Hi All,
  Jan, your post on teaching formula feeding was great. However, you
need to add some things.
        Because of baby's increased infection rate (and greater likelihood of
being hospitalized) MOM is more likely to have a higher absenteeism rate
from her place of work, so recommend she prepare herself not to take any
sick days for her personal illness, to insure she has the time to take
when her baby is ill.
   Then remind mom she needs to invest in an insulated/cooler type
carrier for bottles (if she can't afford RTF) to insure that the formula
is not exposed to extremes in temp and more likely to stay useable.
Also, inform her, if she is traveling/moving she may want to secure
bottle(s) of distilled water, for formula preparation, to prevent
stomach upset/diarrhea due to changes in water.
   Be sure to tell her that 50% of formula feeding moms will have to
switch formulas due to 'feeding problems' (allergy, gastro/intestinal
upset, etc.).
   Don't forget to remind her that she should stockpile a reserve of
canned formula (be sure the date is acceptable)and bottles of distilled
water if she lives in an area prone to
tornado/hurricane/blizzard/earthquake or an area that is prone
power/water outages.
   Inform her that nothing must be put into the bottle, except formula
for the first year of baby's life (re: AAP guidelines). She must be
instructed not to substitute cow's milk, juice or water for formula
feeding to insure that baby recieves proper nutrition.
   Also don't forget to mention the cost of the peripheral supplies
needed (bottles, caps, nipples, bottle/nipple brush, bottle/diaper bag,
bottle warmer, insulated bottle cover, etc.) in additon to purchasing
formula.

   I agree wholeheartedly that if we teach bottle feeding correctly, it
is not easier or more appealing than breastfeeding - it just has
different negatives.
   I also want to say that the hospitals that I have been involved with
personally and working, seem to support/promote bottlefeeding more by
omission than by commission. I was never questioned by anyone other than
OB MD, RN or Midwife - not one HCP on L & D or post partum inquired
about breastfeeding, asked if they could help, if I had any questions or
problems except in one (military) where the discharge pack was based on
whether you were breastfeeding or not. To me, this omission of
breastfeeding and the corresponding providing to bottlefeeding mothers
booklets and 'free' formula COMBINED make it clear to everyone that
bottlefeeding is the more acceptable (i.e. hospital approved/endorsed)
and/or easier decision. What so many mothers miss is that the
hospital/HCP is not providing X brand of formula because they feel it is
the 'best' or whatever, that it is because X brand's manufacturer made
the best offer to the hospital administration - perhaps this also needs
to be stressed in teaching moms to bottlefeed correctly.

Leslie Ward
Vine Grove, KY