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
CONCLUSION
BACKGROUND
RESULTS
RESULTS

• 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

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.
The site distribution of the bag was usually the
mothers 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.

• 44/51 sites distributed bags
• 7/51 did not distribute bags
• 5 out of 7 hospitals
• 2 out of 7 birth centers

2005 Sites that did not distribute packs
Annual Births
Boston Medical Center 2238 Cambridge Birth Cente
r 108 Franklin Medical Center 449 Lowell Ge
neral 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
• Mothers request
• Doctors 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)