New York urges new mothers to breastfeed babies

[Islander]

By Ray Sanchez
NEW YORK | Wed Aug 1, 2012

(Reuters) - New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and state officials are pushing initiatives aimed at encouraging new mothers to breastfeed their babies, drawing criticism from some parents who say officials are interfering with their health choices.

State health commissioners announced on Tuesday that letters highlighting the importance of breastfeeding were being sent to hospitals, reminding them of regulations limiting unnecessary formula feedings for breastfed newborns.

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

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...ame=healthNews

[Maurya]

Oh, no! Could this be a rare attack of common sense?

[bmc65]

Not so much. I was actually okay with Bloomberg having a 3rd term. Green roofs, bike lanes, end to smoking in tons of public areas including parks, alternate fuel on some of the busses, tried to get it for cabs, cutting back on soda size (at least he's trying to do something). In a lot of ways the dude is pretty progressive and forward thinking. He also wanted to get off shore windmills, don't know what happened with that idea, or what other possible green ideas didn't even make to public notice.

[Julieanne]

One way to encourage breastfeeding is to remove the stigma associated with feeding in public. It is a perfectly natural act, but some in our twisted society see exposing the breasts as sexual. Sick! Every now and again the subject comes up, and there are always some who object.