Eradicating reliance on free artificial milk.

Hospitals that set forth to obtain Baby-Friendly Hospital designation often face considerable challenges in implementing the purchase of formula and supplies at a fair market rate as outlined in the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. Some of the challenges include difficulty tracking products in use and volumes used and obtaining pricing information from manufacturers of artificial milk. We report on our experience with assessing these factors, with an example of calculations used to arrive at fair market pricing, which might benefit other institutions seeking Baby-Friendly Hospital designation.