Media Release
17 October 2003

PC Tentacles Reach Into Maternity Wards

“The requirement by the Ministry of Health that all maternity hospitals become accredited baby-friendly hospitals and thereby undertake to give newborn infants no food or drink other than breast milk unless medically indicated is another example of political correctness gone mad” said Barbara Stewart, New Zealand First’s spokesperson for Family Issues.

This follows the report of a baby in Christchurch being admitted to hospital five days after birth suffering from dehydration and hypothermia after failing to thrive.

“The choice of breastfeeding versus bottle feeding has always been a matter of debate but surely the final choice should rest with the mother, said Mrs Stewart.

“It appears that in this instance, and possibly others, health professionals and Nanny State in the guise of the Ministry of Health have decided that they know best.”

“The welfare of children, especially newborn babies, should be paramount and if this means conceding that some babies will do well on formula then the wishes of the mother should take precedence” said Mrs Stewart.

ENDS

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