NEW: RI First State in US to Eliminate Free Infant Formula
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Not in Rhode Island: free samples of infant formula are gone, gone, gone
Supporting breastfeeding
According to the RI Department of Health, the benefits to both mother and infant are substantial. Mothers who breastfeed have a lower risk of some diseases, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and type 2 diabetes. Breastfeeding during infancy protects babies from necrotizing enterocolitis (a disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract in preterm infants), lower respiratory infections, asthma, type 2 diabetes, and helps to prevent children from becoming overweight or obese during childhood and later in life. Furthermore, according to the Department of Health, breastfeeding results in significant cost savings for families, the healthcare system, and for employers.
Making it official
The effort is already underway. As of October, Landmark Medical Center and Memorial Hospital joined Kent, Newport, South County, Westerly, and Women & Infants Hospitals in eliminating the distribution of formula bags and enabled Rhode Island to claim the honor of being the first state to do so. Multiple studies show an association between the distribution of free commercial formula bags and decreased breastfeeding rates.
Rhode Island First Lady Stephanie Chafee and Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Roberts appeared at the official press announcement yesterday.
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