Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative?
Tracy Cramer
news:r46jpts0efln5v6vj...@4ax.com...
> Does this mean that moms who *don't* intend to BF are forced to during
> their hospital stay?
>
> Just curious.
LOL! No, although that might be a fine idea. I'm kidding!
It just means that there's no free formula handed out. If ya want formula,
it's BYOF and BYOB.
Tracy
Vicki S-F
> Jessica Lavarnway <jlava...@mediaone.net> wrote in message
> news:r46jpts0efln5v6vj...@4ax.com...
> > Does this mean that moms who *don't* intend to BF are forced to
> > during their hospital stay?
Tracy Cramer <tDOcra...@SPAMtoad.MEnet> wrote:
> It just means that there's no free formula handed out. If ya
> want formula, it's BYOF and BYOB.
The hospital where my son was born was striving to become an officially
"baby-friendly" hospital. I didn't use any formula, but I did talk to
the lactation cosultants about the initiative, and I've read about it
here as well. Which is to say that my knowledge is hardly absolute,
but I really don't think that formula feeding parents are expected to
bring bottles and formula to a baby-friendly hospital when they arrive
for a birth! I think the hospital gives them bottles and formula just
like it gives mothers food and shampoo and sanitary napkins. Then it
all gets billed later, I expect. But perhaps I misunderstand your
abbreviation? Did you mean "buy your own" when I thought you meant
"bring your own"?
Sincerely,
---
--- vicki in columbus, indiana
ima shel raziel, born 11/16/99 and breastfed for almost 22 months.
(Yes, I think he and I have mutually weaned.)
Mary Gordon
baby friendly under the WHO rules. When you read the list, it seems
pretty simple and easy to accomplish but the fact that so few
hospitals manage to make the bar is quite telling.
http://www.mypage.onemain.com/bfusa/
Mary G.
Tracy Cramer
news:080920010145544912%rev...@alumnae.mtholyoke.edu...
> The hospital where my son was born was striving to become an officially
> "baby-friendly" hospital. I didn't use any formula, but I did talk to
> the lactation cosultants about the initiative, and I've read about it
> here as well. Which is to say that my knowledge is hardly absolute,
> but I really don't think that formula feeding parents are expected to
> bring bottles and formula to a baby-friendly hospital when they arrive
> for a birth! I think the hospital gives them bottles and formula just
> like it gives mothers food and shampoo and sanitary napkins. Then it
> all gets billed later, I expect. But perhaps I misunderstand your
> abbreviation? Did you mean "buy your own" when I thought you meant
> "bring your own"?
I'm actually not sure, Vicki. I was under the impression that BFHs did not
give out formula, but according to the FAQ at the website Mary so kindly
posted, the hospitals must buy formula just like other supplies. Now, we
don't know whether they're going to keep a whole bunch on hand for moms who
go directly to formula -- and then charge them (wouldn't you love to see
that price, when a plain acetaminophen costs $15?) -- or whether the formula
that they'll have on hand is for babies that *need* it, such as possibly any
with galactosemia or whatever, since the one step is to give babies nothing
but breastmilk unless medically indicated.
I was surprised to see how much it costs to get the assessment and the
yearly fee. I guess I wouldn't expect it to be free, I can see this as a
roadblock for hospital administrators who are only worried about the bottom
line.
Tracy
sue
Tracy Cramer wrote:
>
>
> I'm actually not sure, Vicki. I was under the impression that BFHs did not
> give out formula, but according to the FAQ at the website Mary so kindly
> posted, the hospitals must buy formula just like other supplies.
They would absolutely have to have formula on hand. What if something
happens to the mother and she cannot breastfeed? Are you saying that
they would send the father out to the store for formula supplies?
madolyn
sue <s...@nospam.com> wrote in message news:3B9A5041...@nospam.com...
No, the hospital would definitely have a supply of formula. However, IIRC,
most hospitals get their formula free from the manufacturers. The companies
have a vested interested in doing this, because a very high percentage of
parents use whatever formula that was first introduced to them (barring any
allergies, etc.).
The Baby-Friendly hospitals have to purchase their own supply of formula and
cannot accept any free formula or "goodies" (e.g., diaper bags, note pads,
calendars, pens, mugs, etc.) from the formula companies. I don't know if
they directly pass the cost of formula onto the patient.
-- Madolyn (mama of Amelia, 11/24/99)
Tracey
certified' and has since earned that distinction. Babies roomed in with Mom
(but you did have the option to put them in teh nursery if you wanted), if
you were breastfeeding, they would NOT give baby formula, sugar water or a
pacifier, and EVERY maternnity nurse was certified as a Lactation
consultant. They did not give you coupons, free samples of formula or
bottles or the little diaper bags to take home (even to the Moms who were
using formula). Our 'freebies' that we got when we left were a mini pack of
3 diapers, some wipes and a smoke detector. Another thing that they did
(and I don't know if it had to do with the baby friendly thing or not) is
that they did not use disposable diapers in the hospital --they had cloth.
Tracey in CT
"Jessica Lavarnway" <jlava...@mediaone.net> wrote in message
news:r46jpts0efln5v6vj...@4ax.com...
> Does this mean that moms who *don't* intend to BF are forced to during
> their hospital stay?
>
> Just curious.
>
> Jess
>
>
Tracy Cramer
Yes, I agree that they would have to have formula on hand for those cases in
which breastfeeding is not possible for medical reasons. Suppose, oh, I
don't know, a mother's had a br. reduct**n and just can't breastfeed. My
best guess would be that the hospital would provide the formula during the
hospital stay, but the parents would be billed for it, as they are billed
for other supplies, like pads, medications, diapers, the baby thermometer,
etc.
I don't think anywhere in my post I indicated that the hospital would send
the father out to the store for supplies, but, quite frankly, I don't think
it's a bad idea in situations where there's no medical reason for the mom
not to breastfeed. I mean, really, it's not like we expect the hospital to
provide a going-home outfit (another baby supply), so why not expect the
parents to supply the formula if they are making the choice to use it rather
than just breastfeed in the hospital?
Another example would be the hospitals that no longer supply pads for women
for post-partum. You've got to bring your own. I don't see the formula issue
as being much different, and if more parents had to consciously *think*
about having the formula on hand before they go to the hospital, maybe the
breastfeeding rates, at least in the hospital, would go up.
Tracy
Charlotte Millington
: Yes, I agree that they would have to have formula on hand for those cases in
: which breastfeeding is not possible for medical reasons. Suppose, oh, I
: don't know, a mother's had a br. reduct**n and just can't breastfeed. My
: best guess would be that the hospital would provide the formula during the
: hospital stay, but the parents would be billed for it, as they are billed
: for other supplies, like pads, medications, diapers, the baby thermometer,
: etc.
I suspect what happens is pretty much the way things happen here.
You know in advance that you are going to bleed (or pass lochia, if you
prefer) after you have a baby, you know that your baby will pee and poop
(or pass meconium), and in some cases, you know you are going to use
formula.
Our local hospital requests that you bring in your own pads, your own
underwear, your own diapers, and your own formula. If you showed up
unprepared, they do have all of these supplies on hand and they will give
you what you need. However, they tell you well in advance to come
prepared with the basics. Here in Canada, we don't receive a bill after
our hospital stay, it just gets billed to the tax payers, so bringing
formula or not bringing formula is moot when it comes time to figure out
the bills. FWIW, the local hospital has Baby-Friendly status.
The fact that it also has the highest c-section rate in Canada (backed by
Stats Can) tells me that we now need to worry about its "Mother Friendly"
status.
: I don't think anywhere in my post I indicated that the hospital would send
: the father out to the store for supplies, but, quite frankly, I don't think
: it's a bad idea in situations where there's no medical reason for the mom
: not to breastfeed. I mean, really, it's not like we expect the hospital to
: provide a going-home outfit (another baby supply), so why not expect the
: parents to supply the formula if they are making the choice to use it rather
: than just breastfeed in the hospital?
I have to agree. If you are not going to breastfeed, it's not like the
hospital reduces the amount of food you eat, so it all evens out in the
end. I believe parents who formula feed need to supply their own food,
especially since we all know that one formula does not fit all.
I feel bad that some parents are going to find out they can't breastfeed
and will then spend their postpartum stay trying out formulas, but
regardless of why someone formula feeds, they still need to buy it.
--
******* Charlotte Millington *******
Birth Doula, Prenatal Instructor, Birth Counsellor
Pregnancy Photographer
http://www.birth.bc.ca/birth/prenatal.htm
Director, Birth Counselling Skills
http://www.birth.bc.ca
Jill
> give out formula, but according to the FAQ at the website Mary so kindly
> posted, the hospitals must buy formula just like other supplies. Now, we
> don't know whether they're going to keep a whole bunch on hand for moms
who
> go directly to formula -- and then charge them (wouldn't you love to see
> Tracy
Our hospital gives a sheet about the cost of delivering vaginally and/or
cesarean, the pre/post natal visits and the circumcision charge. Any drugs
you might have during labor, or any acetaminophen or ibuprophin is part of
the "all inclusive" package. Just like a resort, LOL.
~ Jill
Jill
> They would absolutely have to have formula on hand. What if something
> happens to the mother and she cannot breastfeed? Are you saying that
> they would send the father out to the store for formula supplies?
You know what they did to my poor husband, who didn't leave my side for the
whole thing? He had to get his own food. Every other hospital I've visited
with a new mother delivers food to the father as well.
~ Jill
Jill
"madolyn" <mad...@my-deja.com> wrote in message
news:9ndpha$46v$1...@bob.news.rcn.net...
> The Baby-Friendly hospitals have to purchase their own supply of formula
and
> cannot accept any free formula or "goodies" (e.g., diaper bags, note pads,
> calendars, pens, mugs, etc.) from the formula companies. I don't know if
> they directly pass the cost of formula onto the patient.
>
> -- Madolyn (mama of Amelia, 11/24/99)
>
breastfeed. My sisters hospital must be Baby-Friendly, she got nothing.
~ Jill
Jill
"Tracy Cramer" <tDOcra...@SPAMtoad.MEnet> wrote in message
news:H1Bm7.613$ue1.2...@newsfeed.slurp.net.
<snip>
> Another example would be the hospitals that no longer supply pads for
women
> Tracy
>
Where do you live? The hospitals in Wisconsin provide everything the mother
needs for after delivery.
~ Jill
Jill
"Charlotte Millington" <ye...@vtn1.victoria.tc.ca> wrote in message
news:3b9b...@news.victoria.tc.ca...
> You know in advance that you are going to bleed (or pass lochia, if you
> prefer) after you have a baby, you know that your baby will pee and poop
> (or pass meconium), and in some cases, you know you are going to use
> formula.
True, if I made the decision to formula feed, I would pack it in the
hospital bag. Plus, then I'd have my preferred brand.
To me, breast feeding immediately in the hospital was fantastic. My little
boy caught right on.
> Our local hospital requests that you bring in your own pads, your own
> underwear, your own diapers, and your own formula. If you showed up
> unprepared, they do have all of these supplies on hand and they will give
> you what you need.
I thought your own underwear was a given. It never occoured to me to not
bring underwear. My hospital does have these bizzare mesh underwaer that
they ask you to wear at first.
They had (huge, monster sized) pads for mom and a big pack of Pampers for
baby, no extra charge.
~ Jill
Jill
"Tracey " <Pep...@prodigy.net> wrote in message
news:5vym7.2413$JS3.16...@newssvr17.news.prodigy.com...
> I delivered my DD at a hospital that was working on becoming 'baby
friendly
> certified' and has since earned that distinction. Babies roomed in with
Mom
> (but you did have the option to put them in teh nursery if you wanted), if
> you were breastfeeding, they would NOT give baby formula, sugar water or a
> pacifier, and EVERY maternnity nurse was certified as a Lactation
> consultant. They did not give you coupons, free samples of formula or
> bottles or the little diaper bags to take home (even to the Moms who were
> using formula). Our 'freebies' that we got when we left were a mini pack
of
> 3 diapers, some wipes and a smoke detector. Another thing that they did
> (and I don't know if it had to do with the baby friendly thing or not) is
> that they did not use disposable diapers in the hospital --they had cloth.
> Tracey in CT
Babies room in here too. Eric was born at 3:11am, and I had been awake for
over 24 hours, so they took him away after I ate at about 4am. They brought
him back at 7:30am.
I think the diapers, wipes and smoke detector are all great gifts!
~ Jill
Tracy Cramer
news:tpn1v7e...@corp.supernews.com...
> Where do you live? The hospitals in Wisconsin provide everything the
mother
> needs for after delivery.
Actually, at all 4 hospitals the kids were born at, I did get pads, but I've
heard of hospitals that do not provide them. Maybe someone else has actually
delivered at one of them?
Tracy
Tracy Cramer
news:3b9b...@news.victoria.tc.ca...
> underwear, your own diapers, and your own formula. If you showed up
> unprepared, they do have all of these supplies on hand and they will give
> you what you need. However, they tell you well in advance to come
> prepared with the basics. Here in Canada, we don't receive a bill after
> our hospital stay, it just gets billed to the tax payers, so bringing
> formula or not bringing formula is moot when it comes time to figure out
> the bills. FWIW, the local hospital has Baby-Friendly status.
I wish I could see what those bills are and how much that formula costs. It
would be interesting.
> The fact that it also has the highest c-section rate in Canada (backed by
> Stats Can) tells me that we now need to worry about its "Mother Friendly"
> status.
That is really scary.
> I have to agree. If you are not going to breastfeed, it's not like the
> hospital reduces the amount of food you eat, so it all evens out in the
> end. I believe parents who formula feed need to supply their own food,
> especially since we all know that one formula does not fit all.
Actually, this is a major gripe that I have anyway. I *never* had enough
food in the hospital and always had to have stuff "delivered." Rather than
reduce the amount of food a formula-feeding mother gets, they should double
the amount a breastfeeding mom gets.
> I feel bad that some parents are going to find out they can't breastfeed
> and will then spend their postpartum stay trying out formulas, but
> regardless of why someone formula feeds, they still need to buy it.
Actually, a lot of babies don't tolerate formula in the hospital because
their stomachs are not designed to take on that much food in the first
couple of days. The biological norm is colostrum for the first day or three
or five, in small quantities to get that new digestive system going less
harshly than formula. IMO, mothers should breastfeed in the hospital simply
to introduce their children to "real food" gradually. Of course, not to
mention the fact that the colostrum will go along and coat the children's
intestines, making cow's milk sensitivities a little less likely even if the
kids are given formula after, say, 3 days.
Tracy
Tracy Cramer
> Our hospital gives a sheet about the cost of delivering vaginally and/or
> cesarean, the pre/post natal visits and the circumcision charge. Any
drugs
> you might have during labor, or any acetaminophen or ibuprophin is part of
> the "all inclusive" package. Just like a resort, LOL.
You're still going to pay for the formula if the hospital has to buy it. It
will just be added into that all-inclusive charge.
This is precisely the reason why you should get an itemized bill from the
hospital after your delivery. If you can go through and say, "take off this
charge for the drugs because I didn't take anything" or whatever, your bill
will go down (if you have a co-pay/percentage for your insurance) and the
insurance company will really like you.
Tracy
Kavvy
Tracy Cramer wrote in message ...
That's weird - kind of like having to bring you own bandages if you went in
for surgery or something. Or your own Tylenol.
Nikki
Mama to Hunter 4/26/99 and Luke 4/19/01
Charlotte Millington
: Jill <jk...@charter.net> wrote in message
: news:tpn1v7e...@corp.supernews.com...
: > Where do you live? The hospitals in Wisconsin provide everything the
: mother
: > needs for after delivery.
: Actually, at all 4 hospitals the kids were born at, I did get pads, but I've
: heard of hospitals that do not provide them. Maybe someone else has actually
: delivered at one of them?
Yep.
I'm also a doula in one.
Charlotte Millington
: > I have to agree. If you are not going to breastfeed, it's not like the
: > hospital reduces the amount of food you eat, so it all evens out in the
: > end. I believe parents who formula feed need to supply their own food,
: > especially since we all know that one formula does not fit all.
: Actually, this is a major gripe that I have anyway. I *never* had enough
: food in the hospital and always had to have stuff "delivered." Rather than
: reduce the amount of food a formula-feeding mother gets, they should double
: the amount a breastfeeding mom gets.
I realise I phrased this very badly, but I'm not sure that it will change
the tone of your post or the content.
I don't actually mean that ff-feeding moms should bring their own food. I
mean that they should bring their baby's food, namely the formula.
As for the hospital quantity of food, I was *always* hungry in the
hospital. I needed food and had friends bring it to me. For my clients
in hospital, I bring them fruit because fresh fruit seems in short supply.
Making milk takes calories.
Friederike Technau
hospital (it has the badge now, but is one of the baby friendliest
hospitals in Germany). But they still offered me a bottle of tea to
give it to him, as I asked for help _2 times_ during our first night.
I still think that htey should have helped me more. He didn't latch on
and we were both too tired (sp?) from a looooong delivery to get
things going on our own. I left after that night and my midwife helped
us to get things going.
My now 2 mo was a home birth, so no need for a baby friendly hospital
;-))
--
"... ein Geschlecht erfinderischer Zwerge, die fuer alles gemietet werden
koennen." - Bertolt Brecht - Das Leben des Gallilei
MariMc25
>food in the hospital and always had to have stuff "delivered." Rather than
>reduce the amount of food a formula-feeding mother gets, they should double
>the amount a breastfeeding mom gets.
>
When I had my dd last year by c-section, I wasn't allowed anything to eat at
all for the first day (had her around 9 a.m--it was planned so my last meal was
around 7 the night before). The next day, they couldn't hear bowel sounds, so
I could only get liquids. I finally got to eat the next morning, I believe. I
was soooo hungry it was unbelievable. I was trying to walk around, and really
wasn't in much pain but I was feeling lightheaded from lack of food.
Mary
Mary
Information on hereditary
spherocytosis--http://www.angelfire.com/vi/maggie/spherocytosis.html
Maggie's Page--http://www.angelfire.com/vi/maggie/
Ariannah
>Actually, this is a major gripe that I have anyway. I *never* had enough
>food in the hospital and always had to have stuff "delivered." Rather than
>reduce the amount of food a formula-feeding mother gets, they should double
>the amount a breastfeeding mom gets.
And if one is a vegetarian, inform some of the clueless staff that
vegetarians who breastfeed need something a little more substantial than
a few sliced veggies and a pretty parsley garnish.
Luckily, I had an experience recently that showed me that the kitchen
staff and dietician's knowledge of vegetarian diets have greatly improved
since my last baby was born.
:)
Cheers
Ariannah
due in 30 days
Cheryl S.
> You know what they did to my poor husband, who didn't leave my side for the
> whole thing? He had to get his own food. Every other hospital I've visited
> with a new mother delivers food to the father as well.
>
> ~ Jill
My DH wasn't served food at the hospital we went to either. Lucky him!
;-)
--
Cheryl S.
mom to Julie 3/19/01
"I can't complain, but sometimes I still do...life's been good to me so
far." - Joe Walsh
Kavvy
Cheryl S. wrote in message <3B9CE46A...@address.com>...
>Jill wrote:
>> You know what they did to my poor husband, who didn't leave my side for
the
>> whole thing? He had to get his own food. Every other hospital I've
visited
>> with a new mother delivers food to the father as well.
>>
>> ~ Jill
>
>My DH wasn't served food at the hospital we went to either. Lucky him!
>;-)
>--
My DH was *more then happy* to escape for a while to go get some food. He
was going stir crazy in the room. I had him and my aunt there and they took
turns going when I was laboring (not when it was *serious*) and then it was
no big deal for him to come and go a little after the baby was born. Both
hospitals I used had drinks and some small snacks available for support
people 24 hours a day for between meals or when mom was laboring and they
didn't want to leave for long.
Jill
It
> will just be added into that all-inclusive charge.
>
> This is precisely the reason why you should get an itemized bill from the
> hospital after your delivery. If you can go through and say, "take off
this
> charge for the drugs because I didn't take anything" or whatever, your
bill
> will go down (if you have a co-pay/percentage for your insurance) and the
> insurance company will really like you.
>
> Tracy
True, I'm sure their charge covers medications and any of the optionals I
may or may not use. I'm not concerned about what they cahrge me because I
have the luxury of an insurance company that will pay 100% of all expences
related to pregnancy/childbirth. If I had to pay out of pocket, I'd sure as
heck get a list
~ Jill
Jill
breastfeed. Something about her breasts being very underdeveloped. Not
small, but the milk ducts weren't functional or something.
~ Jill
HollyLewis
>all for the first day (had her around 9 a.m--it was planned so my last meal
>was
>around 7 the night before). The next day, they couldn't hear bowel sounds,
>so
>I could only get liquids. I finally got to eat the next morning, I believe.
>I
>was soooo hungry it was unbelievable. I was trying to walk around, and
>really
>wasn't in much pain but I was feeling lightheaded from lack of food.
>
>Mary
I had a C-section and was on "liquid" diet for the first couple days too, but I
really wasn't hungry!
I do remember how bizarre the menu was. They served me some sort of very salty
broth, tea, Jello and a popsicle. For breakfast.
Not that I had too much idea what time of day it was anyway. I liked the
popsicles.
I've never been as hungry nursing as I was in the first trimester of the
pregnancy. Which is good 'cause otherwise I wouldn't have lost the weight as
easily as I have!
Holly
Mom to Camden, 7 mos.
Jill
~ Jill
"Jill" <jk...@charter.net> wrote in message
news:tpq0ud1...@corp.supernews.com...
nicole landau
Where did you deliver?
I had wanted a homebirth, but we ended up in hospital for the last
hour.. He was fine though. I gave birth in Konstanz. I had trouble
latching him on, and called the LC at about 3 am, she came over, showed
me how to do it, and we were doing fine after that one. I went home the
next day and my midwife came over every day for the next week, that was
great :-)
cu
nicole
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