Wednesday, May 24, 2006

State OKs hospitals giving away free baby formula to new mothers (WHDH-TV)

BOSTON (AP) -- Hospital maternity wards can continue to give away free infant formula to new mothers, state health officials said Tuesday, ending a monthslong debate over the gift diaper bags.

The decision by the Department of Public Health disappointed breast-feeding advocates, who argued that the brand name baby formula gifts were designed to turn harried new mothers toward a less healthy alternative.

"Formula marketing campaigns targeting new mothers do not belong in our state's hospitals. Hospitals should market health, and nothing else," said Dr. Alison Stuebe, a Boston obstetrician and advocate for the Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition.



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