General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Hospitals pressured to end free baby formula [View all]vanlassie
(5,670 posts)to breastfeed, because you think nicotine in breastmilk contraindicates breastfeeding, please don't. Formula is far, far more potentially harmful. Mothers deserve evidence-based support. Being "spitty" is not the correct indicator for advising formula.
And of course, mothers who smoke should not smoke over their babies. They should smoke outside. However, if, in fact, they expose their children to cigarette smoke, this is still a REASON to breastfeed, given the many protective factors of breastmilk. Breastmilk protects against lifelong illnesses. It is alive.
As far as the reference to RJ Reynolds, some think it is inflammatory. True, cigarettes have killed more. UNICEF is stating a million babies a year die from not breastfeeding at this time- thanks to formula companies false advertising in the third world, mainly. But OBESITY in the developed world is now related to artificial feeding in the early months. When we finally get a count on those numbers- I'll bet it will end up that formula comes out the winner in harmful effects.
So what other PRODUCT has such a chummy relationship with the healthcare industry that they get docs and nurses to be proxy advertising reps? Medically necessary infant formula should be available, but this is not what we are currently having happen- hence the necessary campaign to get it out of the hospitals. Formula companies offer millions to defeat the competition- and breastmilk is the competition.