Mandi has asked where to find money to purchase formula for her hospital.
First of all, congratulations to you and your staff for your committment to
becoming a baby friendly hospital. This is so important for improving
breastfeeding everywhere.

You do not need to seek separate funding to buy formula. Formula is a food
item, the same way mashed potatoes are food for patients. The hospital buys
food for its patients and the cost is passed on to the patient in the room and
board charge. We have discussed this before and you can find more about this
in the archives. Formula companies work hard to convince hospitals that they
will have to pay large sums of money for formula. This is simply not true in
the US where insurance carriers pay for the room and board charge. Feeding
patients is part of the care that is contracted for.

Keep up the good work

Marsha Walker
Weston, MA