Mayor Orders Hospitals to Pressure Mothers to Nurse

Daily Mail

Mayor Bloomberg has demanded that hospitals stop handing out baby formula to persuade more new mothers to breastfeed their babies.

The New York City health department will monitor the number of formula bottles being given out and demand a medical reason for each one.

From September 3, 27 out of 40 hospitals in the city have agreed to the terms of the Latch On initiative – which will also see them stop handing out free bags of formula and bottles.

Although mothers who want to bottle feed their babies will not be denied formula, it will be kept under lock and key similar to medications.

However any mother who requests formula will be given a lecture on why breastfeeding is better by hospital staff.

‘Human milk is best for babies and mothers,’ said health commissioner Thomas Farley when the campaign was launched in May. ‘With this initiative the New York City health community is joining together to support mothers who choose to nurse.’

However mother-of-two Lynn Sidnam, who formula-fed both her daughters, told the New York Post: ‘If they put pressure on me, I would get annoyed.’

Some hospitals are already operating under the policy. NYU Langone Medical Center has seen breastfeeding rates soar to 68 per cent from 39 per cent.

Medical experts support the Latch On initiative. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies should be exclusively nursed for the first six months of their life as it lowers risk of ear, respiratory and gastrointestinal infections and developing asthma.

It is also in the health interests of the mother. There has been a link established between nursing and reduced risk of cancer.

25 Comments

  • Good 4 health

    For once Bloomberg is doing something good! Those formula companies have been giving cheep or free formula to hospitals so that new mothers get used to using it. Formula may be the easy way out but not the health way.

  • Good job

    Let mothers nurse more than being lazy and not caring enough for their babies. Mothers need to know that this is how you learn to care more for the child especially after childbirth. Oh and btw for all the frum mothers out there keeping cholov yisroel… its that much cheaper and easier.

  • critiz

    he might be able to make a difference if he would URGE rather than pressure. How silly of an approach

  • breast feeding is hard but i doing it

    Breast feeding is best
    but as a new mother i think if mayor blumberg wants more mothers to nurse he should provide finaacial aid so mother can see a lactation consultant. And demand hospital have well trained lactation on staff available to the mothers 24/7.
    And taus out the lecture bit. Guilt, mothers naturally want whats best for their baby.

  • Good work!

    Now that King Mike has solved the daily shootings and muggings, fixed the school system, got drugs off the streets etc, now he has time to worry about all the important stuff…

  • Mommy Bloomberg

    How far will this arrogant and condescending egomaniac go?

    Is he going to distribute menus with the foods we are permitted to eat? How about a daily schedule, with lights out at 9:30? Require everyone to run 2 miles and do 50 pushups daily?

  • signs of Moshiach

    Our president, governor and mayor are all behaving like kings and emperors rather than public servants elected by the people. May this is a sign that as we approach Moshiachs times, when monarchy will replace democracy, monarchy is in the air. WWMN!

  • To #2

    Are you a mother? Because your comment is rather arrogant. Sometimes mothers don’t have a choice. A baby that I’ve known since she was born and love her more than anything wasn’t thriving with breast milk. She went 2 months without gaining a single once and she was very skinny and small – then she was out on formula and although her weight gain was rather slow and she’s still small and underweight it helped her thrive.

    Do you know what happens o the brain when deprived of adequate nutrition…it doesn’t thrive as much….

    So a bit of advice to you,…don’t be so arrogant

  • DeClasse- Intellectual

    Nanny Bloomberg strikes again–soon he will be telling use what kind of support hose to be wearing or how to dress for winter and summer. This is a reflection of the left wing liberal culture which believes that only the government knows anything and only the government can decide what is good for people even if it violates the persons’s personnal religious beliefs;i.e., Obama’s mandate on birth control in religious hospitals.
    It is time to vote the incumbents out who have lost touch with the people who they supposidily represent. We want elected officials to serve us–not an outdated left wing ideology.

  • Elesoy

    “He just goes around imposing his will on other people; he’s my idol.” –E.C.
    Breastfed babies have stronger lungs throughout childhood, and carry less fat in infancy.

  • Rdz

    I am bothered by this. Initially, it sounds like a good idea. I feel that the mothers should be allowed to choose either way without pressure. Many women are able to breast feed and it works well for them and their children. Great. Many however have problems doing so and feel pressure to continue to try to do so. This can cause a lot of emotional problems for the mother and family. If the government wants to suggest breast feeding based on the research suggestinging that it is better, so be it. But do not lecture or condemn one thath chooses to use formula.

  • #2 should be ashamed

    #2 is obviously a self righteous, arrogant and probably an annoying “Know it” person. Not all women are able to breastfeed.Check it up, there are many issues that can occur. Does it make the mother lazy, because she doesn’t produce enough milk or because her anatomy doesn’t allow her? And by the way, I am a mother who nursed her baby, but I know that it DOES NOT MAKE ME BETTER THEN ANOTHER MOTHER WHO CANT!!!!!! so you, my dear anonymous #2, Grow Up

  • Why are people so mad?

    This is only a good thing. He’s doing things to make the future generation more healthy. Give him a thanks.

  • Andrea Schonberger

    What if the doctor advises the mother not to breastfeed? When I was born, in 1962, I had health issues and the doctor advised no breastfeeding or homemade formula. He gave my parents a prescription for a special formula that could only be bought at a pharmacy. Sometimes for a variety of reasons babies cannot or must not be breastfed.

  • mommy to 4

    to # 13: why are people so mad? because he is a man and clearly does not know what it means to not be able to breastfeed a baby! His statement is very general and throes everyone in the same category. There are exceptions which is what formula is good for. Instead he should be stating “ i would like to have more le leche league women out there advocating breastfeeding and supporting moms through the difficult times so that each women can fulfill what her body was meant to do and succeed at producing adequate milk” More SUPPORT it what is needed…many women try and try and simply give up. Yes it can be that hard!

  • The Dictator Strikes Again!

    Hey, Bloomie! Speaking of Moms: You smell like Mother Russia!

  • calm down

    calm down people. he isn’t saying you can’t raise a similac child. just encouraging breast feeding.

  • Cali Mom

    I believe nursing is amazing and great for the baby. I nurse. But, you can’t judge woman that don’t. It’s hard and some woman or babies can’t do it. Don’t argue with me because I will put you in your place. I have a few friends who I know first hand wanted and tried so hard to nurse but they couldn’t…as long as mom and baby are very happy and comfortable I think that’s better than an unhappy mom struggling to nurse and a baby who isn’t being fed correctly. Period.

  • ch resident

    I think that women should have a choice to breastfeed or give formula. If Mr Bloomberg is so concerned about breastfeeding only then he shouldn’t make women who are on welfare go to work as in most work places it is very hard to breastfeed and have the good support that you need

  • Give me a break Bloomberg!

    Mind your own business Bloomberg! As a mother of 10+ children who thanked the Abishter that there was such a thing as formula, I think he’s really putting his nose in a most inappropriate and very private matter. Sorry for the innuendo! Just keep counting your cash buddy and keep the child rearing to those who are gifted with such.

  • Money, money, money!

    All he thinks about is the bottom line! Formula is expensive, and he doesn’t want hospitals to foot the bill, i.e. his government.Blah, blah, blah! What will this nut think of next?

  • ANGRY MOM

    WAKE UP ——FOR SOME PEOPLE BREAST FEEDING IS NOT AN OPTION.IT IS DISGUSTING THAT THIS WAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED.IT IS AN INSULT ADDED TO INJURY TO PRESUME THAT EVERYONE CAN BREAST FEED. GUESS WHAT EMPEROR BLOOMBERG I CAN’T AND IM GOING BROKE FEEDING MY CHILD. AND FOR ALL THE SELF RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENTAL PROPONENTS OF BREAST FEEDING WHO HAVE MADE ME FEEL FEEL IMMORAL FOR THE WAS GOD MADE ME—– TAKE YOUR HEAD OUT OF THE SAND.GET GUNS OFF THE STREETS AND STOP WORRYING ABOUT THE ISSUES OF FREE CHOICE.

  • Liora

    Breastfeeding is the most logical and healthy thing for a baby and for the mother… does anyone read???? the article states clearly that, “mothers who want to bottle feed their babies will not be denied formula.” He is cutting out the freebies that formula companies have been giving for years, which is a wonderful thing breastfeeding is best!!! There are lactation specialists available at hospitals. As a breastfeeding counselor the health benefits outweigh anything you can stack against it. Not everyone can or should breastfeed, he isn’t saying you have to, just stating the obvious and taking away advertisers influence. I say hooray!

  • Nobody

    #23, Those freebees are very helpful to poor people who can’t breast feed. Why does Bloomberg hate poor people?

  • lactation consultants

    I’m looking for a lactation consultant. can s’o post a name and number please???

    For this to work , the hospitals need lactation consultants coming around.
    I had a baby 2 months ago and i didnt have any help in staten island hospital. When i asked for help they sent nurses and they were not helpful