Dive Brief:
- A new study that was published Monday in Pediatrics found that many U.S. hospitals have stopped giving free formula to new moms.
- In 2007, nearly three-fourths of hospitals gave new moms free formula. By 2013, less than one-third were providing free formula.
- Giveaway rates varied by location, with hospitals in the midwest and the south being more likely to hand out free formula than hospitals on either coast.
Dive Insight:
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies only be given breast milk until they're at least six months old. However, data shows that this only happens for 20% of babies.
Public health organizations have been discouraging the practice of giving away free formula because they say it dissuades nursing. It has long been established that there are health benefits to nursing, so it makes sense that hospitals wouldn't want to do anything to promote formula over breast milk.