Everyone has posted well on this topic and what came to my mind is that if
the hospitals bought formula only for babies who needed it there would be a
fraction of the cost of what is supplied now.  All of those "free" samples
and all of the formula that is given to babies against a mother's wishes or
"just in case" add to the cost. Real need would be much lower. Most of the
cost that the Rep spoke of is promotion and advertisement, not supplying
necessary product.

Maybe if the hospital had to buy the stuff, the staff wouldn't be so eager
to push it onto a breastfeeding mom and baby. And, as we all know, if it
weren't in the "gift" pack moms might call us BEFORE giving that bottle of
formula instead of just after. (Had 2  of the "afters" this week.)

Patricia Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee
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