Breastfeeding Rates

The recent Breastfeeding Bill of Rights in New York includes lots of great ways for us to help more moms breastfeed. There was one aspect that I noticed but didn’t discuss on my last blog entry.  That is, the idea that somehow if we just stop giving away diaper bags with a few formula samples, then moms will breastfeed longer. 
 
I don’t know any mom who made her choice about how long to breastfeed based on a sample of formula. But, many well intentioned people believe that.  What I do know, is that the hospital where I work, El Camino Hospital in Mountain View California has the distinction of having the highest breastfeeding rates in the state! I think it’s 97%.  No small achievement. They do provide mother’s with diaper bags which has a breastfeeding book, information on newborn care, and well, yes, a sample of formula. 
 
So, in a hospital with extraordinarily high breastfeeding rates, how come giving the diaper bag away doesn’t interfere?  Well, my theory is that it’s all the work that occurs before and in the hospital.  We already follow most of what’s on the NY Breastfeeding Bill of Rights.  Most moms do take a breastfeeding class before they deliver.  All of the nurses have been trained to help a mom get her baby latched on.  There is also a recognition that not everyone can achieve the ideal, and so information and support is also provided to those moms, so that they too feel supported and their babies get the safest alternative to breastmilk.