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Mexico bans free baby formula in bid to boost low breastfeeding rates
Source: Associated Press
Mexico bans free baby formula in bid to boost low breastfeeding rates
Associated Press in Mexico City
Wednesday 12 August 2015 00.49 BST
The Mexican government says it will no longer allow giveaways of baby formula at hospitals and clinics in a bid to boost low breastfeeding rates.
The federal health risks oversight agency said on Tuesday anyone can still buy formula at stores, and it can be supplied at a doctor’s request or for research purposes.
But the agency argued free samples must be excluded from private and public hospitals “because it is a commercial practice that may discourage breastfeeding.”
Only one in seven mothers in Mexico breastfeeds exclusively in the first six months, as the World Health Organisation recommends. Mexico’s rate is among the lowest in Latin America.
Mother’s milk is richer than formula in nutrients and antibodies that protect newborns from infections.
Associated Press in Mexico City
Wednesday 12 August 2015 00.49 BST
The Mexican government says it will no longer allow giveaways of baby formula at hospitals and clinics in a bid to boost low breastfeeding rates.
The federal health risks oversight agency said on Tuesday anyone can still buy formula at stores, and it can be supplied at a doctor’s request or for research purposes.
But the agency argued free samples must be excluded from private and public hospitals “because it is a commercial practice that may discourage breastfeeding.”
Only one in seven mothers in Mexico breastfeeds exclusively in the first six months, as the World Health Organisation recommends. Mexico’s rate is among the lowest in Latin America.
Mother’s milk is richer than formula in nutrients and antibodies that protect newborns from infections.
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/aug/12/mexico-bans-free-baby-formula-in-bid-to-boost-low-breast-feeding-rates
