I got a visit from the Similac fairy today.

[Mothernature]

I remember this from the last time I was pregnant. It is so annoying on so many levels. You take a pregnant mom in her ninth month and send her free samples of your nasty BM substitute with pictures of babies and their mothers on the box and a letter that says she will be entered into your little formula club. What is that?

What makes me even more angry is that the mother and baby on the box are African American. As if this group needs to be further targeted for this kind of anti-mothering marketing!

I'm a little hot about this at the moment so I hope my thoughts are coherent and not coming across as insensitive. Shouldn't they wait until you request it before they send the free samples? I would think they could send a coupon for a free can. That would give you the choice of whether or not you even want it in your home. This package also has a pamphlet that sings the praises of breastfeeding, gives breastfeeding advice and then follows it up with why to choose their formula to supplement if you choose to. I think I'm going to send them a letter. I don't know how they found me anyway. I'm planning a UC birth and I'm not registered anywhere. I was trying to keep this pregnancy on the DL from these types of marketers. I swear they must have spies.

Thanks for listening to the vent.

[Quirky]

How did they find you? I made the strategic mistake during my pregnancy of giving in to the troll-like sales clerk at Motherhood Maternity and giving her my name and address. But if you haven't registered, haven't purchased clothes at Motherhood, haven't gone to an OB....

I would be annoyed too. But in all honesty they won't listen...why should they, when they have the head of the AAP working on their behalf to weaken the pro-breastfeeding public service campaign? :

Last time I got the free stuff I gave it to a friend who was nursing and supplementing. If I get any more I'll give it to a mama in need. Better than letting it go to waste if it's already too late to breastfeed, I guess.

[elelvee]

Good luck on your UC birth!!

I don't know how they got you. But maybe your friend honestly thought she could sign you up. (I'm seriously considering doing that, but it's for sea salt.) More likely, they got your name from 2,000 years ago or looked you up on Yahoo. There's no one who can hide from Yahoo. It's Big Brother's uncle.

There was one person who suggested returning the can. I'd do that, if it could be done for free.

[TiredX2]

There was one person who suggested returning the can. I'd do that, if it could be done for free.

No, don't give it back to them. Give it to someone who needs it (crisis centers or even vets).

Good luck,
Kay

[Geofizz]

Re: I got a visit from the Similac fairy today.

Originally posted by Mothernature
I swear they must have spies.

There's a Baby Blue's cartoon that suggest they listen in on baby monitor frequencies.

If I can find it quickly, I'll post it.

[Meiri]

Shouldn't they wait until you request it before they send the free samples?

Oh no, because requesting it would mean you were formula feeding and therefor a captive customer already.

They want their little can of sabotage in there for those of us not already supporting them.

Did someone send your name in as a sick joke?

If you're seeing an ob for prenatal while planning your UC, might he/she have sent your name in (a clear HIPPA violation btw)?

[MissinNYC]

I'm sorry to be dumb, but what is a "UC"? All I can think of is ""unchaperoned Childbirth?" I know that's not it. Just wondered.

[Mothernature]

UC stands for unassisted childbirth so you were actually dead on MissinNYC

There's a Baby Blue's cartoon that suggest they listen in on baby monitor frequencies.

:LOL I'd love to see that cartoon.

I made the strategic mistake during my pregnancy of giving in to the troll-like sales clerk at Motherhood Maternity and giving her my name and address.

I haven't seen a doc so that can't be it, but my former midwife may have been a bit PO'ed at me for leaving and going for a UC. That may be the culprit. I may have, but I doubt it, given the Motherhood scoundrals my info. I don't know-pregnant brain. I can't imagine that I would have let them get my info.

No, don't give it back to them. Give it to someone who needs it (crisis centers or even vets).

I do plan to give the formula to the local Family and Children's Services who plans to pick up some things early next week. If they can't use it, I'm sure they'll know who can.

So, should I write a letter?

[lilyka]

If you shopped at motherhood with a check or cc they could have gotton your information off of your check.

[Ame]

yes ! write them a letter ...I doubt they'll stop doing it BUT who knows.

I still get coupons and junk for formula...and I had a UC and didn't sign up for anything that I know of.

[Geofizz]

Ta Da!

http://www.babyblues.com/Testing/ind...ToDay=09/11/96

If that doesn't work, find the archives on www.babyblues.com, and it's the strip from 9/11/96.

[rareimer]

that's just creepy that they managed to find you.

i would write a letter for sure. donate the sample and write to let them know just how angry you are! and isn't that in violation of the WHO code...

[somemama]

On a related note, when I buy breast pads at the local supermarket, it "triggers" a coupon for formula. : Breastfeeding moms are a big potential market!!

[saintmom]

I didn't open mine.Wrote RETURN in big black letters and sent it back!