Mayor Bloomberg is demanding that woman breast feed their babies. Hospitals are now to put baby formula under lock and key and mothers who want to feed their babies formula must sign for each bottle of it. They must also go through instruction on the pros and cons of breast feeding.

I thought this was a joke when I first heard about it because it is so insane and intrusive.

[www.huffingtonpost.com]

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If you don't stand for something, you'll probably fall for anything.

It's certainly paternalistic and short-sighted.

Baby formula should not be regulated like a dangerous drug.

I think it's a very good idea, which is also why Rhode island and Massachusetts have already stopped the practice of giving out free formula goodie bags to new moms.
All they are doing is blocking companies like Nestle that manufacture formula from pushing their products on new moms without education and information to go along with it.
The moms will still get any formula they want while in the hospital.
Our country is insanely and dangerously anti-breastfeeding - time to change the culture and the thinking.
As a new mom myself - 20 years ago, I would have appreciated and applauded this approach. I already knew the benefits of nursing and that's what I did, but I was also sent home with nearly a case of "free" formula.

formula and the companies that peddle it are evil. The OB nurses I know all say that most new mom's that don't breast feed cite (1) vanity and (2) inconvenience. Sign of the times, sadly.

So, I say go Bloomberg. As a society, our breastfeeding rates are abysmal. Something like 11% are still doing it after 2 weeks. The connections to reduced allergies, lower obesity rates, better brain development, etc. are well-established.

With our twins, we had another factor: it's free.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/30/2012 05:57PM by Kiva.

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Kiva
formula and the companies that peddle it are evil. The OB nurses I know all say that most new mom's that don't breast feed cite (1) vanity and (2) inconvenience. Sign of the times, sadly.

So, I say go Bloomberg. As a society, our breastfeeding rates are abysmal. Something like 11% are still doing it after 2 weeks. The connections to reduced allergies, lower obesity rates, better brain development, etc. are well-established.

With our twins, we had another factor: it's free.

Add (3) insane husbands

>>Add (3) insane husbands

...do i dare ask how they get in the way?

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Kiva
formula and the companies that peddle it are evil. The OB nurses I know all say that most new mom's that don't breast feed cite (1) vanity and (2) inconvenience. Sign of the times, sadly.

So, I say go Bloomberg. As a society, our breastfeeding rates are abysmal. Something like 11% are still doing it after 2 weeks. The connections to reduced allergies, lower obesity rates, better brain development, etc. are well-established.

With our twins, we had another factor: it's free.

Hurray for you and your wise wife and lucky twins!

I'm aware of the physical, psychological and financial advantages of breast feeding, but what happened to CHOICE? Liberals are so big on a woman's right to choose. Now you have to get a doctor's note?

The formula companies have been around for 70 years. I don't blame them at all. In fact they provide a big service to women especially those who, for what ever reason cannot breast feed. My mom had 8 kids and had a congenital problem that prohibited her from breast feeding.

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If you don't stand for something, you'll probably fall for anything.

Where is he demanding?

All he is doing is countering an insideous marketing racket that has been going on way too long. Young women should be aware that they can provide a superior product to their child for FREE. Sadly, all too many do not know this.

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Unpaid Social Liaison

Nobody's choice has been removed. The formula is there if moms want it in the hospital, and they can certainly buy it anytime they want.


It's about not using hospitals to push an unhealthy approach to feeding infants. Hospitals should be advocating for what's healthy, and that's what they are trying to do here.

Bloomberg should concentrate on running New York City instead of what people (or babies) eat. It's none of his business!

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If you don't stand for something, you'll probably fall for anything.

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swampy
Bloomberg should concentrate on running New York City instead of what people (or babies) eat. It's none of his business!

he's certainly had a thing for pushing health issues but most new yorker's are quite happy for it.

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swampy
Bloomberg should concentrate on running New York City instead of what people (or babies) eat. It's none of his business!

[www.nyc.gov]

No kidding! Cities have no business educating the public about health!

Yes it's very much his business as a leader. Healthier people are more productive and they cost the public less.

Read sometimes about baby formula marketing in the third world. Horrific.

I'm perfectly comfortable with public Health officials not allowing companies to market unhealthy things to patients in hospitals. And recognizing that sometimes the @#$%& don't work as designed.

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swampy
I'm aware of the physical, psychological and financial advantages of breast feeding, but what happened to CHOICE? Liberals are so big on a woman's right to choose. Now you have to get a doctor's note?

This is completely bogus. They can get formula if they want or need it. Banning the formula companies from the predatory marketing practice of peddling unhealthy substitutes in health care institutions is little different than banning candy and soft drink machines in elementary schools (I suppose you don't have a problem with that practice either).

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"So be proud to be a decent American instead of just a w'anker whipping up fear!" - Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland

"I thought this was a joke when I first heard about it because it is so insane and intrusive." - swampy

I say formula companies hijacking the natural order of things in intrusive. I think people putting up with it is insane.

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mattkime
>>Add (3) insane husbands

...do i dare ask how they get in the way?

Not going into it, but I had one. I'm sure I am not alone.

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swampy
I'm aware of the physical, psychological and financial advantages of breast feeding, but what happened to CHOICE? Liberals are so big on a woman's right to choose. Now you have to get a doctor's note?

The formula companies have been around for 70 years. I don't blame them at all. In fact they provide a big service to women especially those who, for what ever reason cannot breast feed. My mom had 8 kids and had a congenital problem that prohibited her from breast feeding.

I understand what you are saying, but as already pointed out the baby formula business is predatory. You'd think women were making a choice. An informed choice. But often that just isn't the case. Women are being distanced from manipulative marketing in the hospital while they have access to professional advice and training so that they can make an informed choice.

Next he'll regulate the size of the "containers" that the breast milk comes in. No Super-Size allowed.

In the debate leading up to Obamacare, the other side warned that under the pretense of public health, the government can force you to do anything. Man, it was quick.

>>I understand what you are saying, but as already pointed out the baby formula business is predatory.<<

Since lending practices were also predatory, my question is are they the same species of predators?

Here's the press release for the program. It isn't as radical as described.
[www.nyc.gov]
I'm not sure about naming the program "Latch On NYC". It's kind of too cute and too corny for my taste.

When my mother was of child-bearing age they knocked you out, got the baby out of you, and gave you a shot while you were still out to dry up your breasts without even asking. After the first child she knew to say No in advance. They really did used to act as if the mother who was giving birth was some kind of irritant in their work lives.

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"Stop thinking about art works as objects, and start thinking about them as triggers for experiences." ~ Brian Eno

As $tevie implies, there is a point in the birthing process at which a woman must make a choice, because the drug used to prevent lactation must be made in a timely manner. so it IS a CHOICE, it appears the consequences of deciding not to breast feed makes women who choose not to to be treated differently. She must go through the indoctrination and she must sign out every bottle of formula she uses.

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If you don't stand for something, you'll probably fall for anything.

swampy, your outrage knows no logical boundaries. only political ones.

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swampy
As $tevie implies, there is a point in the birthing process at which a woman must make a choice, because the drug used to prevent lactation must be made in a timely manner. so it IS a CHOICE, it appears the consequences of deciding not to breast feed makes women who choose not to to be treated differently. She must go through the indoctrination and she must sign out every bottle of formula she uses.

Did you read the press release? Do you not understand that the CHOICE to breastfeed was being interfered with? That these are measures to protect those that CHOOSE breastfeeding?

The only thing swampy reads carefully is right wing talking points.

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Unpaid Social Liaison

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swampy
As $tevie implies, there is a point in the birthing process at which a woman must make a choice, because the drug used to prevent lactation must be made in a timely manner. so it IS a CHOICE, it appears the consequences of deciding not to breast feed makes women who choose not to to be treated differently. She must go through the indoctrination and she must sign out every bottle of formula she uses.

Swampy, drugs to suppress lactation are no longer given by doctors, due to dangerous side effects. That happened about 25 years ago. The best way to suppress lactation is to let nature take it's course.
Why are you calling health education "indoctrination?" That's ridiculous.

Which mother WANTED to breast feed and was prevented? Another evidence that libs think people are helpless and need the guidance of the state.

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Did you read the press release? Do you not understand that the CHOICE to breastfeed was being interfered with? That these are measures to protect those that CHOOSE breastfeeding?
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My point exactly

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If you don't stand for something, you'll probably fall for anything.

Geezus!! God forbid we hinder big business! Profit is everything! Let's gage everything through the eyes of the almighty dollar! If it stops a sale it must be government control!

Wake up you freaking morons. Women were given formula samples before they even entered the hospital when my daughter was born. No doubt it still happens. Ads in magazines mothers to be read, ads on TV, it all makes it look so good, easy, and natural. But there's that dollar thing. So what if it's not as good. Guess diet and exercise shouldn't be touted either over the many statins, bp, and diabetic meds pharma push as easy and safe. Gotta make that their dollar!

Ah, so it's about taxing the rich, not healthy babies.

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Kooper's Flute Thing cover

[www.freethegrapes.org]

norwegian wood reality TV

[www.youtube.com]

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billb
Ah, so it's about taxing the rich, not healthy babies.

barnaclebill speaks from his own pre op personal experience.

babies are tax deductions, donchaknow?

not everyone can breast feed. my wife tried, but it just didn't work. it's not as easy as you might think, if you've never been through it or had a relative who has -- it's stressful and painful and not the ideal situation.

engorged breasts full of milk might seem hot, but imagine a swollen @#$%& full of some fluid that made it painful to stand up straight or walk.