Far from giving new babes the best possible start, some moms are incensed to find hospitals doling out formula when sending them home after giving birth.
When Jessica Ewald opened her hospital goody bag, with included free infant formula and formula coupons, she was less than impressed.
"We gave it away the moment we came home because I said I'm not having that in our house," said 32-year-old Illinois mom Ewald.
Quoting a blogger, Ewald claimed that sending newborns home with formula "'is like giving somebody divorce papers at their wedding.' It can really undermine a woman's determination to breast-feed".
It's estimated that 72 per cent of birthing centres and hospitals sent American moms home with free formula last year.
"I don't think hospitals are the right place to market anything and I don't think hospitals should be marketing a product that is nutritionally inferior to breast milk," said Anne Merewood, an associate pediatrics professor at Boston University medical school and editor of the Journal of Human Lactation.
"People do think if a doctor gives something it must be good for you," Merewood said.
For decades hospitals have been offering formula freebies, but they have a new incentive to abandon the practice. Some women and activists claim that arming moms with formula right from the start tempts them to use it.
Scientific affairs specialist for the International Formula Council trade group, Haley Stevens said not offering new moms formula samples "is really irresponsible" as it could endanger babies if formula isn't properly prepared.
"We agree breast-feeding is the best, when you can do it," Stevens said. "There's no question. But if one size doesn't fit all, it's good to have a backup."
Were you sent home with free formula? Did you feel pressured to use it, or did you simply throw it out?
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