Hospital ethics in practice:  Banning discharge bags of artificial formula

The Ban the Bags Campaign

The Ban the Bag Campaign seeks to end the practice of giving new parents discharge bags that contain infant formula. Our work on this in Oregon is inspired and supported by a national Ban the Bag campaign.

Among other research, a new study by Oregon epidemiologist Dr. Ken Rosenberg shows these bags have a detrimental effect on breastfeeding duration and exclusivity.

When a health care provider hands out formula, it implies an endorsement of the product, including the particular brand, and undermines the breastfeeding support that was (hopefully) provided in the early hours and days after birth.

Portland, Oregon was the first place in the country to have all hospitals in the city limits be bag-free. Read the press release here.

Oregon challenge:  First bag-free state

Like the sound of that? It could soon be a reality.

  • 27 of the 51 birthing hospitals in Oregon have already banned the bag. We're over half way there!
  • For technical assistance or more information contact Amelia Psmythe, BCO Director | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Oregon bag-free hospitals

The Breastfeeding Coalition of Oregon celebrates the Oregon hospitals which have already banned the bag, and the others that are examining their practices in light of the conviction that hospitals should market health and nothing else.

  • Adventist Medical Center, Portland, Oregon
  • Ashland Community Hospital, Ashland, Oregon
  • Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center, Clackamas, Oregon
  • Legacy Emanuel Hospital and Health Center, Portland, Oregon
  • Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital and Medical Center, Portland, Oregon
  • Legacy Maternal Fetal Medicine Clinic, Portland, Oregon
  • Legacy Meridian Park Hospital, Tualatin, Oregon
  • Legacy Midwifery Clinic, Portland, Oregon
  • Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center , Gresham, Oregon
  • Mercy Medical Center - Roseburg, Oregon
  • McKenzie Willamette Hospital, Springfield Oregon
  • Mid-Columbia Medical Center - The Dalles, Oregon
  • Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
  • Oregon Health and Science University Doernbecher Neonatal Care Center, Portland, Oregon
  • PeaceHealth Nurse Midwifery Birth Center, Eugene, Oregon
  • Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital, Hood River, Oregon
  • Providence Medford Medical Center, Medford, Oregon
  • Providence Milwaukie Hospital, Milwaukie, Oregon
  • Providence Newberg Medical Center, Newberg, Oregon
  • Providence Portland Medical Center, Portland, Oregon
  • Providence Seaside Hospital, Seaside, Oregon
  • Providence Saint Vincent Medical Center, Portland, Oregon
  • Rogue Valley Medical Center, Medford, Oregon
  • Sacred Heart Medical Center, Eugene, Oregon
  • Saint Charles Medical Center-Bend, Bend, Oregon
  • Saint Charles Medical Center-Redmond, Redmond, Oregon
  • Salem Hospital – Salem, Oregon
  • Sky Lakes Medical Center -Klamath Falls, Oregon
  • Three Rivers Community Hospital, Grants Pass, Oregon
  • Willamette Valley Medical Center, McMinnville, Oregon

| Back to Top |