In an attempt to promote breastfeeding, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is pushing hospital staff to lock up their baby formula. Restricting access to infant formula is just one part of the city Health Department’s “Latch On NYC” initiative, which, according to the New York Post, will be “the most restrictive pro-breast-milk program in the nation.” Under the initiative, hospital staff will not be feeding infants with formula unless it’s medically necessary and documented. Participating hospitals will also track the amount of infant formula in stock and in use, and will get rid of infant formula promotional material.

Twenty-seven of the city’s 40 hospitals are taking part in “Latch On NYC,” and some hospitals are already implementing the initiative.

Although new moms will not be denied formula, gaining access to it will be far from simple. Moms will be informed about the health advantages of breastfeeding before being given any formula.

Many of the benefits of breastfeeding are well documented. Studies show it has a protective effect on infant health by lowering the risk of ear, respiratory and stomach infections, as well as asthma. In moms, breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

Nevertheless, it’s quite common for new moms to decide to use the bottle—for personal, health and career reasons. In a country where many of our workplaces (and public places, for that matter) aren’t nursing-friendly, it can be confusing to understand the pressure for women to breastfeed. Do the health benefits outweigh your right to choose—without guilt—between breastfeeding and the bottle? Should hospital access to formula be difficult? Let us know what you think in the comments below!