Bravo "Latch On NYC Initiative"!!!

I was so happy to read this morning's article regarding the Latch On NYC Initiative aimed at reducing the use of baby formula in hospitals.  http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/nyc-hospitals-baby-formula-plan-rankles-mommy-bloggers-212928162--abc-news-health.html

I've known about the whole "Ban The Bags" movement, a similar campaign to stop the illegal marketing of infant formula and company kick-backs to hospitals.  These movements truly deserve praise in such a commercial, artificial environment.  Breastfeeding is a serious public health issue.  To see a hospital move towards something that is free of charge, and unprofitable for them, is shocking. http://banthebags.org/

What I don't understand is why the vast majority of newborns need formula anyway. Forgive me-- I had a homebirth.  But, from what I remember, I was still producing colostrum by the time I would've been discharged from the hospital.  Why would a baby, only a few hours old, need formula if they aren't even biologically ready for their own mother's milk? 

One thing's for sure, American mothers do not receive enough breastfeeding support and quick offerings of formula only undermine the natural process.  Not to mention, with one in three U.S. children classified as obese or overweight, it's scary that we are introducing babies to artifical food during their first few days of life! A Nestle product is NOT the first food a child should consume! Click below for one of many articles on the link between breastfeeding and obesity reduction. From the CDC:
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/nutrition/pdf/breastfeeding_r2p.pdf

Breastfeeding is a huge priority for me and I did have problems with a low supply with my first baby.  However, I did all I could and managed to nurse for 22.5 months. It was supplemented, but breastmilk was a major part of my child's diet for almost two years.  Now that I'm pregnant again, I have a better plan in place to prevent the same problems from occuring.  Here are some ideas:
--Attend Le Leche League or hospital breastfeeding support groups (most are free)
--Make sure the hospital staff's lactation consultant stops by your room!!! 
--Request that hospital staff not feed your baby formula.  The lactation consultant will most likely back you up on this.
--Buy a Milkies Milk Saver. These are smooth, plastic disks that collect your breastmilk from the unused breast.  When your milk lets down, especially in those early months, both breasts release milk.  That means a lot of milk gets wasted.  The Milk Saver is inserted into your nursing bra and catches the milk to be stored for later consumption. This is great for moms who need every ounce!
--Take fenugreek.  3 capsules, 3 times per day.
--Eat oatmeal
--The "24 hour Cure" described by Penny Simkin in The Birth Partner
--Information from KellyMom.com
--Limit visitors, chores, and outside activities for the first couple weeks while your milk supply is being established