Bloomberg’s Ban for Babies

Here he goes again. Mayor Michael Ban-berg – oh, I mean Bloomberg – wants to ban baby formula in hospitals. It gets better.

I’m a proponent of breastfeeding. I nursed my own child. But, it was my decision to do so. Not the hospital’s, not the government’s and certainly not Mayor Bloomberg’s. While I completely support breastfeeding, I do not support anyone telling people what to do with their bodies.

As per an article in the New York Post:

“Starting Sept. 3, the city will keep tabs on the number of bottles that participating hospitals stock and use — the most restrictive pro-breast-milk program in the nation.

Under the city Health Department’s voluntary Latch On NYC initiative, 27 of the city’s 40 hospitals have also agreed to give up swag bags sporting formula-company logos, toss out formula-branded tchotchkes like lanyards and mugs and document a medical reason for every bottle that a newborn receives.”

Say what? Now, nursing is good for the moms and babies. I’ll give you that. It helps mothers lose pregnancy weight faster and it also gives babies natural nutrition. But personal choice is exactly that, personal choice.

There is one component of this initiative that I do support.  If major manufacturers of baby formula are allowed to give out swag bags promoting their products in hospitals, then companies that cater to breastfeeding women, such as Medela, should be allowed to distribute promotional items, too. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

But, come on, limiting lactation choices is not the way to educate people on the benefits of breastfeeding or the choices available to their children.

Heather Feimer of Toms River, NJ states it well. She says, “I left the hospital with all three [of my children] with the same formula. And the entire time, it did nothing but disagree with them. The hospitals should definitely promote all options. Hospitals need to give new moms support and teach them to rely on trusting their instincts. Support them not the corporations.”

Yes, Mayor Bloomberg. Support mothers, not your initiatives.

You can read more about Mayor Bloomberg’s beverage ban here.