Baby formula giveaways eliminated

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - New mothers will no longer be receiving free infant formula gift bags at hospitals throughout Massachusetts, and for breast feeding advocates, this is a huge milestone.

Virginia Thomas, who's a Perinatal Nurse Manager at Holyoke Medical Center says the motive behind most of these giveaways, was marketing.

"It was always the tradition that when you had a baby, you went home with a lot of free gifts; and what it was, was a bunch of promotional material", said Thomas.

The birthing center here at Holyoke Medical Center is just one of the 49 birthing facilities in the state that have voluntarily eliminated the giveaways. The hospital has had this in effect for 6 months now, and Thomas says it's working out well.

"I think it's a good idea. I believe in breast feeding and I think that they should just keep on pushing it. It's good for the baby and it's natural", said Jessica DiGiammo of Southampton.

Most experts believe formula doesn't hold the same benefits as breast milk--like the increase in immunity a mother's milk gives her baby.

But not everyone agrees on the elimination of these formula packs, like Fran Desbiens of Holyoke.

"I see both sides, but I really think they should continue to do it because not everyone can nurse", said Desbiens.

Dr. Dorothy Kelly of Holyoke Medical Center said that this is a common misconception among most mothers.

"The first couple of days of breastfeeding is tough, because the baby is very hungry, and a lot of moms think 'well I don't have enough in those first few days'...but they do have enough", Dr. Kelly told 22News.

It's important to note that breast feeding isn't just beneficial for the baby--but also for the mother. This includes: a stronger bond with the baby,  an increase in weight-loss, and the uterus gets smaller, faster.

Most birth hospitals, like Holyoke Medical Center, also offer breast feeding classes for mothers before and after they give birth.