Those formula discharge bags, the ones shown by multiple studies to decrease breastfeeding rates, are still given by the vast majority of hospitals.
But a new study in Pediatrics reports that the number of hospitals getting rid of them is increasing at a good clip.
Time reports that in this follow-up study of over 1,200 hospitals in 20 states:
In 2007, just 14% of hospitals refused to give out formula samples. Three years later, researchers checked back in with the 10 states that had distributed the most and least samples and found that the percentage of hospitals declining to distribute freebies had doubled.
I'd love to know about the trend in the other 30 states. The study's authors conclude, "Most US hospitals continue to distribute industry-sponsored formula sample packs, but trends indicate a significant change in practice."
The state with the most 'bag free' hospitals? Rhode Island at 86%.
Want to know more about efforts to ban these bags? See the Ban the Bags website, and listen to this podcast interview I did with Dr. Alison Steube.
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