Marsha commented that

"Ruth wrote of her conversation with a formula rep and the standard
line they are all taught about how expensive it would be for a
hospital to purchase
formula. This is nearly always brought up to sidetrack the
conversation so we
would think that free formula is necessary to keep a newborn nursery
open."


and also that "We have had maternity units
in New England offered large amounts of cash to change their unit
protocol to
once again allow formula discharge packs to be given to breastfeeding
patients. We had a residency program in a hospital offered a large sum
of
money if they would get the nurses on the maternity unit to change the
breastfeeding policy and give out formula packs."

Are these offers in writing??? Can they be sent to one person and
collated into a package to be sent to the government to show them
exactly how these companies are undermining the health initiatives
like the WHO code and BFHI.
We all know that these gifts and incentive programs exist, but perhaps
if the enormity of the situation was realised, the people in a
position to make policy decisions may be more easily convinced of the
pressure that is put upon each institution to have breastfeeding
UNfriendly policies in place.
JMHO
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