Aug 1, 2007 12:43 pm US/Eastern
NYC Health Officials Move To Get Babies Off Bottle
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Health officials have started a new campaign promoting breastfeeding over using formula.
CBS
First they moved against smoking, and then trans fats. Now, New York City health officials are taking on the bottle -- as in a baby's bottle.
On Tuesday they announced a new campaign to promote breastfeeding instead of using formula.
Baby bottles beware. City hospitals don't want you around. Instead, they want infants to eat at Mom's instead.
"We're producing it. Why not give it to the baby," new mother Mashia Nelson said.
The push toward breastfeeding means a ban on freebie formula when you leave the hospital.
"It was just the diaper bag and formula information and formula and we don't do that here anymore," Nelson said.
You won't see any posters or promotional materials for formula. They've been banned at this hospital and 10 other New York City hospitals.
The move worked for second-time mom Lisette Velez.
"With my first one I did (breastfeeding) for a week," Velez said. "With this one, I'm going to stick it out for the year for his health."
Even though some formulas use nutrients found in breast milk, city doctors say research proves the natural way is best.
"Decrease in infections, upper respiratory, ear," said Dr. David Garry of Jacobi Medical Center. "Some benefit when it comes to IQ scores."
Kim Williams-Mann breastfed her daughter for five years, and doesn't agree with the ban.
"That doesn't mean that those people have the nutrition or the education to support it," Williams-Mann said. "It should be an option."
Added new father Ari Soroken: "I don't think that is something that should be held against the mother."
Doctors also said breastfeeding helps mom's health too and burns 500 calories a day. Then there's the cost of formula. Supporters say this may be the best dining deal around.
About a quarter of women who deliver at city hospitals choose to breastfeed. City officials want that number to triple by 2010.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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