Maryland Hospitals Will No Longer 'Gift' Formula Bags At Discharge
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The debate over breastfeeding versus formula feeding heats up. Effective immediately, Maryland hospitals will no longer give out free formula samples.
Amy Yensi with more on the change and what mothers are saying about it.
The goal is to promote breastfeeding. And though the change has only been in effect for about a day or so, mothers have a lot to say about it.
For Becca Souder, the choice between breastfeeding and formula feeding wasn't much of a choice. She says a new decision by Maryland hospitals to stop giving out baby formula samples could make things harder for new moms.
"I have to feed my child, and that's none of your business or problem," said Souder. "So stop making it your problem."
In an effort to promote breastfeeding, all 32 birthing hospitals in the state have stopped giving out formula samples. Maryland is the fourth state to stop offering the gift bags--joining Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Delaware.
Deputy Secretary of Public Health Dr. Howard Haft says while mothers are no longer sent home with the promotional giveaway bags, they can still request formula at the hospital.
"At least for the reason to encourage breastfeeding, but also because providing samples is sort of a tacit endorsement of one or another product," Dr. Haft said.
Mercy Medical Center OB/GYN Chair Dr. Robert Atlas says breastfeeding is what's best for mother and baby, but every case is unique.
"Breastfeeding isn't for everyone. It is hard. It is time consuming. It is free, but it is a hard thing for women," said Dr. Atlast.
Others say the decision creates an unnecessary divide between breastfeeding mothers and mothers who use formula.
"It's basically saying, 'You know what, you're a crappy mom. You're starting this off all wrong by giving them something that's not natural,'" said Souder.
The Health Department is not enforcing the change, the hospitals are doing it voluntarily.
The move puts Maryland in compliance with the World Health Organization and is backed by the Maryland Breastfeeding Coalition.
The decision does not affect the state's WIC program, which provides assistance to low income families.
