Evidence overwhelmingly supports the extensive health, nutritional, immunologic, developmental, psychological, social, economic and environmental benefits breastfeeding children. However breastmil substitutes are still being pushed to new and vulnerable mothers on a daily basis. New York recently set precedence to stop all free formula gift bags aimed at new mothers in the hospital. Instead, of the formula freebie bags new mothers will each be given a breast-milk bottle cooler, nursing pads, breastfeeding information, and a baby T-shirt with the slogan “I Eat at Mom’s”.

 
Breastfeeding support will be available for new mothers to aid in initiation of breastfeeding as soon as possible. The hospitals will also be giving out free breast pumps to mothers who request them. Mothers who have newborn babies that must remain under care in the hospital may request hospital grade pumps as well. However, it is important to point out that if a woman gives birth in any New York City hospital she may still request formula for her new baby.  According to the website banthebags.org many other hospitals have stopped distributing formula freebie bags.  This step by New York is the first pro-breastfeeding freebie for new mothers.