Unsolicited formula samples, etc.

[babygirlsmama]

What do you do about this? So far, I've only gotten one package mailed to my home of formula, but I've also gotten Enfamil mailings (coupons, I presume?).

For all of it, I have crossed out the address, written "refused," and returned it to the post office so they have to return it to the company. I also wrote "Breast is Best," on the package just as my small act of rebellion.
I considered donating it to some food bank, but I just didn't want to accidentally encourage someone to use formula when they would otherwise be successfully breastfeeding.

The funny thing is that my husband dropped the package off at the post office and ended up getting into a long discussion with the postal worker about how he (the postal worker) was breastfed and is a strong supporter of it! Funny!

Anyway, wondering what other ideas there are to deal with the unsolicited formula.

[_ktg_]

I donate the samples and coupons to food banks, pantries and women's shelters to help with the demand from families who may rely on these goods and are unable to purchase them.

ETA: I just re-read your post, and I do not consider my providing these samples to banks as a promotion of formula feeding vs. breast from me. There are many examples of women who have tried BF'ing and for whatever issue are unable. For me - this is a product I do not use, but I can not stand/tolerate throwing it away when there is a need in my community, hence my decision to donate.

[GoldmanBaby09]

Make sure you call Enfamil and tell them you do not want to recieve anything further and to take your name off their list. Motherhood Maternity sold them my info and they send me tons of stuff! It didn't stop until I called.

[proudmomof4]

_ktg_, I think it's wonderful that you're passing it on to someone in need. (Always be wary of expiration dates in that case, everyone!)

Having said that, it doesn't change the fact that the company in question mailed out an unsolicited sample which is against the WHO Code. Many mothers will opt to keep such a sample "just in case" and it might even add to pressure by partners, grandparents etc.

There are no "free" samples, those come with a big price tag.

[crunchy_mommy]

Originally Posted by proudmomof4

Many mothers will opt to keep such a sample "just in case" and it might even add to pressure by partners, grandparents etc.

Very true. I kept some samples and a sample bottle "just in case" too... luckily for us, "just in case" meant in case of some tragedy like me getting in a car accident or something, but I know for many others it's a first resort, not a last one. Now that DS is 11 mos and eating enough solids to buy DH a few hours if necessary in an emergency, we gave away the (unexpired) cans... and any new ones we get... on Freecycle. I don't think it's encouraging women not to BF because the people I'm giving it to already are FF. Plus I like the idea of wasting the formula company's money lol I also give away formula coupons on Freecycle... They tend not to send the coupons & samples to the FF moms anyway so they really appreciate it. Sending it back to the company is just a waste of postal resources IMO. I suppose I really should be doing SOMETHING like call the formula company or something...

[smpayne]

Find some foster or adoptive parents in your area that have no other choice than to use formula for thier babies and donate the free samples to them.

At least if the formula company is sending the stuff to you, you have the power and discression to see it is used properly.

[DangerMom]

I have donated all our freebie formula to my local Head Start food pantry.
I don't feel that I am encouraging formula feeding in doing so, because as I have seen from volunteering at family shelters, most of the residents don't breastfeed anyway (which makes me really sad, but that's for another post and involves a host of issues outside the scope of this thread).

[ASusan]

Domestic violence shelter, along with the formula company diaper bag I received at the hospital. (It was a nice black one, no logo.)

[Comtessa]

I pulled the formula logo off the diaper bag we received. I keep meaning to replace it with a patch of the International Breastfeeding Logo.

The formula samples and bottles all went to a local crisis nursery - I figured since those babies are there because they had to be removed from their mothers, they certainly aren't being breastfed. The disposable diapers we got from the hospital went there, too.

The worst Enfamil marketing I got was a mailing right before my due date that had all sorts of "helpful hints" about things to bring to the hospital to have my baby. Including an Enfamil-logo "crib card" with blank spaces for baby's name & vitals that you'll "need" to put on the baby's hospital bassinet. (Not-so-subtle message: the hospital will lose your baby if you don't label it. The baby formula company cares more about your baby than the scary hospital does. And if the hospital staff interprets the Enfamil "crib card" as being tacit parental permission to give the baby formula, well, so much the better...)

I sent it back to the company accompanied by a scathing letter. I haven't received anything from them since!

[_ktg_]

Originally Posted by proudmomof4

_ktg_, I think it's wonderful that you're passing it on to someone in need. (Always be wary of expiration dates in that case, everyone!)

Having said that, it doesn't change the fact that the company in question mailed out an unsolicited sample which is against the WHO Code. Many mothers will opt to keep such a sample "just in case" and it might even add to pressure by partners, grandparents etc.

There are no "free" samples, those come with a big price tag.

I agree 100% with you proudmomof4 - especially the big price tag. Reducing it goes hand in hand with the idea of education, outreach & promotion for not only mothers, but partners, grandparents and *gasp* employers/corporations.