Pamela wrote: "Ruth, the lovely thing about a hospital being Baby Friendly
is
that the hospital promotes *breastfeeding*.  Thus formula is not needed
except for miniscule amounts for sick/premie babies when it is *medically
indicated* until the mom's milk becomes more plentiful.  Healthy babies do
not require formula at all because, of course, they breastfeed."


So true, but what about the small hospitals for whom delivering babies is
only a part of their mandate? Our small hospital (about 300 babies/year)
also serves pediatric patients, many (most) of whom are bottlefed (no big
surprise, is it?). The argument I hear is that they use little of the
donated formula for newborns, but lots for the older patients. Does the Baby
Friendly Initiative address this concern? (I found Marsha's message very
interesting and will keep it handy, however since Canadian hospitals don't
bill their patients, the costs are NOT directly passed on. The hospital must
absorb the cost of previously donated supplies and presumably are thrilled
not to have to pay for the formula).

Leslie Ayre-Jaschke, BEd, IBCLC
Peace River, Alberta, Canada