As per recent reports, it has been revealed that a promoting group Public Citizen has asked 2,600 hospitals across the country to stop giving free samples of baby food or baby diet. It has been estimated that dozens of consumers and health organizations have sent out letters to these hospitals.

The findings suggest that most of the hospitals across the state provide new mothers with a corporate sponsored bag, which includes samples of diapers, pamphlets, coupons and baby food. On the basis of the findings, the consumer advocates have suggested that if free samples are given out, then it could discourage the practice of breastfeeding by mothers.

Public Citizen President Robert Weissman said, “Hospitals aim to promote the health of infants and mothers, but the ongoing promotion of infant formula conflicts with this mission”.

Rather, he emphasized that infant formula manufacturers, Abbott Laboratories, Mead Johnson Nutrition Co and Nestle SA, should put a halt to their practices for some time.

However in a few cities and states, the distribution of free samples of baby feed is banned and discouraged. But still, approximately 66% of the hospitals have been listed who are distributing these bags.

In a statement, the American Hospital Association announced that breast feeding is best for the infants but at last, the choice should be left with the mothers, as many of them can’t breast feed their infants.

The collected statistics show that about 14% of six-month infants are breast fed exclusively. However, the US expects that the portion should increase to 26% by 2020.

There are reforms attached with breastfeeding being implemented in the US. According to the reports presented by the World Health Organization regarding this issue, in order to bring about that rise in breastfeeding, the newborn babies are staying with their mothers in the hospital.