Mary has told us about her state's plan to bypass the Baby Friendly designation for a state-created list of actions to impove breastfeeding in the hospital, and the reference to BFHI as a monopoly. This  monopoly reference sounds a lot like formula company language. I am sure that other hospitals have received the hard sell from formula manufacturers working to discourage them from becoming Baby Friendly. Baby Friendly is not a monopoly, it sets the standard of care for lactation support and services in a hospital. I find it interesting that other hospital credentialing programs, like magnet status from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, have not been referred to as a monopoly. While taking steps to improve breastfeeding care practices is important, watering down the Baby Frienly criteria does a disservice to mothers and babies by continuing to allow practices that are known to be detrimental to breastfeeding.

Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC
Weston, MA   

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