Should postdelivery freebies (discharge packs) at hospitals be stopped?
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I love freebies. Especially baby freebies. I started getting them at my OB`s, then at the hospital after delivery, and even by mail during the first year of my babies`life. They came in different forms: baby care products, toys, baby formula, and baby food.
A recent study, however, shows that distribution of free ?discharge packs? to new mothers at hospitals can have a negative impact on breastfeeding.
A study on 3895 women in Oregon indicated that women who received these packs have the tendency to stop breastfeeding or do mix feeding (breast milk + formula) rather early compared to those who did not received the commercial freebies.
Discharge packs are usually part of marketing campaigns of companies producing baby products and infant formulas are invariably a part of it. The authors of the study suggest that distribution of these packs in hospitals should be reconsidered.
What do you think? Should hospital freebies be stopped altogether? Or should they simply exclude baby formula out of it?
Source:
Rosenberg et al. Marketing Infant Formula Through Hospitals: the Impact of Commercial Hospital Discharge Packs on Breastfeeding. American Journal of Public Health, February 2008, Vol 98, No. 2 290-295
Lisa says...
Hi, I’m expecting my first child and since you already had yours I was wondering if you could help me on what exactly was your eating methods, because I just want to make sure I’m not eating too much of certain things.
Lisa says...
I do not think the freebies should be stopped. I received them as well and continued to breastfeed until my son started drinking whole milk. It is really a matter of self discipline. I gave my free milk to parents that needed it and could not breastfeed.
Maddie's Mama says...
I personally loved all the freebies, and I exclusively breastfeed (my daughter is almost 7 months). If you are set on breast feeding, then the eighty cans of formula you get mailed to you (okay, so I am exaggerating a little - but not much) won’t bother you too much. What I did was give some to my babysitter and left some at the grandparent’s houses. I also pump, so she does not get breastmilk from me and then formula when I am not around. But it is good for emergencies - like when I got stuck somewhere and she was starving. If people are really turned off by the formula they recieve, I am sure there are people who have a hard time paying for formula that would take it.
Bobbie says...
I think that if the mother breastfeeds in the hospital then there should be NO formula in the freebies bag from the hospital.I know that the mothers know it is there and choose to bottle feed instead so they can rest. Everyone knows that bottle fed babies sleep longer.
Science-mom says...
Hi Lisa,
If you mean eating during pregnancy, this site has lots of into on it. You can check the following links
http://blogs.babiesonline.com/2008/01/14/essential-nutrients-during-pregnancy/
http://blogs.babiesonline.com/2008/01/22/vitamin-e-and-pregnancy/
or you can simply search using the keywords “pregnancy food” or “pregnancy eating”
All the best.
Dawn says...
In principle, I agree that they should stop offering formula freebies to mothers who breastfeed. But, by the same token, yes, all it takes is discipline to not use it, and these samples can be put to good use being donated to women who can’t breastfeed.
At first, I likened it, mentally, to the whole “offering of drugs” to mothers’ who are trying to have a natural childbirth. But… you’re presumably not under physical and emotional duress when you’re making the choice to forego formula, so it’s a bit different.
If it’s that much of a temptation, donate the cans as soon as you get them. I’m keeping a few around just in the event of an emergency… who knows what could happen?
I vote for them taking formula out of the freebie packs and adding more diapers / coupons for breastfeeding moms. LOL
Added financial incentive. (As if $1500 in the first year savings isn’t enough…)