The real cost of buying formula for hospitals who are trying to become
baby-friendly is not in the actual dollar cost to purchase formula for those
mothers who still don't choose breastfeeding. The real cost is in giving up
all the other money the formula companies "give" the hospital in return for
handing out their formula, which may run into the millions of dollars to
build buildings, host conferences, pay for lunches, send all doctors and
nurses on ski vacations for the weekend, etc. If it were only a matter of
buying a little formula instead of getting it for free, it would be a simple
matter. . . . .
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Katherine A. Dettwyler, Ph.D. email: [log in to unmask]
Anthropology Department phone: (409) 845-5256
Texas A&M University fax: (409) 845-4070
College Station, TX 77843-4352
http://www.prairienet.org/laleche/dettwyler.html