New York, NY (August 9, 2007) - The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) recently announced that it will exclude free baby formula samples from gift bags to new mothers, believing that the health benefits of nursing newborns are tremendous and that it has a responsibility to discourage the use of formula. A new national poll conducted for iVillage by GfK Roper Public Affairs and Media has found that 54 percent of Americans disagree with the recent decisions to ban baby formula in the gift bags given to new moms in public hospitals.

"The findings from our poll highlight one of the bigger controversies surrounding new moms today," said Jennie Baird, Senior Vice President & Editor-in-Chief for iVillage Lifestyles. "It is clear from our results that Americans are concerned with actions taken by hospitals and feel more comfortable making the decisions in their own newborn's health."

Women are particularly against this idea, with six in ten saying they disagree with the ban on baby formula provided in gift bags for new mothers.

The results also revealed a larger than expected percentage of those that agreed with the ban. 38 percent of Americans polled think it is a necessary step to promote the practice of breast feeding. Four in ten Americans agree, particularly men who are significantly more likely than women to agree with the action.