The New York City Formula Media Lies
August 4th, 2007 by MamaBearIt’s amazing what happens when you get a really good policy change, one that will actually make a positive difference in the lives of so many babies and their mothers, and you mix it up with a bunch of sponsorship money, influential television shows, and biased health “professionals.” Well, what you get is the public believing that New York City has banned formula and baby bottles from NYC hospitals altogether.
If I were to hear that, I would be completely outraged, too! I would protest! I would demand justice! How dare Michael Bloomberg take away our womanly freedom of feeding choices! That man, he’s just a man, and what does he know about what women want or need anyway? And the government! What right does the government have to infringe upon women’s freedoms like this?! This is completely absurd!
It is absurd, because all of that is a big fat LIE.
Nobody is taking formula out of hospitals. Nobody is taking bottles out of hospitals. If a woman gives birth in a New York City hospital, she can ask for a bottle full of formula and it will be given to her. There is no infringement on anybody’s rights, and anybody that reports on this new policy change in that way is knowingly reporting inaccurate information. The official New York City press release makes the new policy abundantly clear.
Furthermore, it is not an inalienable right to have a free goodie bag full of formula when you leave the hospital. The fact that New York City is still handing out goodie bags with breastfeeding support information, and pumps to mothers who qualify, is a BONUS to the new policy change, yet another incentive to help new moms continue with breastfeeding (which, as everyone knows and even the formula companies acknowledge, is the BEST way to feed one’s baby). Nobody is saying formula-feeding is bad, only that breastfeeding is better (a well-established and scientifically proven fact, admitted even by the formula companies). Not only is breastfeeding better, it is the biological norm. In order to better set up NYC mothers to succeed at the way infants were meant to be fed, New York City hospitals are now finally taking the action all hospitals everywhere should.
There is no gestapo; there is no controversy. The controversy you are hearing about on the news is artificially created based on lies and deception and motivated primarily by money. Don’t think for a second that any powerful, influential person arguing against the formula sample ban cares about the welfare of women’s “rights” or babies. They will only do so as long as they have a stake in making some money off people believing they care.
I want to share with you a video segment from The Today Show in which a guest, Dr. (?) Nancy Snyderman shares her thoughts on the new policy change. I don’t know what world Nancy Snyderman is living in, but the alternate universe in which the government! and! men! are! making! feeding! choices! for! new! mothers! and! not! letting! them! decide! for! themselves! is not in accordance with reality.
An amazing reader of this blog and researcher, Melissa from Richmond, Virginia, Tivoed that show the day it aired and wrote down a list of all the commercials in between segments (she also located for me the link for the video below — Thank you, Melissa!). Not surprisingly, among the sponsors for The Today Show that day were: Juicy Juice Harvest Surprise, Purina Cat Chow, Purina Kitten Chow, and Lean Cuisine. Who owns these companies? Nestle, one of the biggest formula manufacturers in the world. Oh, but there’s more. There were also commercials for Ensure (made by Abbot Labs, maker of Similac infant formula), Centrum, Preparation H, and Caltrate (all three owned by Wyeth, maker of infant formula). There could be more, but if there are, they were harder to find. From just the aforementioned sponsors, the ones I was able to spot (with a little help from another blog reader and mom who wishes to remain anonymous) that’s eight commercials paid for by companies that have a stake in how well formula sells.
Based on what was discussed, the negative slant toward breastfeeding, the obvious denouncement by MSNBC’s own Chief Medical Editor (Nancy Snyderman) of the formula sample ban, and the evidence of conflict-of-interest presented by the parent companies of many of that show’s sponsors, I would NOT say The Today Show from the morning of August 2, 2007 was reporting on the NYC formula ban fairly and without bias.
My point in all this is, don’t let yourself be swayed by all the pretty window dressing. In the end, if you find controversy about any subject, look closer and you’ll find out all you need to know. The real controversy here is that most hospitals in the United States aren’t baby-friendly. Most babies born in hospitals in the United States are forcibly separated from their mothers immediately after birth and fed formula as part of the hospital routine. In order for a woman to try breastfeeding after giving birth in a hospital, she has to make special requests for her baby NOT to be fed with a bottle. How crazy is it that women have to fight to feed their babies the way they were meant to be fed and feeding them artificially is considered “normal?” How come no news anchors are protesting that?
Watch the formula segment on The Today Show yourself (there’s a random commercial at the beginning; wait it out and you’ll get to see the segment). Share your thoughts below.
August 5th, 2007 at 12:54 am
Right on!
I only wish more people would watch television with a more critical eye. The eternal question of “Where’s the money coming from?” tells you so much more.
August 5th, 2007 at 8:00 am
[…] by Rachel on August 5th, 2007 MamaBear at the International Breastfeeding Symbol blog has a post taking on the uproar over changes in New York City Hospitals’ new policy of no […]
August 5th, 2007 at 8:23 am
What a brilliant entry! I was infuriated watching the coverage this week. I don’t think I heard anywhere that what NYC has done is a good thing. I wasn’t surprised when the coverage was inflammatory, but I was shocked when I heard outright lies on news programs. Looking at the advertisers explains it all. Sad. I hope others can see through it too.
I am most disappointed in Dr. Nancy Snyderman. She’s a doctor!
August 5th, 2007 at 8:31 am
Great article! Looking at the above NY hospital scenario from abroad, it seems like there is a great deal of media-driven hysteria over this issue, which at the end of the day is more about the international companies’ right to free advertising at source than a woman’s right to choose how to feed her baby.
The government is not taking away a woman’s right to feed her baby however she wants, they’re removing the right of formula companies to use maternity hospitals as a starting point for pushing their products as the “normal” way to feed babies.
I’m over in Ireland where our hospitals don’t give out goodie bags but they do have free formula available for the taking. They’re not allowed advertise it, but it’s there! Our breastfeeding rates are also very low here, so I think it’s great that the NY hospitals are giving out the breastfeeding bags, the more we make breastfeeding seem like the “normal” way to feed our babies, the more informed choices women can make. Those little onesies they’re given out sound very cute!
August 5th, 2007 at 9:04 am
Leave it to the media to stir up controversy… I think they do it because conflict generates more interest, and higher ratings for them. Too bad people let themselves get all worked up emotionally over the “news” reports before they have a chance to look into the real facts. The media thrives on the ignorance and quick-to-be-offended attitude of many people.
August 5th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
Wow, the media really screwed up this one. I don’t think formula samples should be given at any hospital, period. If you’re given a sample of formula, it’s like telling a new mom that she can’t successfully exclusively breatfeed. When I told the hospital where I gave birth that I didn’t want any formula the nurse told me to “take it anyway because you never know if you will have enough milk”. That does nothing for a new mom’s confidence. I definately think NYC’s got it right.
August 6th, 2007 at 9:24 am
You rock! Thank you for such a thoughtfully put together site and commentary. I am appalled at formula manufacturers and I will not take up any more space on this blog.
August 7th, 2007 at 1:20 pm
Excellent article, and so true! It’s not like anybody is holding babies to a new mother’s breast and forcing the mother to allow the baby to latch on and eat! The hospital will certainly allow you to give formula to babies, it’s not going to make the babies starve until you leave the hospital!
August 7th, 2007 at 9:40 pm
I was appalled by this story, and wrote an email to the Today Show. I’d like to share:
To Meredith Vieira, Dr. Nancy Snyderman, and the Today Show Editors
I’m writing to express my disappointment regarding your recent segment on the New York hospital formula “ban.” Your report states that New York has banned the “use and promotion of baby formula.” While it is true that the promotion of formula has been banned, the use certainly has not. It is clearly stated in the NYC HHC press release that hospitals “will continue to make formula available for women who request it or are unable to breastfeed for medical reasons.” Formula has not been “stripped” from the hospitals, it is available for mothers who ask for it.
It is truly a disservice to your viewers to create negative sensationalism regarding breastfeeding. Mothers are inundated with endless formula advertisements, claiming that “Breast is Best,” which misses the point entirely. Breastmilk is our biological norm, and claiming that it is “best” implies that the other alternatives (formula) are sufficient. However, there are countless studies that prove that formula is actually creating health problems that breastmilk prevents.
There is a profit to be made from the sale of formula. No one makes money off of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding isn’t as difficult as it is portrayed if mothers have the proper support, which is what this legislation is trying to provide. By providing lactation consultants, personal breast pumps for eligible moms with no insurance coverage, and ongoing counseling and support groups for breastfeeding mothers, the NYC hospitals are providing so much more than a free can or two of formula! (Which, again, is available if the mother asks for it!)
It would behoove the rest of the country to adopt legislation similar to New York City’s ban of the promotion (i.e. advertising) of formula, and the encouragement of breastfeeding. We Americans are due for a paradigm shift regarding infant nutrition. Breastfeeding should not only be promoted in hospitals (the very place we depend on for health and healing!), but also supported in the workplace and in all public places. There is evidence that working mothers who breastfeed miss fewer work days due family illness. There is no disgrace in providing proper nutrition for our children.
Furthermore, the quick racist comment by Dr. Nancy Snyderman at the end of the clip was certainly inappropriate and unnecessary. I’m sure the “colored” population in NYC wants to provide proper nourishment for their children as much as anyone else does.
Respectfully,
Kristen K
August 7th, 2007 at 10:14 pm
Kristen,
What a fantastic letter! Thanks for sharing!
August 8th, 2007 at 6:12 am
Ditto! Kudos! Still b/f at 20 months and will do so as long as we can! BRAVO for thoughtful, intelligent, civic minded women like you ladies! Sending support from TX! - K
August 9th, 2007 at 9:35 am
BRILLIANT post. Just brilliant. I’m still BF twins at 13 months and plan to keep going until they want to stop.
August 9th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
What does being a “woman of color” or “low income” have to do with providing the healthiest choice for your child in terms of nourishment? Shouldn’t they be glad that “those women” are being given even more support under the new situation to be sure that *every* mom is making an educated choice regarding feeding for their child, not just the “rich white” women? It doesn’t matter what you look like or your income…. breastfeeding is healthier than formula and for a practice of health to say we’re only going to openly promote what is healthiest, what is the issue? It’s like if a hospital’s default was to give McD’s because it’s food rather than something more nutritious because it’s food too and shouldn’t everyone have the option. Sure you can request someone to go get you something from the foodcourt in the hospital or something, but it shouldn’t be the first thing discussed or offered.
GAHHHH. I hate inflammatory right wing television.
August 11th, 2007 at 8:20 am
Thanks for your great post and your critical eye for the insidious work of Nestle and others. It’s amazing the lengths these companies will go to in order to wrestle our money out of our hands!
As the daughter, wife and mother of doctors (my daughter is a pediatric resident enthusiastically in favor of breast feeding) and a woman who breastfed all three of my now grown children, I applaud NYC hospitals for their courageous decision to ban formula samples. These free samples from hospital nurseries send a strong message of discouraging breastfeeding in favor of an expensive, less healthy alternative that only serves the bottom line of the formula companies.
This long-standing program is just another example of how we have unwittingly let corporate America direct our healthcare. Let’s take medicine back. Let’s put patients above profits! Kudos to the NYC hospital system — now let’s see who else is brave enough to follow!
We need to each write our local hospitals, pediatricians and family doctors. We, women have stood silent for too long!
August 14th, 2007 at 7:03 am
hmmm…..though disheartening to see an effort so truly worthwhile and beneficial ignorantly twisted into such controversy and chaos, it may certainly do just OPPOSITE of what the media and advertising are attempting to achieve….CREATE INTEREST IN BREASTFEEDING! I am personally annoyed when i read/hear statements about breastfeeding being better, about breastfeeding raising a childs intelligence, about breastfeeding increasing a childs health and immunity. Truth be told……… it’s not that breastfeeding is “better”, formula is inferior! breastfeeding doesn’t raise a child’s intelligence, it develops it to a level it SHOULD be at, CAN YOU IMAGINE ALL THE CONTROVERSY IF SOMEONE ACTUALLY STATED THE FACT THAT FORMULA “DUMBS DOWN” YOUR KID!?!?!? That a formula fed child will not reach his/her full physical and mental ability that nature intended, but will be in turn “stunted”?!?!? A breastfed child doesn’t just “exceed” some great health and immunity standard….he IS the standard and those children who have unfortunately not been supplied the perfect sweet nectar of their mommas breast are lacking and unbeknownest to societys blind eyes never reach their fully intended best. the NYC hospital system needs to not only be applauded for their mindset and intention but replicated in hospitals throughout our country. A standing ovation to the NYC hospital system!
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