Mayor Bloomberg's infant formula plan aimed at promoting breast-feeding in NYC hospitals

[X Factor 1,112]

Mayor Bloomberg's infant formula plan aimed at promoting breast-feeding in NYC hospitals

First he took on big servings of soda. Next on Mayor Michael Bloomberg's agenda is infant formula.

Going into effect on September 3, New York City's mayor will implement his voluntary Latch On NYC initiative in which infant formula will be kept locked away at hospitals to encourage breast-feeding for new mothers.

Report: Massachusetts birth hospitals ditch free infant formula gift bags

Breast-Feeding State by State: Who's #1?

Under the new program, reported by the New York Post, mothers who insist on bottle-feeding will still be able to do so, but nurses would have to sign out the baby formula, which would always be on hand for mothers who have difficulty breast-feeding.

The Post reports that 27 of the city's 40 hospitals have also agreed to eliminate gift bag giveaways of infant formula and other free items like lanyards or mugs with formula-company logos.

The mayor has gotten criticized over the new policy, which is set to take effect in September. While some are chiding the mayor for imposing a "nanny state," The National Alliance for Breast-feeding Advocacy says it's a good program.

The Alliance's executive director says keeping baby formula under lock and key, like medicines are kept, helps prevent hospital staffers from reaching for a bottle first, instead of encouraging new mothers to nurse their babies.

The program is voluntary for hospitals, and is part of a nationwide effort to improve newborns' health by promoting breast-feeding for babies.

Some city hospitals are already taking part in the program. At NYU Langone Medical Center, breast-feeding rates have surged from 39 percent of new moms to 68 percent since the program was implemented, the Post reported.

Earlier this month, Massachusetts health officials announced they would eliminate free giveaways of infant formula at the state's 49 hospitals beginning at the end of July to promote breast-feeding.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that moms exclusively breast-feed for the first six months of a newborn's life to boost protection against many illnesses and allergies.

Babies who are fed formula and stop breast-feeding early may be more at risk for diabetes, respiratory and ear infections and are more likely to require doctor visits, prescriptions or hospitalizations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children who aren't breast-fed are also more likely to be obese and are at a higher risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

The CDC says in the U.S., most babies start breast-feeding, but within the first week, half have already been given formula, and by 9 months, only 31% of babies are breast-feeding at all.

My link

[Ban Hammer 13,590]

so, when are women's rights groups gonna protest this one?

[X Factor 1,112]

so, when are women's rights groups gonna protest this one?

They must be getting ready for the lesbo kiss-out at Chick Fil-A at 7 pm on Aug 3rd

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Another prime example of Liberals = Bolsheviks.

[Danno 1,228]

Come on people, read between the lines here.

Formula is expensive ... think of all the money a broke system could save by women not needing formula.

THis thing will go nation wide, think of the wic dollars that will be saved to keep these programs alive a bit longer.

[Ban Hammer 13,590]

Come on people, read between the lines here.

Formula is expensive ... think of all the money a broke system could save by women not needing formula.

THis thing will go nation wide, think of the wic dollars that will be saved to keep these programs alive a bit longer.

good idea, but i'm more inclined to think the mayor just wants to see some side #######.

[rocks 494]

so, when are women's rights groups gonna protest this one?

They won't. This is a good idea.

The article doesn't mention it but there are many health benefits for the mother too.

Edited July 31, 2012 by rocks

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

I wonder how many of these babies will be breast feeding from drug addicted mothers.

[rocks 494]

I wonder how many of these babies will be breast feeding from drug addicted mothers.

Obviously that wouldn't happen...

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Obviously that wouldn't happen...

Explain.

[rocks 494]

Explain.

What's to explain?

Breast milk fights disease – The cells, hormones, and antibodies in breast milk protect babies from illness. This protection is unique; formula cannot match the chemical makeup of human breast milk. In fact, among formula-fed babies, ear infections and diarrhea are more common. Formula-fed babies also have higher risks of:

Necrotizing (nek-roh-TEYE-zing) enterocolitis (en-TUR-oh-coh-lyt-iss), a disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract in preterm infants.

Lower respiratory infections

Asthma

Obesity

Type 2 diabetes

Some research shows that breastfeeding can also reduce the risk of Type 1 diabetes, childhood leukemia, and atopic dermatitis (a type of skin rash) in babies. Breastfeeding has also been shown to lower the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

Breastfeeding can be good for the mother’s health, too – Breastfeeding is linked to a lower risk of these health problems in women:

Type 2 diabetes

Breast cancer

Ovarian cancer

Postpartum depression

Experts are still looking at the effects of breastfeeding on osteoporosis and weight loss after birth. Many studies have reported greater weight loss for breastfeeding mothers than for those who don’t. But more research is needed to understand if a strong link exists.

Link

This is far more important and affects far more women than trivial comments about drug addicted mothers.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

What's to explain?

Link

This is far more important and affects far more women than trivial comments about drug addicted mothers.

So your saying that it's not a big deal if a drug addicted mother breast feeds her baby correct?

[X Factor 1,112]

California mother Maggie Jean Wortmon, 26, faces charges of second-degree murder for breastfeeding.

Evidence at the woman's preliminary hearing suggests that she "knowingly endangered her infant's life by breast-feeding while using methamphetamine," according to ABC News

According to the New York Times, "The baby was pronounced dead at a local hospital, and was later discovered to have methamphetamine in his system."

Drugs, legal or illegal, can have severe consequences for a breastfeeding infant.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700168636/Using-illegal-drugs-while-breast-feeding-can-have-severe-consequences-for-infant-and-mother.html?pg=all

[X Factor 1,112]

Obviously that wouldn't happen...

On the other hand the risk from breastfeeding due to drugs isn't that widespread.

Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug among nursing mothers. The active ingredient, THC, is concentrated in human milk and may make your baby sleepy. Inhaling passive smoke increases the amount he absorbs. As with nicotine, exposing your baby to second-hand smoke increases the amount of the drug he receives. There is one study that found an exposure to marijuana through mother’s milk was associated with decreased motor development at one year. (Ashley & Little, 1990) Because there is little evidence of real harm, it is probably better to continue nursing if you smoke pot occasionally than to wean and deprive the baby of the protective benefits of breastfeeding.

http://www.breastfeedingbasics.com/articles/drugs-and-breastfeeding

[rocks 494]

On the other hand the risk from breastfeeding due to drugs isn't that widespread.

Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug among nursing mothers. The active ingredient, THC, is concentrated in human milk and may make your baby sleepy. Inhaling passive smoke increases the amount he absorbs. As with nicotine, exposing your baby to second-hand smoke increases the amount of the drug he receives. There is one study that found an exposure to marijuana through mother’s milk was associated with decreased motor development at one year. (Ashley & Little, 1990) Because there is little evidence of real harm, it is probably better to continue nursing if you smoke pot occasionally than to wean and deprive the baby of the protective benefits of breastfeeding.

http://www.breastfeedingbasics.com/articles/drugs-and-breastfeeding

All this stuff about drugs is irrelevant. The fact that breastfeeding can help prevent cancer in women, reduce infant deaths and many more things is far more relevant.

So your saying that it's not a big deal if a drug addicted mother breast feeds her baby correct?

I already said it wouldn't happen. Your point is stupid.