No more pacifiers at the hospital?

kmslwsmrs

I just got a letter in the mail from the hospital I'm delivering at saying that to promote breastfeeding, they will no longer begiving out pacifiers, but I can bring my own. Not the biggest deal, but that on top of not being able to steal weeks worth of formula sure is cramping my style if they tell me I can't put him/her in the nursery overnight, I might lose it.

irish1114

wow.  What about people who have no intention of breast feeding (I never wanted to breast feed) or just can't?  That's messed up I think

UsedToBeGoldie

eh- not a big deal... it's likely not so much about the nursing thing- but a cost cutting measure.  You can still bring your own- that's all that matters.

some hospitals don't even have nurseries for the babies overnight... I would NEVER deliver in one of those! LOL.  We kept our sanity by sending the boys to the nursery at night... it was the best decision we ever made to get those couple nights of semi-sleep before going home

 

vicki21

At Hackensack they don't provide them, but they don't discourage you from using them or from bringing your own.

wed2506

I believe this is more than norm than the exception these days.  Thankfully te hospital I delivered DS in LY still gave them away. 

If it is a cost cutting measure than just say it.  I did not BF either of my kids and hated the fact that everyone looked at me like I was a child abuser.  I had to have words with a nurse when I deliver DS because she seemed determined to make me change my mind.  My kid, my choice.  STFU

BeachBaby07

aw man, I cant believe how things have changed in such a short time. It would also piss me off that they are trying to force me to breastfeed

nmc29

No stockpiling formula?!

I think I ended up with about 2-3 weeks worth of formula from the night nurses..lol.  They would bring me in tons of it and stash it in my suitcase.

StephNJohn2008

When I delivered (a long 7 weeks ago) they were big on pushing the breastfeeding (which I do but they were def pushing it). They also didn't give pacis and didn't offer for the babies to go to the nursery in order to promote bfing and mommy/baby time. I asked them to take him the 2nd night bc I thought I was going to die lol, but yeah, it wasn't offered. 

Celestevie

I think they are taking the wrong approach. Again, like most things, pacifiers are a personal decision.  I hardly think that if you want to give your kid one, that you won't.  And I don't think that if you want to BF, that the availability of one is going to stop you.  I agree - probably a $ cutting measure.

barcelonagirl

Not a big deal to me but, my kid never took a paci.

Steph - The nurse offered to take him from me the first night because I thought I was going to die too.  But, he cried the entire time he was in the nursery so she brought him right back.  Figures!

mrs.marie.g

irish1114:

wow.  What about people who have no intention of breast feeding (I never wanted to breast feed) or just can't?  That's messed up I think

TOTALLY agree with that. and i was the same way. i had no intention going in.

laurenpetro

mrs.marie.g:

irish1114:

wow.  What about people who have no intention of breast feeding (I never wanted to breast feed) or just can't?  That's messed up I think

TOTALLY agree with that. and i was the same way. i had no intention going in.

i agree, but they're not banning them outright so i guess there's not much controversey there.  it'd be worse if they refused them.  i did love those pacis that they gave out, though.

and what up with the no stockpiling thing?

Liz051405

At least they warned you so you aren't surprised after you are there and have a screaming newborn.

But I doubt it has anything to do with BFing support and everything to do with saving money. But it sounds a lot better to say they are trying to support bfing then to say "we are cheap".

laurenpetro

Liz051405:

At least they warned you so you aren't surprised after you are there and have a screaming newborn.

But I doubt it has anything to do with BFing support and everything to do with saving money. But it sounds a lot better to say they are trying to support bfing then to say "we are cheap".

you crack my sh!ts up.

Pixiestx

BeachBaby07:

aw man, I cant believe how things have changed in such a short time. It would also piss me off that they are trying to force me to breastfeed

I think this is overstating it a bit.  Not providing a pacifier is hardly forcing you to breastfeed. It's not like denying formula or anything. Besides, plenty of breastfeeding moms use pacifers, so it affects more than just those who formula feed.

debfife

I don't see why it's a big deal. They're not banning them or forcing anyone to breastfeed. Maybe they'll make people bring their own formula next to save $$$$ 

NJ905wife

I think that's dumb but honestly I hate the pacis they give at the hospital

natalie042205

Is it Jersey Shore? they told me that too. Then my son was admitted to the NICU there and they used them. 

Kristen81603

Hackensack only used them in the NICU, if you wanted to use them you could in the regular nursery, but you had to bring your own. I see nothing wrong with this- and Hackensack is far from pushing breastfeeding- 

Karma01

The hospital I gave birth at gave her a pacifier, she showed up with one after getting her ears checked. They gave me nothing when I left the hospital.

UsedToBeGoldie

Morristown was not big on pushing nursing - at least not with me - either time. They helped me nurse the boys... and were supportive- but i never felt pushed into it at all.

They still offered formula... and GAVE the boys pacis - knowing i was nursing (which would make some nursing moms mad- i didn't care).

we just would take the extra formula from our carts and DH would take it home each day when he went to shower   They didn't offer us a ton of stuff to take home- just the last days they said we could take anything left in the cart except linins.

I believe formula companies give them the formula- they don't pay for it (unless i'm misinformed)... i used to work for an abbott company (who makes enfamil) and they gave tons out to doc offices, hospitals, etc - i'm assuming taht's still how it's done.... b/c if you start your baby on enfamil on day one you are less likely to change when you get home (unless you are like me and say this- i'm getting the generic- it's the same thing)

 

kmslwsmrs

UsedToBeGoldie:

Morristown was not big on pushing nursing - at least not with me - either time. They helped me nurse the boys... and were supportive- but i never felt pushed into it at all.

They still offered formula... and GAVE the boys pacis - knowing i was nursing (which would make some nursing moms mad- i didn't care).

we just would take the extra formula from our carts and DH would take it home each day when he went to shower   They didn't offer us a ton of stuff to take home- just the last days they said we could take anything left in the cart except linins.

I believe formula companies give them the formula- they don't pay for it (unless i'm misinformed)... i used to work for an abbott company (who makes enfamil) and they gave tons out to doc offices, hospitals, etc - i'm assuming taht's still how it's done.... b/c if you start your baby on enfamil on day one you are less likely to change when you get home (unless you are like me and say this- i'm getting the generic- it's the same thing)

 

This is how it was when I had M, however, when I had E, it was a totally different story.  They'd send me little "notes" from him saying that the best thing I could do for him was breastfeed him, that were left in his little bassinet.  They kept trying to convince me to not give formula, and eventually gave in and I had a crapload.  I went to visit my friend a few months ago at the same hospital ,and there wasn't formula anywhere to be seen....when she asked for it, they gave it one bottle at a time, and were keeping track.  She was sent home with nothing...no formula, no diapers, nothing.  Saying it was a new practice, which I'm sure was to save money. 

CakesMommy2114

The hospital was the only place I could find the freaking 0-3 month MAM Pacifier... this is beyond annoying.  I BF'ed both of my kids for over a year and they also took a pacifier too - so people need to stop making assumptions!

ZoeKins

I had DD#1 in July 08 and they asked if I wanted to use them.  They even kept them in the bassinet drawer...I took a few home.  DD#2 was born July 11 and nothing.  I asked and they said the same thing.  I didn't get a letter though.  I was a little taken aback at how they are pushing breast feeding on mothers now.  So much has changed in 3 years.  EVERYTHING was based on the "breastfeeding" baby.

Shoegal23

I delivered both of mine at Morristown- they were both given pacis- I could have cared less and I BF'd both. I was never given formula for obvi reasons. I only know of one person who received these elusive stock piles of formula and diapers- that was at Valley. They never overtly pushed BFing on me. I said I was going to and they asked if they wanted the baby to have formula at night- I said no and that was it!  I would definitely say it's cheapness masked as BF support.  I'll see how it goes in 2 weeks time!!!

Katethegreat10

it's not a cost cutting measure. it is called the baby friendly innitiative. look up baby friendly hospital. there are many criteria a hospital has to meet. the world health organization and jchao are encouraging all hospitals to become "baby friendly". one of the things is not offering pacifiers to any baby, only if the parents request. the other big thing is not sending moms home with any formula if they are breastfeeding. a lot of hospitals have done away with those free bags from the formula companies. plus i believe if they are baby friendly they are not allowed to accept formula for free from the companies. they have to pay for all the formula they use in the hospital, so i would imagine they wouldn't be passing it out as freely. my hospital is not baby friendly yet, but they have been looking into it and putting some of the suggestions into place. 

CLord

Katethegreat10:

it's not a cost cutting measure. it is called the baby friendly innitiative. look up baby friendly hospital. there are many criteria a hospital has to meet. the world health organization and jchao are encouraging all hospitals to become "baby friendly". one of the things is not offering pacifiers to any baby, only if the parents request. the other big thing is not sending moms home with any formula if they are breastfeeding. a lot of hospitals have done away with those free bags from the formula companies. plus i believe if they are baby friendly they are not allowed to accept formula for free from the companies. they have to pay for all the formula they use in the hospital, so i would imagine they wouldn't be passing it out as freely. my hospital is not baby friendly yet, but they have been looking into it and putting some of the suggetstions into place. 

Useful info, thanks Kate.  Do they offer funding for more lactation consultants and training for nurses to help with feeding?  I wanted to breastfeed- couldn't get my son to latch properly and had trouble finding anyone to really help me.  The lactation consultant saw me when he was first born, but was gone for the whole weekend.  One of the ped. nurses made me feel like crap for "starving" my kid because I couldn't get him to latch.  Some of the nurses were amazing- others were not interested in taking the time to help me. 

I just hope that things like notes in the bassinet (mentioned above) and other guilt  ploys aren't encouraged in this initiative.  I get making formula less readily available will help women who are thinking about breastfeeding but not super gung-ho, but they need other support.  I think I might have punched the person who put the note in my kid's bassinet, personally.  There's enough to feel guilty about as a mom- no need to make those feelings even worse.  And I certainly hope that women who choose not to breastfeed aren't given guilt trips, either.  

lovinthefall08

 Whether it is to promote breastfeeding or to cut costs, I don't think it is a necessary service they need to provide.  If they are allowing it, bring your own and call it a day if that is what you choose.  

I personally feel you know your having a baby that will need to eat and have diapers, etc.  I don't think giving birth means your entitled to a free for all when it comes to formula, diapers, pacifiers and everything else you can possible stuff in your bag before you leave the hospital. 

anotherNJbride

lovinthefall08:

 Whether it is to promote breastfeeding or to cut costs, I don't think it is a necessary service they need to provide.  If they are allowing it, bring your own and call it a day if that is what you choose.  

I personally feel you know your having a baby that will need to eat and have diapers, etc.  I don't think giving birth means your entitled to a free for all when it comes to formula, diapers, pacifiers and everything else you can possible stuff in your bag before you leave the hospital. 

Well said!! 

And FWIW, I told the nurses my baby could have a pacifier (though she never took it) and I sent her back to the nursery overnight and EBF.  My sister also EBFs and her baby took a pacifier in the hospital from day 1.  Cutting out pacis are in no way trying to "force" anyone to BF.

debfife

lovinthefall08:

I personally feel you know your having a baby that will need to eat and have diapers, etc.  I don't think giving birth means your entitled to a free for all when it comes to formula, diapers, pacifiers and everything else you can possible stuff in your bag before you leave the hospital. 

i agree. And the hospitals do pay for all of that stuff.  

heathernaf

lovinthefall08:

 Whether it is to promote breastfeeding or to cut costs, I don't think it is a necessary service they need to provide.  If they are allowing it, bring your own and call it a day if that is what you choose.  

I personally feel you know your having a baby that will need to eat and have diapers, etc.  I don't think giving birth means your entitled to a free for all when it comes to formula, diapers, pacifiers and everything else you can possible stuff in your bag before you leave the hospital. 

Having a baby is anything but free nowadays, even if you have insurance. The LEAST they could do is provide formula and diapers while you are there, as far as I'm concerned.  They are in the business of taking care of people and those things are involved with taking care of babies.