Commercial Discharge Bag Distribution from Maternity Sites in Massachusetts

1. Commercial Discharge Bag Distribution from Maternity Sites in Massachusetts Robin J. Humphreys, RN, IBCLC*, Sheina Jean-Marie, BA**, Barbara L. Philipp, MD, FAAP, FABM, IBCLC** * Dept. of Nursing, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA , USA ** Dept. of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center/ Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA BACKGROUND RESULTS RESULTS CONCLUSION • AAP, ACOG, and AAFP recommend exclusive breastfeeding for six months • Certain hospital practices interfere with successful breastfeeding • 2000 Cochrane review of 9 RCTs found that giving commercial discharge packs (with or without formula) reduces the number of women exclusively breastfeeding at all outcome points • 44/51 sites distributed bags • 7/51 did not distribute bags • 5 out of 7: hospitals • 2 out of 7: birth centers The site distribution of the bag was usually the mother’s room on the maternity floor. At one hospital, mothers were required to show their hospital bands at the gift shop and sign a list to receive a bag. Another hospital distributed the bags only at the discharge class. Several hospitals reported the availability of commercial bags specifically for nursing staff. In 2005, the majority of Massachusetts’ maternity facilities distributed a commercial discharge bag to new mothers, despite medical evidence indicating the negative effect on exclusive breastfeeding. This practice potentially affected 86% of births in the state or 68,000 babies. 2005 Sites that did not distribute packs: Annual Births Boston Medical Center 2238 Cambridge Birth Center 108 Franklin Medical Center 449 Lowell General Hospital 1899 Mass General Hospital 3537 Newton-Wellesley Hospital 3067 North Shore Birth Center 80 11,378 Total Massachusetts Births = 79,438 DISCLOSURE PURPOSE The authors have no financial information to disclose. To determine the status of the distribution of commercial discharge packs from maternity facilities in Massachusetts in 2005 METHODS • When the sites had more than one formula company supply bags, the system of distribution varied, including: • Alternating months • 6-month blocks • Gender • Mother’s request • Doctor’s order • WIC eligibility • Study conducted during November and December 2005 • Study authors contacted 51Massachusetts licensed maternity sites and administered a telephone survey • 51 licensed maternity sites identified using mass.gov website (49 hospitals, 2 birth centers) • Surveys completed by RNs(39%), LCs(41%), and others (20%)