Why Are Hospitals Aggressively Pushing Formula on Newborns? (2014)

https://www.alternet.org/2014/06/why-are-hospitals-aggressively-pushing-formula-newborns/

Dr. Jennifer Thomas, a practicing pediatrician has written "Dr. Jen's Guide to Breastfeeding," striving to help empower women to succeed with breastfeeding in and out of the hospital. She states, "More than 20% of kids in the U.S. are being supplemented with formula before 2 days. That makes no sense. Surely, our species can do better than having one in five newborns needing supplementation to survive the first 2 days of life."


Hospitals started pushing formula years ago, even before 2014

bmks270 said:

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Can we start milking moms to sell to other moms?

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The moms Facebook groups have been doing this for years.

baron_von_awesome said:

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stetson said:

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baron_von_awesome said:

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ABATTBQ11 said:

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TChaney said:

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So the homemade formula recipe using watered down evaporated milk and corn syrup probably isn't too far off from the powdered stuff.

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Except it is because evaporated milk is still cow's milk, just with much of the water removed. ALL of those other words and numbers are the important parts.

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Corn Syrup, just like god intended, lol

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I would never feed my baby corn syrup.

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Exactly

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Crazy that this is in some formulas. Europe bans it I believe.

The American Academy of Pediatrics says infants who receive formula run a higher risk of getting childhood diseases, diabetes and childhood obesity.



The below is from 2013....shows that many hospitals started to make an effort to support breast feeding, finally.


https://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/health/ct-met-baby-friendly-hospitals-20130110-story.html

Hospitals push breast-feeding in hopes of getting 'baby-friendly' label

baron_von_awesome said:

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Why Are Hospitals Aggressively Pushing Formula on Newborns? (2014)

https://www.alternet.org/2014/06/why-are-hospitals-aggressively-pushing-formula-newborns/

Dr. Jennifer Thomas, a practicing pediatrician has written "Dr. Jen's Guide to Breastfeeding," striving to help empower women to succeed with breastfeeding in and out of the hospital. She states, "More than 20% of kids in the U.S. are being supplemented with formula before 2 days. That makes no sense. Surely, our species can do better than having one in five newborns needing supplementation to survive the first 2 days of life."


Hospitals started pushing formula years ago, even before 2014

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Ours (Memorial Hermann) did the opposite. They stressed breastfeeding as the clear best from the moment our daughter arrived. If that was ever a real trend, hopefully it has reversed. I can't even imagine doctors or nurses telling women formula is better.

baron_von_awesome said:

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Why Are Hospitals Aggressively Pushing Formula on Newborns? (2014)

https://www.alternet.org/2014/06/why-are-hospitals-aggressively-pushing-formula-newborns/

Dr. Jennifer Thomas, a practicing pediatrician has written "Dr. Jen's Guide to Breastfeeding," striving to help empower women to succeed with breastfeeding in and out of the hospital. She states, "More than 20% of kids in the U.S. are being supplemented with formula before 2 days. That makes no sense. Surely, our species can do better than having one in five newborns needing supplementation to survive the first 2 days of life."


Hospitals started pushing formula years ago, even before 2014

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Would you think it is okay to give a toddler no food for two days?

If the answer is no, why would it be okay for a newborn?

Tanya 93 said:

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baron_von_awesome said:

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Why Are Hospitals Aggressively Pushing Formula on Newborns? (2014)

https://www.alternet.org/2014/06/why-are-hospitals-aggressively-pushing-formula-newborns/

Dr. Jennifer Thomas, a practicing pediatrician has written "Dr. Jen's Guide to Breastfeeding," striving to help empower women to succeed with breastfeeding in and out of the hospital. She states, "More than 20% of kids in the U.S. are being supplemented with formula before 2 days. That makes no sense. Surely, our species can do better than having one in five newborns needing supplementation to survive the first 2 days of life."


Hospitals started pushing formula years ago, even before 2014

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Would you think it is okay to give a toddler no food for two days?

If the answer is no, why would it be okay for a newborn?

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Talk to the Pediatrician who said it, your a Dr right? We can't question things unless we are doctors I thought?

baron_von_awesome said:

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Tanya 93 said:

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baron_von_awesome said:

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Why Are Hospitals Aggressively Pushing Formula on Newborns? (2014)

https://www.alternet.org/2014/06/why-are-hospitals-aggressively-pushing-formula-newborns/

Dr. Jennifer Thomas, a practicing pediatrician has written "Dr. Jen's Guide to Breastfeeding," striving to help empower women to succeed with breastfeeding in and out of the hospital. She states, "More than 20% of kids in the U.S. are being supplemented with formula before 2 days. That makes no sense. Surely, our species can do better than having one in five newborns needing supplementation to survive the first 2 days of life."


Hospitals started pushing formula years ago, even before 2014

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Would you think it is okay to give a toddler no food for two days?

If the answer is no, why would it be okay for a newborn?

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Talk to the Pediatrician who said it, your a Dr right? We can't question things unless we are doctors I thought?

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Thanks for the answer

Baby formula is big business in the us. Generates a ton of revenue and much of it is distributed at no cost to recipients of welfare as a poster pointed out in another thread. The companies that make it have either a huge pharma lobby or manufactured food lobby (abbot, nestle).

I bet if a pediatrician could talk about it without the risk of being sued into the ground they could probably give parents a recipe and preparation method that would be a reasonable facsimile for at least short term feeding. Pediatricians like Dr. Sears used to have recipes published in their books from previous decades! Maybe they weren't perfect, but I bet it's not as far off as the makers of enfamil and similar would want you to think. The components of most formula are cows milk, some form of sugar and vitamins. Main limitation is not getting too much salt for baby as they can't eliminate it. Not talking about special dietary needs or allergies, just the majority.

Also, I'm sure it's an unpopular opinion here based on some of what I've read: we need to support and encourage moms of all employment status to nurse their children. Not by berating them, by providing opportunity and by normalizing the process of nursing. We also need to be healthier and slimmer as a nation. I wonder how many instances of insufficient production are due to hormone imbalance secondary to obesity or exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals.

Tanya 93 said:

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baron_von_awesome said:

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Tanya 93 said:

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baron_von_awesome said:

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Why Are Hospitals Aggressively Pushing Formula on Newborns? (2014)

https://www.alternet.org/2014/06/why-are-hospitals-aggressively-pushing-formula-newborns/

Dr. Jennifer Thomas, a practicing pediatrician has written "Dr. Jen's Guide to Breastfeeding," striving to help empower women to succeed with breastfeeding in and out of the hospital. She states, "More than 20% of kids in the U.S. are being supplemented with formula before 2 days. That makes no sense. Surely, our species can do better than having one in five newborns needing supplementation to survive the first 2 days of life."


Hospitals started pushing formula years ago, even before 2014

---

Would you think it is okay to give a toddler no food for two days?

If the answer is no, why would it be okay for a newborn?

---

Talk to the Pediatrician who said it, your a Dr right? We can't question things unless we are doctors I thought?

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Thanks for the answer

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Your welcome.

baron_von_awesome said:

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Tanya 93 said:

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baron_von_awesome said:

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Tanya 93 said:

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baron_von_awesome said:

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Why Are Hospitals Aggressively Pushing Formula on Newborns? (2014)

https://www.alternet.org/2014/06/why-are-hospitals-aggressively-pushing-formula-newborns/

Dr. Jennifer Thomas, a practicing pediatrician has written "Dr. Jen's Guide to Breastfeeding," striving to help empower women to succeed with breastfeeding in and out of the hospital. She states, "More than 20% of kids in the U.S. are being supplemented with formula before 2 days. That makes no sense. Surely, our species can do better than having one in five newborns needing supplementation to survive the first 2 days of life."


Hospitals started pushing formula years ago, even before 2014

---

Would you think it is okay to give a toddler no food for two days?

If the answer is no, why would it be okay for a newborn?

---

Talk to the Pediatrician who said it, your a Dr right? We can't question things unless we are doctors I thought?

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Thanks for the answer

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Your welcome.

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Not sure if you're just trying to make Tanya's eyelid twitch, or if I need to be grammar Nazi.

Boo Weekley said:

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CDUB98 said:

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Wondering if OP has kids.

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No way. And neither do some of these "if only there was another way to feed your kids" smartasses. To be fair, when I was younger and dumber, I didn't know anything about breastfeeding either.

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So calling people without kids a smart-ass helps?

How's the view from your high horse?

Formula was pushed as a better alternative to breast milk by the medical industry starting back in the 60's. It really hasnt been until relatively recently (maybe last 15 or so years) that the trend has pushed back to more breast feeding over formula.

Part of that was the ignorance of medicine back then - hell, our entire dietary outlook in general was garbage (food triangle, highly processed foods being the norm, etc) and sadly part of it was liability protection because breast milk is a function of what the mother puts in her body - whether that be food, drugs, etc. When you are talking about the 70's and 80's in particular, and talking about demographics, formula was the safe choice in many applications over breast milk.

Wet nursing, or a form of it anyway, is a thing and has been for a long time. But it wont fix the issue, and not every woman can produce enough for their own child. Doesnt make the woman a bad mom and anybody that thinks so is a moron.

Boo Weekley said:

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baron_von_awesome said:

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stetson said:

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baron_von_awesome said:

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ABATTBQ11 said:

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TChaney said:

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So the homemade formula recipe using watered down evaporated milk and corn syrup probably isn't too far off from the powdered stuff.

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Except it is because evaporated milk is still cow's milk, just with much of the water removed. ALL of those other words and numbers are the important parts.

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Corn Syrup, just like god intended, lol

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I would never feed my baby corn syrup.

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Exactly

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Crazy that this is in some formulas. Europe bans it I believe.

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Why, exactly, is it crazy?

Corn syrup is essentially sugar syrup.

Goat milk has abut 16g of sugar, breast milk has about 17g of sugars in the same volume. Corn syrup has 16g of sugars.

Sugar is not a bad thing, it is essential. Corn syrup is going to provide those sugars in formula. It also provides carbs, sodium andpotassium while being cholesterol free.

TChaney said:

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So the homemade formula recipe using watered down evaporated milk and corn syrup probably isn't too far off from the powdered stuff.

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~ 50% sweetener, yeh still better than new Coke.

baron_von_awesome said:

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Why Are Hospitals Aggressively Pushing Formula on Newborns? (2014)

https://www.alternet.org/2014/06/why-are-hospitals-aggressively-pushing-formula-newborns/

Dr. Jennifer Thomas, a practicing pediatrician has written "Dr. Jen's Guide to Breastfeeding," striving to help empower women to succeed with breastfeeding in and out of the hospital. She states, "More than 20% of kids in the U.S. are being supplemented with formula before 2 days. That makes no sense. Surely, our species can do better than having one in five newborns needing supplementation to survive the first 2 days of life."


Hospitals started pushing formula years ago, even before 2014

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My daughter was born 5 weeks early in 1986. I had a c section and was on IV morphine which I had to stop because the nurses could not get my daughter to take a bottle. They begged me to nurse, but it was my preference also so was glad to deal with the pain. She never took a bottle but eventually weaned directly to a cup.

baron_von_awesome said:

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ABATTBQ11 said:

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TChaney said:

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So the homemade formula recipe using watered down evaporated milk and corn syrup probably isn't too far off from the powdered stuff.

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Except it is because evaporated milk is still cow's milk, just with much of the water removed. ALL of those other words and numbers are the important parts.

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Corn Syrup, just like god intended, lol

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It's corn syrup solids, not high fructose corn syrup. They're different because HFCS is processed into a sweetener. CSS is basically straight glucose and one of the easiest things your body can process into energy. It's.The simplest sugar there is and the building block for carbs.

aggrad02 said:

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Can't they also drink goat's milk?

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Kind of. It's not something they should be solely on. It is closer to human milk than cow's milk and more digestible, by still very high in protein and lacking in other things. It's more something you would give babies who are transitioning to solid foods and have issues with dairy than newborns.

stetson said:

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baron_von_awesome said:

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ABATTBQ11 said:

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TChaney said:

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So the homemade formula recipe using watered down evaporated milk and corn syrup probably isn't too far off from the powdered stuff.

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Except it is because evaporated milk is still cow's milk, just with much of the water removed. ALL of those other words and numbers are the important parts.

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Corn Syrup, just like god intended, lol

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I would never feed my baby corn syrup.

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Yeah man, everyone knows it's the dumbest people on earth giving their babies formula. There a very small number of women who literally can't breast feed, but the rest is just poor people and low IQ morons who get free formula from the govt.

Quote:

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Yes, actually it literally works that way. That's what boobs are literally for - to produce milk. The default position is that boobs produce milk for your newborn. The exception is that you have some issue that either keeps you from producing enough or not at all.

If that exception is now the norm in this country, then we have a major f'ing problem within female humanity in this country and a much larger issue than a supply chain breakage.

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Call me crazy, but I would guess that infant mortality is slightly better now than it was back when breastfeeding was the only option.

Squadron7 said:

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Quote:

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Yes, actually it literally works that way. That's what boobs are literally for - to produce milk. The default position is that boobs produce milk for your newborn. The exception is that you have some issue that either keeps you from producing enough or not at all.

If that exception is now the norm in this country, then we have a major f'ing problem within female humanity in this country and a much larger issue than a supply chain breakage.

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Call me crazy, but I would guess that infant mortality is slightly better now than it was back when breastfeeding was the only option.

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No doubt but a whole host of things are different these days from back then.

ABATTBQ11 said:

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Even though this has been beaten to death already...

Pretty much all the same nutrients every person needs and gets through eating food that babies can't. It is not that they need something specific that you don't, it is that their bodies cannot process solid food and they cannot tolerate nutrient or electrolyte imbalances like you can.

As an example, infants can't drink cow's milk because it contains proteins, vitamins, and minerals in the wrong balance. Their kidneys can't haven't all of the proteins and minerals in the milk, but it also lacks the necessary amounts of vitamin C and iron, among others. Giving an infant under 6 months cow's milk could cause severe illness.

As another, infants don't drink water. Drinking even small amounts can cause dangerous electrolyte imbalances. Even if they're dehydrated, they're only supposed to receive milk or formula.


It's like putting gas in your car. Your car is specifically made to run on gasoline. If you put diesel on, you're going to have a bad day. They're very similar and do many of the same things, but they are not interchangeable. Infants bodies can only run on breast milk or formula because it approximates breast milk closely enough. You can't just give them something else to give them nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.

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I was raised on goat's milk. I wonder if that is any different.

DallasAg 94 said:

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bmks270 said:

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Can we start milking moms to sell to other moms?

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You know... babies don't know one breast from another...

Nothing stops a kid from taking a pull off another baby-mommas lactating glands.

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There used to be "wet nurses". I wonder if they still exist anywhere.

YouBet said:

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Squadron7 said:

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Quote:

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Yes, actually it literally works that way. That's what boobs are literally for - to produce milk. The default position is that boobs produce milk for your newborn. The exception is that you have some issue that either keeps you from producing enough or not at all.

If that exception is now the norm in this country, then we have a major f'ing problem within female humanity in this country and a much larger issue than a supply chain breakage.

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Call me crazy, but I would guess that infant mortality is slightly better now than it was back when breastfeeding was the only option.

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No doubt but a whole host of things are different these days from back then.

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It's not really the exception. 84% of infants are breastfed at some point, with 57% being breastfed at least somewhat and 25% exclusively at 6 months (generally the age for transitioning to solids). 47% are breastfed exclusively at 3 months. A lot of formula users are likely supplementing breastfeeding, explaining the decline from exclusive breastfeeding from 3 to 6 months and the difference between the number of breastfed children and the number exclusively breastfed.

Kenneth_2003 said:

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Boo Weekley said:

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CDUB98 said:

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Wondering if OP has kids.

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No way. And neither do some of these "if only there was another way to feed your kids" smartasses. To be fair, when I was younger and dumber, I didn't know anything about breastfeeding either.

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So calling people without kids a smart-ass helps?

How's the view from your high horse?

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I am not calling people without kids smartasses. I am just assuming the dudes making some of these smartass comments (I.e. if only there was a natural way to feed your baby) do not have children, because most people who do would know the basics on how womens' physiology and hormones work when it comes to breast feeding.

ABATTBQ11 said:

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aggrad02 said:

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Can't they also drink goat's milk?

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Kind of. It's not something they should be solely on. It is closer to human milk than cow's milk and more digestible, by still very high in protein and lacking in other things. It's more something you would give babies who are transitioning to solid foods and have issues with dairy than newborns.

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Where can you even buy goats milk? I don't recall ever seeing it anywhere but admittedly have never looked for it.

Old person here. Most of my generation where I was reared we're not breastfed. We were fed cow's milk or evaporated milk with iron drops and some form of sweetener. We survived and prospered.

Boo Weekley said:

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ABATTBQ11 said:

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aggrad02 said:

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Can't they also drink goat's milk?

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Kind of. It's not something they should be solely on. It is closer to human milk than cow's milk and more digestible, by still very high in protein and lacking in other things. It's more something you would give babies who are transitioning to solid foods and have issues with dairy than newborns.

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Where can you even buy goats milk? I don't recall ever seeing it anywhere but admittedly have never looked for it.

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Farmer's markets, specialty grocery stores, amazon, probably places like Whole Foods as well.

eric76 said:

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DallasAg 94 said:

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bmks270 said:

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Can we start milking moms to sell to other moms?

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You know... babies don't know one breast from another...

Nothing stops a kid from taking a pull off another baby-mommas lactating glands.

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There used to be "wet nurses". I wonder if they still exist anywhere.

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They do in several different forms

Medical doctors and specifically Pediatricians are only moderately useful for nutritional information. Same as Veterinarians on animal nutrition. They have limited schooling on the subject. Kid gets sick, go to a Pediatrician. Want advice on nutrients for children and babies specifically, go to a Pediatric Nutritionist. I've yet to hear from one here. If one chimes in, I'll listen.

Boo Weekley said:

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ABATTBQ11 said:

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aggrad02 said:

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Can't they also drink goat's milk?

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Kind of. It's not something they should be solely on. It is closer to human milk than cow's milk and more digestible, by still very high in protein and lacking in other things. It's more something you would give babies who are transitioning to solid foods and have issues with dairy than newborns.

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Where can you even buy goats milk? I don't recall ever seeing it anywhere but admittedly have never looked for it.

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It is everywhere now, even Walmart. Whole foods and stores like that have fresh, but many store have canned and powdered. Pet stores carry raw for cats and dogs but it is not pasteurized so not for human consumption, although we had goats growing up because my dad had ulcers and it really helped. Of course it was not pasteurized either. We bought 3 half gallons today from a friend that has goats.

Tanya 93 said:

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baron_von_awesome said:

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Why Are Hospitals Aggressively Pushing Formula on Newborns? (2014)

https://www.alternet.org/2014/06/why-are-hospitals-aggressively-pushing-formula-newborns/

Dr. Jennifer Thomas, a practicing pediatrician has written "Dr. Jen's Guide to Breastfeeding," striving to help empower women to succeed with breastfeeding in and out of the hospital. She states, "More than 20% of kids in the U.S. are being supplemented with formula before 2 days. That makes no sense. Surely, our species can do better than having one in five newborns needing supplementation to survive the first 2 days of life."


Hospitals started pushing formula years ago, even before 2014

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Would you think it is okay to give a toddler no food for two days?

If the answer is no, why would it be okay for a newborn?

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Don't many mothers and babies have difficulty breastfeeding at first?

2aggiesmom said:

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Boo Weekley said:

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ABATTBQ11 said:

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aggrad02 said:

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Can't they also drink goat's milk?

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Kind of. It's not something they should be solely on. It is closer to human milk than cow's milk and more digestible, by still very high in protein and lacking in other things. It's more something you would give babies who are transitioning to solid foods and have issues with dairy than newborns.

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Where can you even buy goats milk? I don't recall ever seeing it anywhere but admittedly have never looked for it.

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It is everywhere now, even Walmart. Whole foods and stores like that have fresh, but many store have canned and powdered. Pet stores carry raw for cats and dogs but it is not pasteurized so not for human consumption, although we had goats growing up because my dad had ulcers and it really helped. Of course it was not pasteurized either. We bought 3 half gallons today from a friend that has goats.

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Good to know, thanks. Introducing cow milk to our baby girl but if she has any issues will keep that in mind. After I do some research (I'm that paranoid over protective daddy but I'm workin on it!).

Yall go ask your moms what they fed you in yr one, then report back.

Also, lets go brandon.

torrid said:

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Tanya 93 said:

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baron_von_awesome said:

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Why Are Hospitals Aggressively Pushing Formula on Newborns? (2014)

https://www.alternet.org/2014/06/why-are-hospitals-aggressively-pushing-formula-newborns/

Dr. Jennifer Thomas, a practicing pediatrician has written "Dr. Jen's Guide to Breastfeeding," striving to help empower women to succeed with breastfeeding in and out of the hospital. She states, "More than 20% of kids in the U.S. are being supplemented with formula before 2 days. That makes no sense. Surely, our species can do better than having one in five newborns needing supplementation to survive the first 2 days of life."


Hospitals started pushing formula years ago, even before 2014

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Would you think it is okay to give a toddler no food for two days?

If the answer is no, why would it be okay for a newborn?

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Don't many mothers and babies have difficulty breastfeeding at first?

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It takes a few days for the milk to come in, and colostrum comes out prior. People freak out that milk is not flowing on day 1 and go nuts pumping and supplementing. Keeping baby on the breast on demand is the best way to make milk come in. I am not saying yoi need to bf "on demand" forever but in the early days this is the way, establish the schedule/routine after you establish the breastfeeding.

Reducing birth interventions (pitocin, epidurals, etc) also helps promote breastfeeding success.