the hospital to sign the formula out like medication.

The New York Post reports new mothers will not be denied formula, but if requested, they'll receive a mandated talk from staffers and nurses on why they should opt out.

27 out of the city's 40 hospitals have also agreed to forgo handing out gift bags containing products branded with formula-logos.

In 2011, Rhode Island became the first state to end the widespread practice of giving away free goody bags of formula to mothers and their babies. Months later in July, Massachusetts followed suit.

Earlier this year, the city's health department launched an education program sponsored by the World Health Organization and aimed at teaching new mothers the benefits of breastfeeding over baby formula.

The health benefits of breastfeeding are well-documented and include a significantly reduced risk of childhood obesity and a stronger immune system.


Even so, many mothers believe the decision ultimately lies upon mothers and they say the mayor should butt out.

Upon hearing news of the initiative, a mother told The Post, "If they put pressure on me, I would get annoyed. It’s for me to choose.”

But health officials are applauding the city for its latest push.
Health Commissioner Thomas Farley introduced Latch On in May and said, "Human breast milk is best for babies and mothers...With this initiative the New York City health community is joining together to support mothers who choose to breastfeed.”

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/30/bloombergs-breast-feeding-latch-on-nyc-hospitals-hide-baby-formula_n_1718664.html

[adgal]

There is enough pressure on new mom's as it is.  I have a very very healthy child who was both breast fed and formula fed.  I had to give him formula for medical reasons, and felt guilty enough about it as it was.  THis is another issue where women should be educated on pro's and con's, but certainly not mandated or legislated to do things a certain way.  And please, no more pressure.  It's tough enough already.

[brice1967]

Here's a bit of useful information for Bloomdunce.... I'm fat and it has nothing to do with sugary soft drinks.... I haven't had even a regular size 12oz can of coke in maybe 8 years.  

I would love to actually hear the logic behind this move come out of his mouth.  I want to hear what he perceives as the most likely outcome from this move and how it is going to benefit the good people of New York.

If New York could get Bloomberg to San Francisco, both parties would profit from absolute ignorance and allow the rest of the country to move on while they try to save/ruin each other.

[el_em_en_oh]

Bloomberg is a moron.

First, it was trying to place a ban on the larger sizes of soda, because as everyone knows, the reason that people in the US are fat'a$$es, is large sugary drinks.

Now, he wants to force women to breastfeed.

Idiot.

[desrt]

As long as people's poor decisions result in higher healthcare costs (obesity/immune system related) , the insurance companies are going to want to track where those higher pay outs are going. In concept, it's no different than keeping track of who smokes. It's not like the large size soft drink ban where the consumer is denied access to a product. More along the line of warning labels on packs of cigarettes  -  saying "These are the consequences of the decision you're making".

[Barb135]

While I understand that breast feeding may be healthiest, isn't this taking things just a bit too far?