New York Times Also Covers Breastfeeding
The Public Health Council of Massachusetts, which approves regulations for the state Department of Public Health, passed the Massachusetts Perinatal Regulations in December 2005. These included a groundbreaking rule which would have banned the distribution of free diaper discharge bags sponsored by the formula industry from all birthing hospitals in the Bay State.
These "free" diaper bags contain formula and are given out by the vast majority of hospitals in the United States. This situation persists despite a vast body of medical research, including an extensive review by the prestigious Cochrane Collaborative, that demonstrates that this kind of formula distribution undermines the duration of exclusive breastfeeding. In addition, the bags represent marketing by the pharmaceutical industry in the hospital.
However, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) stepped in and pressured the PHC to reverse the ban on the formula bags, overuling the PHC in an unprecedented step which has never been taken before. However, the PHC fought back by passing the other Perinatal Regulations and including a resolution to return the diaper bag resolution to the table after "due consideration." The PHC is headed by a Romney appointee, other members are elected for specific terms and are not appointed by the current governor.
The Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition is fighting this overruling of the Public Health Council with a campaign to ban these bags. On the Coalition Web site, http://www.massbfc.org/petitionIntro.html, there is more information and a petition that interested people can sign.
New York Times Covers Benefits of Breastfeeding
Meanwhile, in other breastfeeding news, a recent New York Times article outlined the overwhelming benefits of breastfeeding, while at the same time cautioning that care must be taken not to stigmatize the few women who cannot breastfeed. The article was part of a campaign comparing failure to breastfeed after birth with risky behavior before birth, such as a pregnant woman riding a mechanical bull. To read the article, go to http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/13/health/13brea.html. Free registration is required to access the article.