Breast feeding proponents believe formula freebies undermine efforts to encourage breast feeding and violate medical guidelines recommending that newborns be breast fed.
The study published in Pediatrics found, in 2007, only 14 percent of hospitals did not hand out formula. In 2007, that number went up to 28 percent.
But, still, the overwhelming majority of hospitals engage in the practice of free formula.
Breast feeding proponents say hospitals should not be used as a marketing tool by the formula companies.
