What's you're opinion on this?

[audmom1218]

So I was talking with my friend about her NICU experience at Walter Reed and she said that all parents, even those who chose not to bf were asked/strongly advised to pump colostrum at the very least while babies were there.

She then posted about it on fb and got lots of nasty comments about how it's taking away moms choice. What do you think?

[MaryJarrett]

The NICU I worked in gave every baby under a certain weight either donor milk or mom's milk. I like that. I think that educating these women on the risks and benefits of colostrum/breast milk vs formula and then encouraging these women to make the better medical decision is great. The mom's deserve to know. Informed consent and all. Many people think that formula is completely safe, which is statistically isn't true at all.

[MommyO2-6631]

It's the best medicine. And i had pre e with my firsy and had to be induced at 31 weeks. Right when they started the induction they had a lactation consultant come tell me about the benefits breast milk would have for my preemie. That's all it took for me. They don't know what they would do until it actually happens so they have no room to make nasty comments about it.

[gdiamante]

By the same token, it's taking mom's choice away when advising her to get prenantal care or to avoid drugs and alcohol while pregnant.

[mostlymaydays]

I think it's great that the hospital would give such advice to get the babies off to the best start while they are under their umbrella of care. There isn't any denying how important colostrum is to babies and there is simply no artificial equivalent of it. 

[WorkingMommy931]

It's not taking away a choice, it's what's best. It amazes me how touchy people get when you try to encourage breastfeeding! Maybe she needs to un-friend some people!

[aehanrahan]

Is it taking away a choice when doctors suggest chemotherapy to a cancer patient?

[Eliots_momma]

My hospital encouraged EVERYONE to breastfeed. It is a baby friendly hospital. I don't even know if they would provide formula for nonmedical situations, the word was never even mentioned :)

[misasue]

there is law suit right now here in fl because a baby was feed formula and got nec! 

Quoting maggiemom2000:

Show them this picture of a baby with NEC:

http://www.bestforbabes.org/what-is-the-who-code

The risk of NEC for premiees who get formula instead of colostrum/breast milk is HUGE!