Formula Vs Breastfeeding Debate in Carroll County

Last week, we reported that the Carroll Hospital Center in Westminster was mulling doing away with for new mothers being discharged.

The hospital’s discussion spurred debate among our readers, ranging from women imploring the hospital to make breast pumps more available, to others who said “breastfeeding is being shoved done women’s throats.”

Tell us in comments: Should hospitals include formula samples in gift bags for new mothers, or does that practice discourage breastfeeding?

Alissa Schaub-Rimel: I breastfed and formula fed and see the benefits of breastfeeding. Having said that, I'm real tired of breastfeeding being shoved down women's throats. Anyone who doesn't want the formula can decline it. 

Megan Wells Bassett  I wish hospitals would loan out inexpensive breast pumps instead, but there isn't any profit in that for the hospital or formula companies ... the only ones that would profit are mamas and babies.

Mary Jo Custance Having it there for moms that need it is a good idea. Maybe make it something a mother can ask for.

Kelly Haden Farrington The samples are wasted on parents who are breastfeeding anyway, but there are plenty of parents who could use them. They are so helpful for new parents who formula feed, it's nice to have those small sample bottles for newborns. 

Those little bottles come in handy in the middle of the night when your milk hasn't come in yet and you have to feed your baby!!

After 6 weeks of colic and tons of pressure from EVERYONE about breastfeeding, we found out that our infant was allergic to breastmilk! Thankfully we made the decision to use some of the free formula and had a happy baby in less than 2 days! Not typical I know, but had the pressure been a little less maybe we would have done it sooner. 

See related links:

• Infant formula gift bags no longer sent home by most Massachusetts hospitals

• Public Citizen Launches New Campaign Against Hospital Formula-Pack Handouts

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