A Push for Babies’ Health

Just a month prior to Major Bloomberg’s announcement ordering hospitals to hide their baby formula so new mothers will breastfeed, The National Alliance for Hispanic Families brought focus to the issue of breastfeeding. While Hispanic women have some of the highest rates of initial breastfeeding, they plummet upon exiting a hospital setting and when measuring for the exclusive feeding of breast milk to infants 6 months and younger.  Additionally, as Hispanic women become more acculturated, breastfeeding initiation rates go down.

On June 12 -13 in Washington D.C., NAHF convened Hispanic health experts, researchers, and community-based leaders to a “Solutions Dialogue”.  As a result, participants developed recommendations towards the creation of a national demonstration project that utilizes the strengths of faith and community based organizations to improve maternal and child health within the Hispanic community.  Among the recommendations from the maternal health “Solutions Dialogue”, one was the development of public awareness campaigns that educate and promote breastfeeding. That is why Major Bloomberg’s pro-breastfeeding push is so exciting.  New York City continues to be an influential city for the nation and once again is ahead of the curve in this breastfeeding initiative. We are hopeful that more hospitals across the nation will follow suit to become more breastfeeding friendly, recognizing the importance of breastfeeding as the impetus in the continuum of healthy living.

To access the full Solutions Dialogue report click Solutions Dialogue MH FINAL REPORT:

Mayor Bloomberg pushing NYC hospitals to hide baby formula so more new moms will breast-feed. Starting September 3rd, 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 freebees like lanyards and mugs, and document a medical reason for every bottle that a newborn receives. New mothers who want formula won’t be denied it, but hospitals will keep infant formula in out-of-the-way secure storerooms or in locked boxes like those used to dispense and track medications. The New York Post explains, “With each bottle a mother requests and receives, she’ll also get a talking-to. Staffers will explain why she should offer the breast instead. ‘It’s the patient’s choice,’ said Allison Walsh, of Beth Israel Medical Center. ‘But it’s our job to educate them on the best option.’”

To read the full article in the New York City Post click here.