Donna asks about tackling the problem of hospitals accepting free
formula, while wanting to become Baby Friendly.  Increasingly,
hospitals in Australia are requiring mothers to bring in their own
formula if they intend to bottle-feed.  They are advised at the time
they book in and are told to research price and availability in
their local area.  No brand is recommended.  The hospital carries a
very small amount (purchased) for "emergencies".

Both our local maternity hospitals do this, and they have been
pleasantly surprised.  It has been well accepted as a positive, not
punitive action.  The mothers who decide to feed artificially get
individual tuition on how to make up the formula they have chosen.
(Ready-to-feeds have no place in hospitals which want to provide
responsible education for bottle-feeding mothers.) They actually get
better care than they used to and go home better informed. These
mothers need more help, not less, than breastfeeding mothers because
their infants are more at risk.

If formula is a big budget item for a hospital, it indicates a
problem.  A change of attitude is required as to the "norm" of how
the babies are to be fed at the hospital - that's what Baby Friendly
is all about.  If human milk is what the hospital endorses, then a mother
can still choose to use something different, but it is at personal
expense.

Are any hospitals in the US addressing the problem this way?

Ros Escott    <[log in to unmask]>
Tasmania, Australia