CircleBumpCheckedFilledMedicalBookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxCheckBoxFilled

Fewer US Hospitals Are Offering Formula

save article
profile picture of Anisa Arsenault
By Anisa Arsenault, Associate Editor
Updated March 2, 2017
Hero Image
Image: Shutterstock

Fewer hospitals are offering formula to new moms. No, they’re not being stingy. They’re working to promote breastfeeding.

Formula handouts have been on the decline for years, but a new CDC study published in the journal Pediatrics determined that only about a third of hospitals distributed free formula in 2013, compared to nearly three quarters in 2007.

“Hospitals and health care systems are places we look to for guidance on health,” lead study author Jennifer Nelson, MD, MPH, told Reuters. “When hospitals distribute formula to breastfeeding mothers, it signals that formula feeding is as good as breastfeeding.”

To conduct the study, researchers looked at data from the biannual Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care survey, administered to all US hospitals with maternity beds. Hospitals that deliver the most babies saw the biggest drop in formula distribution.

While some women truly cannot breastfed, Nelson indicates free formula handouts discourage many mothers from attempting to nurse at all, or lead them to give up sooner. While four out of five new moms in the US start out breastfeeding, only 60 percent are exclusively breastfeeding one week later.

Nelson adds that early support from hospitals and caregivers is crucial for breastfeeding success. Hospitals can take certain steps to earn a “Baby Friendly” distinction, meaning they’ve met certain criteria for encouraging breastfeeding immediately after birth and helping to sustain it afterwards. Some of those steps include keeping mom and baby together 24 hours a day, training both moms and staff how to properly breastfeed and exclusively feeding infants breast milk, unless medical circumstances require otherwise.

Still, if you do need formula, your options are expanding. Similac just announced the launch of a GMO-free version of its Advance formula, available exclusively at Target.

save article
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

Lindsay Lohan attends the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 10, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California.
Lindsay Lohan Jokes She Has Bald Spots From Son's Hair Pulling Phase
By Wyndi Kappes
Emma Stone accepts the Best Actress in a Leading Role award for "Poor Things" at the 96th Annual Oscars held at Dolby Theatre on March 10, 2024 in Los Angeles, California
Emma Stone Gives Sweet Shout Out to Her Toddler in Oscar Speech
By Wyndi Kappes
baby baptism shoes and gold cross necklace
15 Baby Baptism Gifts That Bring the Blessings
By Martina Garvey
ADVERTISEMENT
Blake Lively attends the Michael Kors A/W 2024 fashion show during New York Fashion Week in Chelsea on February 13, 2024 in New York City.
Blake Lively Says Having Kids “Electrified” Her Nervous System
By Wyndi Kappes
celebrity actress, Viola Davis with her adopted daughter, Genesis
Viola Davis Recounts Accidentally Locking Her Baby in a Car
By Wyndi Kappes
child's 5th birthday party with friends
Amid Birthday Party Fatigue One Mom Shares Her Three-Party Policy
By Wyndi Kappes
Taylor Swift and Blake Lively react prior to Super Bowl LVIII between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada
Blake Lively Says Super Bowl Was Her First Time Out Without Her Kids
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
Tyler Perry on The Kelly Clarkson Show - Season 5 February 2024
Tyler Perry Shares His Secret to Being a Great Father to His Son
By Wyndi Kappes
baby feet wrapped in pink blanket with heart
NICU Nurses Capture Baby’s First Valentine’s Day
By Wyndi Kappes
Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger attend Cleobella x Katherine Schwarzenegger event at The Coast Lounge at Palisades Villages on November 04, 2023 in Pacific Palisades, California
Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt Reveals How She Combats Mom Burnout
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
donna kelce and family
Baby Doesn’t Get a Free Pass for Super Bowl, Donna Kelce Explains
By Wyndi Kappes
dad talking to young daughter
Viral Post Praises the Magic of "Role Play" Parenting
By Wyndi Kappes
mother holding newborn baby
Viral Video Speaks to the Power of a Postpartum Village
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
30 First Birthday Gift Ideas Worth Celebrating
30 First Birthday Gift Ideas Worth Celebrating
By Martina Garvey
pregnant mom with child and husband
Viral Post Addresses Drop in Second Pregnancy Support and Celebration
By Wyndi Kappes
grandpa holding grandson
The Internet Debates How Often Grandparents Need to See Baby to Bond
By Wyndi Kappes
mom and baby celebrating birthday
Study Explores Why Mom Is Likely to Share a Birthday Month With Baby
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
mother holding newborn baby during christmas time at home
Viral TikTok Helps New Moms Set Boundaries This Holiday Season
By Wyndi Kappes
mother playing with toddler daughters at home
This Year's Top Trending Parenting Styles, According to Google Search
By Wyndi Kappes
bluey season 3 on disney+
Bluey Goes on a Break: Final 10 Episodes of Season 3 Arrive Next Month
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List