Bag Free in the Bay State

Abstract

Abstract

Background:

The deleterious effect of formula company–sponsored discharge bags on breastfeeding is well established. As of July 2012, all 49 maternity facilities in Massachusetts had banned these bags, making it the second “bag-free” state in the United States. Obstacles to changing this long-standing practice were numerous, including concerns regarding the cost of a substitute gift. This study was designed to describe what practices maternity facilities in Massachusetts have adopted in place of giving out a formula company–sponsored discharge bag.

Materials and Methods:

Maternity facilities in Massachusetts were surveyed regarding discharge gift practices. Information was collected regarding gifts given and cost.

Results:

The response rate was 100%. Fifty-nine percent of the facilities replaced the formula company–sponsored bag with their own gift bag carrying the hospital's logo. Bags were either given empty or contained educational materials and/or a gift such as a T-shirt, hat, or baby book. Fourteen percent of the facilities gave a gift that did not include a bag. Twenty-seven percent of facilities gave no gift. Cost of the gifts ranged from $1 to $35, with a mean cost of $10.67. The hospital budget was used to partially or fully fund 58% of gifts; 22% were covered in part by donations.

Conclusions:

Although most maternity facilities surveyed replaced the formula company–sponsored discharge bag with a different gift, one-quarter gave no replacement. These data indicate that discontinuing discharge gifts can be a readily accepted, cost-neutral step toward evidence-based breastfeeding best practice.