Mass. Hospitals Will Stop Giving Out Free Infant Formula To New Moms

BOSTON (CBS) - Maternity wards across the state will no longer hand out free formula to new moms.

The goal is to get them to breast feed. Breast-feeding advocates say mothers who get formula samples are more likely to opt out of nursing.

Rhode Island hospitals made a similar move last year.

Formula manufacturers don't like it.

It hurts their bottom line, and they say nursing isn't always an option for women, especially those returning to work.

Pediatricians recommend mothers breast-feed exclusively for the first six months.