Top Hospitals' Formula for Success: No Marketing of Infant Formula

The vast majority of the nation’s most reputable hospitals are blocking infant formula manufacturers from marketing their formula products, according to Public Citizen and Ban the Bags research. Eliminating in-hospital formula promotion through the distribution of formula company-sponsored discharge bags has become a standard best practice among the highest ranked hospitals in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Hospitals list (“U.S. News”). Numerous studies show that women are likely to breastfeed less, and for shorter durations, if they receive formula samples and promotional materials in hospital discharge packs