• Hospital Use of Infant Formula in Breastfeeding or Chestfeeding Infants

    The AAFP encourages hospital staff to respect the decision of the parent who chooses to breastfeed or chestfeed exclusively by not offering formula, water or pacifiers to an infant unless there is a specific physician order. When available, donor human milk should be offered as an alternative supplement for infants of breastfeeding/chestfeeding parents requiring added supplementation for their health (e.g., late preterm infants at low birth weight).

    The AAFP discourages distribution of formula or coupons for free or discounted formula in hospital discharge or physician office packets given to parents who choose to breastfeed/chestfeed exclusively. Parents who exclusively breastfeed/chestfeed should be provided with outpatient resources for lactation assistance. (2007) (September 2022 COD)