Huffington Post reports on Undermining Breatsfeeding in US Hospitals

Above graphic taken from http://keepabreastphils.blogspot.com/2007/11/total-effect-of-infant-formula.html

It is shocking to think that formula companies might actually believe that formula is better than the real thing. Those goody bags they hand out some hospitals- do you think they include a breastfeeding pillow and some supportive literature, no. But they do include free formula samples. There are very justified reasons for a m/others conscious choice to formula feed, however coercion and manipulative advertising have got to go.

The following is excerpted from The Huffington Post article by Lindsey Tanner, you can read the full article HERE.

In solidarity with breasts everywhere- SQUAT

Is Breastfeeding Being Undermined By Hospital Freebies? By Lindsey Tanner

"Jessica Ewald brought more than a new baby boy home when she gave birth earlier this year. Like many new moms, she got a hospital goody bag, with supplies including free infant formula and formula coupons.
"We gave it away the moment we came home because I said I'm not having that in our house," Ewald said.
Ewald, 32, of Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., is the daughter of a breast-feeding activist who fought to get those goody bags out of hospitals. Ewald was taught early on that "breast is best," and even though as a teen she rolled her eyes when her mom asked pregnant women about nursing, Ewald knew she'd choose breast over bottle when her own time came.
Borrowing a line from a blogger, Ewald says hospitals sending newborns home with formula "is like giving somebody divorce papers at their wedding." It can really undermine a woman's determination to breast-feed, she said."

Link to the full article:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/26/breastfeeding-undermined-by-hospitals_n_980840.html