Fewer Hospitals Give Formula to New Moms
About one-third of U.S. hospitals still send formula home with new mothers even if they are breastfeeding, a new study shows. But the practice has become much less common in the last few years, the study found. The study was based on a national survey of hospitals and birth centers. In 2007, 73% of hospitals reported that they sent breastfeeding mothers home with formula for their babies. That fell to 32% in 2013. The study author said this is an encouraging trend. Doctors recommend that babies receive only breast milk for the first 6 months of life. But this happens for only 19% of babies born in the United States. Women who give their babies some formula are less likely to stick with breastfeeding. The journal Pediatrics published the study. HealthDay News wrote about it May 26. Â