Delaware Hospitals Will No Longer Give New Moms Formula As Parting Gift

By Kim Glovas

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A practice of giving new moms infant formula when they leave the hospital is no longer in effect in Delaware.

The Delaware Division of Public Health says breast feeding is healthier for a newborn baby and it's mother. And that is one reason infant formula will no longer be given as a parting gift. Spokeswoman Lisl Phelps says pushing a brand name formula is also marketing.

"It has an implicit recommendation that formula is the best way to feed infants, when research shows that breast milk is superior. So when we get something free from our doctors we automatically assume that doctors want us to use it."

Phelps says in reality, breast fed babies have better immune systems than formula fed babies, and get sick less in their first year of life. She adds breast feeding also reduces the incidence of leukemia, diabetes and obesity.