Has anyone seen one of these gift bags given by hospitals? It will hold like a six-pack and a sandwich!! If I remember correctly, there is like a few diapers (not enough to last a day), some ointment, some literature and a can or so (one powdered, and maybe a couple single serving bottles) of formula. There are times when it is sometimes inconvenient to nurse, and having some formula is handy (even if mother still nurses baby).
The hospitals (in the region) where I live, encourage mother and child spend post delivery time together in the mother's recovery room - so mother and baby spend the first night or two together. And during that period, the mother is encouraged to nurse the child - and not use formula. The images that show babies packed together in a nursery with an observation window is outdated. When visitors want to see the newborn, they go to the mother's room and see mother and baby - together. A nursery is not manned or used unless there is a problem.
IMHO, the reason that most American women stop nursing by 6 months, is because it is very difficult. A newborn eats like 8 times a day. Most mothers work, and maternity leave is relatively short - a couple months at best. This means pumping while at work. This is the United States we're talking about here, not some third world country. Mothers are told the benefits of nursing, and are encouraged to nurse - the fact that most stop by 6 months is because mothers chose to do so. |
