To be honest I would doubt the advice of the doctor in this article. In my experience and the experience of many others I know including the lactation consultant for our area, doctors and even Peads have little knowledge of breastfeeding. Also if the doctor had 'prescribed' the formula surely the mother would not have to ask for it? Sounds to me more like the doctor said something along the lines of 'it's up to you but if you are really worried you can top up with formula' I think the sheepishness from the nurses was probably more along the lines of 'oh dear here we go again..Dr whathisname has undermined a mother's confidence again'
Formula isn't poison but undermining a new breastfeeding mother's confidence by pushing it is wrong.