Extreme hospital or is this the norm?

[Shroomboom]

I'm almost 11 weeks pg, so plenty of time to think about where to give birth, but I'm interested in people's opinions about the hospital I'm going to now.

I read all the pamphlets they gave me, and it says that basically there is no other choice in this particular hospital than to breastfeed. They refuse to give formula, and will not tolerate it unless on doctors orders. Also they refuse to give out the new baby gift bags (normal here in Belgium but not sure about UK?) because they contain breast milk substitute advertising.

I am all for breastfeeding, I fed ds for 15 months, and intend to do the same with this one (touchwood), but to not allow mothers to choose seems terrible to me. Encouraging breastfeeding is one thing, but it seems a bit like a dictatorship!

Am I being silly, or is this the norm? There are other things related to the delivery that they lay down the rules upon, but this especially really annoyed me!

God that seems quite extreme. I'm originally from Belgium and my best friend is a midwife there. In her hospital they do recommend and support breastfeeding, but they definitely allow ff for those who can't/don't want to bf. Which hospital is it?

I work in a hospital in the uk that has a very similar policy most hospital going for baby friendly accredited status do. Whilst I do promote breastfeeding and have been baby friendly trained I also think these policies put some women at a disadvantage. For example we have no sterilising facilities available for those who choose to formula feed and we do not give out ready made formula unless it is for medical reasons, therefore mothers on a low income who would otherwise get their formula milk for free with milk tokens have to buy expensive ready made formula. To say well these babies are the ones who may benefit most from bf and it's free is obvious but just too simplistic in what is a multi faceted. I think bf is great (i bf my son for 2 years and ff fed my first after 2 weeks bf) but I also think formula feeding mothers need support too.

I did wonder if it was for baby friendly, its a unicef initiative and no bottles or pictures of bottles or any promotion of any kind is allowed. However they cant stop you feeding your baby whatever the hell you want to but you would have to provide disposable bottles etc, they will have formula for if there is a problem, and presumable if breastfeeding is not possible for some reason this would fall into the catergorie of doctors advice.

It seems draconian, but very similar to my local hospital, which recently adopted a policy of not handing out formula. If you attempt to breastfeed and can't, your DP/OH is expected to go out and buy formula.

Partly to do with baby friendly, partly to do with cost. Think it's the same with nappies, too.

Thanks for the replies, sorry I haven't been back - having a very tough time with hyperemesis, but will return.

PS MissHC it's Gasthuisberg in Leuven.

I think that hospital sounds appalling. They have no right to do that and to encourage women to have to waste drs time with notes or letters or phone calls when the mum already knows that the medication can't be taken whilst breast feeding is ridiculous.

And what happens if there are complications and the mum isn't even conscious? Are the dads allowed to ff?

And how would they fund this? Surely it would lead to complications of delivery in woman who are stressing out over the possibility that it won't work. Giving birth takes a lot of energy and focus, added stress can cause all sorts of problems. And as a pp said about milk coming in, are they going to have women stay longer than needed in order to know that baby has left able to feed?

Normal stay is 5 days caffeine, so that probably isn't an issue. I just don't think they can force people into doing things in this way. I really object, even though I agree with breastfeeding and feel very strongly about it. I'm considering trying to find another hospital, but want clarification from the midwives regarding other issues surrounding delivery first.

Dita it is a Baby Friendly hospital, i have to admit to not knowing that it was some kind of initiative It just seems very unforgiving and the rigidity of it annoys me.

MissHC Can I ask which hospital your friend works in?