UK Hospital to charge mothers of newborn babies for formula milk to save money

[Ophelia]

I wasn't sure where to put this but Lactivism seems like the best place

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ave-money.html

What do you think?

[Onemagicmummy]

i think its a good idea. wheni had DS2 i was sat ther eknackered, breastfeeding a tiny baby. in comes a new mum, tiny baby, tried to latch once, gave it less than 10 mins and asked for formula, the MW practicaly ran to teh cupboard and got her a bottle an left her too it. i wqas disgusted and shocked. the MW never offered any other advice or help.

if there was a charge for the milk the mum may have rethought her decisions and tried BFing again.

i do think that if there is going to be a charge for formula then maybe they hospital should have some breastfeeding councilors(even volunteers if cost is a worry) to help the mums who give a 2nd thought to get bfing established. also correct teaching of MW/nurses about colostrum and big babies being able to breastfeed and all that jazz

in saying that thought nowadays most mums leave after less than 48 hours or so. so they may jsut stump up the cash then get out as soon as possible.

Kiz

[HomeBirthMommy]

I think it's a good idea, but I don't like that families are not allowed to bring in formula if they choose to FF.
It will be interesting to see what happens with this...

[calpurnia]

That's such a Daily Mail way to report it, all "NHS cuts to save money! OMGZ!"

In the hospital I gave birth in, you have to bring in your own formula if you chose to formula feed, unless it's medically necessary for you to do so. It's the same in the hospital where my aunt is breastfeeding counsellor, I would imagine there are quite a few places that do it. Since the hospital in the story is working towards B F Status I imagine they do have breastfeeding counsellors available... it's the same area as thisadvertising campaign.

£30,000 a year (projected saving) is the cost of a midwife.

[calpurnia]

nak

altho i have heard it suggested that it's not the best move to encourage bfing, because mothers have to make the choice beforehand whether they want to get in formula or whether they will breastfeed, whereas if it doesn't matter either way & you can just make up your mind on the ward, you might put the baby to the breast & decide it's not such a bad idea after all...

[Claire and Boys]

I completely applaud this move. the NHS is cash strapped as it is, why should it be paying for formula when mothers don't want to breastfeed? now if it's needed for medical reasons fair enough. I don't think it will actually convince people to breastfeed, but I think it's money that should be saved and is very much needed.

The hospital I delivered both my boys at has a similar initiative. If you want to FF, you have to bring your own milk. I think it's only right. I'm sure lots of mothers will be up in arms though.

[guestmama9920]

they just used 15 BILLION in EXTRA money to help the economy from NHS funds, so ummmm it's a good idea but to save money?

Also it's 10 quid maybe, do you think it would stop a mother from FF?

Oh I didn't get any food and I spent the night, not even toast. I saw them saying it was like charging for food, what food??

[ramama]

I like it. Perhaps the mere thought of having to buy their bottles and formula out of a vending machine will give enough families pause, and a second try at BFing.

[Ruthla]

I don't like the idea of the bottles and formula only being available in 10-packs. That might discourage women from even trying to BF if somebody (say, DP or a meddling grandma) buys the formula, because then they'll feel like they're wasting money if they don't use it. And what happens if they buy a 10-pack of one formula and the baby doesn't tolerate it? Can they refund the other 9 bottles or exchange them for another type of formula?

And they're still giving "the first feed" for free. So there's still the opportunity for a pushy nurse to discourage BFing in the first few hours and cause nipple confusion.

I like the underlying concept- that BF is normal and expected and if you want to use formula it's going to be more expensive and a lot less convenient- but I don't think this policy is very well thought out. IMO, they should continue to provide the formula, one bottle at a time, but tack on the formula price to the hospital bill (or give them a bill at the end of the stay if there isnt' any hospital bill in the UK.) Only charge them for the formula actually used (and maybe give them the option of buying a few extras to bring home with them.)

[Britishmum]

Originally Posted by ramama

I like it. Perhaps the mere thought of having to buy their bottles and formula out of a vending machine will give enough families pause, and a second try at BFing.

Yep. I'd be tempted to do a little math and post a chart on the vending machine, showing new parents how much it will cost them to FF their newborn for a year. Then next to it, some great literature on breastfeeding, the free and superior alternative.

[angelpie545]

I'm iffy about it. I think that families who wish to formula feed should be given a choice to either bring in their own formula or purchase some from the hospital. I don't think fees should apply to families for whom formula feeding is a medical necessity. Also, I don't think adoptive families should have to pay for formula while their baby is in the hospital.

[Equuskia]

Originally Posted by angelpie545

I'm iffy about it. I think that families who wish to formula feed should be given a choice to either bring in their own formula or purchase some from the hospital. I don't think fees should apply to families for whom formula feeding is a medical necessity. Also, I don't think adoptive families should have to pay for formula while their baby is in the hospital.

The article was clear that babies with medical needs would NOT be charged for formula.

John Lindars, a director at Pennine Acute Hospitals, said: 'We stress that babies with medical requirements will have feeds given free. The trust has worked hard to increase numbers who breastfeed by promoting its benefits.'

[guestmama9920]

Originally Posted by angelpie545

I'm iffy about it. I think that families who wish to formula feed should be given a choice to either bring in their own formula or purchase some from the hospital. I don't think fees should apply to families for whom formula feeding is a medical necessity. Also, I don't think adoptive families should have to pay for formula while their baby is in the hospital.

its 5 quid for 10 bottles, enough for a normal stay. No doubt the family already bought tins,bottles, sterliser, etc.

What is 5 extra pounds???

Heaven knows most Mums here get a new "hospital" bag, cot bumper sets, 500 quid prams, loads of unneeded baby items

If families can't afford the 5 quid extra maybe the should BF?

[Annalisa84]

Originally Posted by Britishmama

its 5 quid for 10 bottles, enough for a normal stay. No doubt the family already bought tins,bottles, sterliser, etc.

What is 5 extra pounds???

Heaven knows most Mums here get a new "hospital" bag, cot bumper sets, 500 quid prams, loads of unneeded baby items

If families can't afford the 5 quid extra maybe the should BF?

That was my thought, too...and then "How many of these mums really can't afford it and are just making excuses for the sake of whinging?"

Can you tell I live in an area with loads of mums like that?

[guestmama9920]

Originally Posted by Annalisa84

That was my thought, too...and then "How many of these mums really can't afford it and are just making excuses for the sake of whinging?"

Can you tell I live in an area with loads of mums like that?

here even the midwives are anti BF

You pay more than that to park

Must make the US mamas laugh, birth isn't usually free in the USA and 8 dollars for 10 ready made feeds is cheap there too.

[Annalisa84]

Originally Posted by Britishmama

here even the midwives are anti BF

You pay more than that to park

Must make the US mamas laugh, birth isn't usually free in the USA and 8 dollars for 10 ready made feeds is cheap there too.

It's strange, isn't it, the anti-breastfeeding sentiment? They didn't mention it at Libby's birth but it was kind of expected cos they handed off the baby milk. I assumed til I started talking to other mums that it was because of my age (I was 19 at the time), but it's just commonplace. Meanwhile at my 2nd daughter's birth my then-MIL handed me the baby and said "If you weren't planning on nursing you are now"

[guestmama9920]

The mw didnt even touch my 2nd I think that was a clue I would BF

I would just like a nice comment now and then, I'm sick of them asking about how many "top ups" she gets and crap

sorry we went OT

[calpurnia]

The midwives I've encountered have all been supportive of breastfeeding (slightly OT - at hospital every woman on my ward was breastfeeding & we were encouraged to have the baby in bed with us), it's the health visitors that are more of a mixed bunch.

[Claire and Boys]

Originally Posted by calpurnia

The midwives I've encountered have all been supportive of breastfeeding (slightly OT - at hospital every woman on my ward was breastfeeding & we were encouraged to have the baby in bed with us), it's the health visitors that are more of a mixed bunch.

I had the same experience.

And the pediatricians in the hospital were just appalling. So obvious that they had zero breastfeeding knowledge, but that didn't stop them passing judgements and trying to sabotage my efforts. Grrrrrrrrrr...

The comments to that article are making my head spin!!

[pumpkinhead]

Honestly, I don't think this is the way to go. I think that hospitals should give up their formula contracts period. It's fine to have a pharmacy on hand so that if an infant needs formula it's there to be purchased and provided, but there is just no need for the volume of free formula provided through formula contracts to be there.