Should mothers be pressured to breastfeed?

Um, sending letters to women informing them of the benefits of breastfeeding is not "pressuring" them >.> Women should be informed of the benefits of NOT SMOKING during their pregnancy, not eating tons of sugar, etc. Many women know nothing about how to grow a healthy baby >.<

But it's going beyond that... it's not allowing women to breastfeed, until they can demonstrate why they can't... keeping the formula locked away until they mother is lectured extensively.
If it was simply education, then allowing the woman to make her own choice, I'd support it.

>The state initiative coincides with Bloomberg's call for hospitals to lock away their baby
formula and have nurses encourage new mothers to breastfeed.

My bad, I interpreted it to mean that was something he said, not something he'd put into action.

This is what is called a progressive nudge

push a little then a little more and use previous push successes as precedence for further nudges all leading to totalitarianism - you do as you are told.

It has nothing to do with being progressive... the right does it, too. It is, however, corruption.

More government interference. Maybe we should make it impossible for these know-it-all idiots to reproduce.

After Bloomberg has a baby, then he make that decision for himself - in the meantime, it's really none of his business what a mother decides.

This is ‘distilled’ progressivism run amuck; plain and simple.

Hell no - it is her choice

Democrats, Don't believe in CHOICE. That is the truth of the matter. That is what they keep growing the Government because sooner or later, their Dictator will take over, and he or her will make all the rules.

Uh, I'd think you'd find most Democrats are against this, too.

No woman should be forced into breastfeeding, that is not for everyone!
Let them decide by themselves what is good for them and their child.

When Mayor Bloomberg can push someone the size of a watermelon through an opening that is the size of a dime, then, he can speak. Now, SHUT UP MIKE! I know pros and cons..formula fed babies actually DO live, and thrive. It is up the M.O.T.H.E.R. PERIOD! Whatever a Mom decides to do, as long as it helps her to be THE best care provider, and nurturer for the Baby, everyone else should MYOB!! You don't have to have cracked nipples as your MOMMY MERIT BADGE.

They should be encouraged to do so, but not pressured. Those are two very different things. Formula is not nearly as good as nursing and, perhaps, formula should not be as readily available. If a mother truly wishes to feed her baby formula, after trying to nurse or having a serious health reason to not nurse, then it should be available... However, seriously encouraging women to help their babies have an healthy start is hardly "pressuring." Breastfeeding a baby is as natural as breathing - and for the baby very important.

If the formula is not available right away, it's no longer encouragement, it's pressure. Educated mothers and let them make up their own minds.

Who is saying the formula would not be available "right away?" LOL! The sky is falling! The sky is falling! OMG, women might be encouraged to try to breastfeed their childrn> OH NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They are saying it will be locked away until an RN has to go get it, not a nurse's aide, and not until the woman is thoroughly lectured... even though the baby is hungry that moment.
Again, I'm not against education, but don't pressure... you can encourage without pushing.
In Canada, I know a woman who was closely watched by a social worker... why? Because she simply refused to breastfeed. That's insane!

Formula is always provided by a nurse. It's very important because some babies have reactions to different formulas and it's quite important to get the right one in place, if possible, before the baby leaves the hospital... Imnsho, simply refusing to breastfeed one's baby is an extremely selfish and ignorant thing to do. There is a reason we have breasts and it's not just for sexual pleasure. The insanity is when some women choose to have babies and then refuse to try to do what is best for them. I nursed both of my daughters because if was best for them. My younger had to be weaned at two months because I had to be placed on some seizure medication that was dangerous for her. So, formula was the next best thing. If a mother is not prepared to do what is best for her baby, when at all possible, then perhaps she should reconsider having babies. It has been proven time and again that breastfed babies are healthier. So, eff the women who may be a bit inconvenienced by having to ask a nurse for formula when they could just simply place their baby at their breast but are too selfish to do so.

I was formula fed and I was raised perfectly healthy... as is every other adopted child.

There is no reason to PUSH breastfeeding, simply because it has some benefits. If a mother is outright refusing, she has a reason... she shouldn't have to defend herself.

It has nothing to do with being self-centred, so eff the person who thinks they can tell a woman what she should be doing with her body.


**EDIT**

Well, I tried to respond to your latest response, but I see that you've blocked me in an attempt to sound off with the last word. It's a shame, since all I really had to say was that you brought up some good points.

I'm glad to see you're so interested in open discourse. -_-

Adoption is a separate issue. There are exceptions. Also, just because you were healthy does NOT mean "every other adopted child" is. Every study done has shown that nursed babies have a higher immune system, less ear infections, higher resistance to all sorts of illnesses. Many women outright refuse because they are selfish. If they are that selfish that they are somehow offended at at least trying to do what is best for their baby, then perhaps they should have considered having a baby a little more carefully. Nursing does cause some inconvenience. However, it is PROVEN to be more healthy for the infant and is less expensive. It also means that baby and mother likely have to spend more time together. G-d forbid! Also, nursing is not just about feeding. Sometimes it's just about needing comfort - and babies can need a lot of that. What's better for the baby? Sticking a pacifier in its mouth or taking the time to hold and nurse for a few minutes? Wow... let me think!

No one is telling women that they cannot bottle feed formula. They are seriously encouraging women to consider a better way, though.

I suppose you think eff the child, too. Good on ya!

Whatever happened to choice? The government wants to control our boobs now?

Leave it up to the mother! Bloomberg is stickin' his nose in where it SHOULDN'T be.

Mothers shouldn't have to be pressured to do anything a certain way.

Absolutely not...Some women have trouble breastfeeding due to various health related issues. But who are we to tell these women what to do after their child is born?

And they get to show their titties...

Pressured in to something by making the alternative more expensive is just stupid...
But women should be encouraged to breast feed, by correct in formation about it as an alternative to the advert campaigns for baby formula....

Politicians have no business in this. There are many moms that do not need to breast. Every day hospital nurseries have babies born addicted to drugs or alcohol. The last thing needed is for that mother to breast feed and continue poisoning the poor babies system..

Breast feeding is the right thing to do, but ultimately it is up to the mother to decide.

INFORM mothers of the benefits of breastfeeding to both her and her child. Let her know the pitfalls of formula, and allow her to make an informed choice.

Hosea 4:6 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."

I don't think mothers should be pressure to breastfeed, by government OR doctors.

I do believe they should be educated about the benefits of breastfeeding, but let them make their own decisions.

Just do not pressure the mother, ever. Leave her alone. I HATED all the pressure from every single busy body about breast feeding... hated it almost as much as I hated breast feeding. It hurt, horribly, the entire 8 months I did it, and with my second child, I only tried for a couple of weeks, then gave up. It may be great for some, but is not for everyone. Show respect and follow the mothers wishes.

I like the phrase encouraged, not pressured.

But how are these mothers not going to be pressured, with what he proposes? They will be lectured to, before they can have the formula... it's psychological play to make them feel guilty.
Hell, they're even expected to prove they can't breastfeed.

There's a fine line between encouraging and persuading - I trust the professionals will be find the right balance.

Also, mothers are tough people. If they can raise children, they can take a little pressure on this. If not, they just put up with it for an hour and then do what they were going to do anyways.

What I have an objection to is government involvment between the women and their doctors. The doctor can reasonably advise these women and don't need government encouraging or discouraging ANYTHING.

Yes but by doctors not politicians. Shut up Bloomberg and get back to making sure the sanitation department is picking up the garbage.

I agree that government shouldn't be able to pressure mothers, but I don't think doctors should be allowed to either... there's nothing really 'wrong' with formula feeding.
Educated? Sure... pressured? No.