Mothers Right to Choose Bottle or Breast

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MA Survey results

Massachusetts Mothers Overwhelmingly Oppose a Ban on Gift Bags with Infant Formula Samples

Almost Nine Out of 10 Mothers of Young Children Say State Should Not Restrict Distribution of Discharge Gift Bags in Hospitals

BOSTON (May 11, 2006) – Mothers of young children in Massachusetts overwhelmingly oppose a state ban on the distribution of gift bags including free infant formula samples in hospitals.  In a recent poll, eighty-six percent of mothers surveyed said hospitals should be allowed to distribute formula samples. 

The survey, conducted May 1-3, 2006 among 400 Massachusetts mothers of children 5 years of age or younger, found that 83 percent made the decision about how to feed their baby before going to the hospital to give birth.  Among those who received infant formula samples in the hospital, 8 out of 10 said the samples had “no influence at all” in their decision whether to breastfeed or formula-feed their baby.

Mothers are making an informed choice about infant feeding. Eight out of 10 reported they know that breastfeeding is best for babies.  Virtually every mother surveyed—97 percent—said they were comfortable that they had enough information when they made their decision about how to feed their babies.

“It’s very clear from the survey results that mothers want access to all the resources possible to help them with their babies’ feeding and nutrition,” said Anna Greenberg, one of the survey’s lead researchers from Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research. “This can include, upon a mother’s request, discharge gift bags containing education materials on breastfeeding and an infant formula sample. The data demonstrate clearly that those advocating a ban of infant formula samples do not speak for the vast majority of Massachusetts mothers.”

The International Formula Council* (IFC), a trade association of infant formula manufacturers, fully supports breastfeeding as the best choice for babies and mothers. IFC is pleased that, through a concerted effort by the health community, government, and industry, recorded breastfeeding rates in the United States have increased during the past decade.

“The IFC agrees with the American Academy of Pediatrics and others that infant formula is the only healthy alternative to breast milk in the first year of life,” said Mardi Mountford, Executive Vice President of IFC.  “The choice to receive an infant formula sample—and accompanying educational and preparation materials—should remain a decision between the health care professional and parent.  We should continue to trust mothers to make the best choices for their babies depending on their life circumstances and the needs of their families.”

The survey, commissioned on behalf of the infant formula industry, was conducted by Public Opinion Strategies and Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research. The public opinion research firm surveyed 400 mothers of children age 5 years or younger across the state of Massachusetts. The survey was conducted May 1 - 3, 2006 and has a margin of error of +/- 4.9%. In order to proportionally represent Massachusetts mothers, geographic and household income quotas were set that closely reflect Census bureau statistics of women age 18-45 in the state.

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*IFC is an international association of manufacturers and marketers of formulated nutrition products (e.g., infant formulas and adult nutritionals) whose members are predominantly based in North America. IFC members include all major U.S. manufacturers: Mead Johnson Nutrition; Nestlé Infant Nutrition; Abbott Nutrition; Solus Products; and Wyeth Nutrition.