What would you do? This lactivist made a boo boo - Page 2

[Peppamint]

I wanted to add... the reasoning behind FreeCycle is to keep things from the Landfill, but then again I feel like giving free formula to people also perpetuates formula use which in turn creates even MORE garbage. Like a never-ending cycle in a way. But like others have mentioned in previous FreeCycle threads, often the baby is already formula-fed (although not in this case).

Personally, I guess I might give it to her with some GOOD accurate breastfeeding info that includes the dangers of formula.

[LandonsMom]

I also had some and was planning to give to a mom who was already using it. (I would also feel wierd giving to a mom expecting a newborn when i feel so strongly about breastfeeding!!) But before I could donate it, my brothers dog got into the lot of it and ate most of it up!! Nikki (the dog) broke through the seal and made a mess of it and lapped up the powder! Strange huh?? I guess I wasnt supposed to be helping another mom give her baby formula!!!

Whatever you decide, dont second guess yourself!!

[Momtwice]

bump

[guestmama9924]

Originally Posted by annettemarie

The animal shelters around here WON'T take it for animals. It isn't good enough.

If you search this forum using the word "freecycle" you'll find lots of threads that deal with this topic!

whew! thanks for saying that! Never donate formula to foodbanks for people OR animals! It is inferior for animals, and food banks are not qualified to determine who needs what or to look at lot #'s expirations, etc. Speaking from the hurricane belt, people dump all kinds of formula at the donation centers- used cans, expired lots.. and you know what? Most volunteers at the these places just take it and hand it over. No instructions to mom on safe handling.etc. Ok /rant...as an LC and a full time student in lactation this is a big issue for me!

As for the OP question, I would simply say that you are deciding not to give it away because you cannot vouch for the safety of the product ( which is true.)
As for all the food bank dumping, they usually end up giving the formula to the pregnant and nursing mothers ( this is the case in Indonesia right now...).

[thismama]

I think it is ridiculous to not donate formula to food banks. Expired stuff.. sure... just like you wouldn't donate expired food for adults. But I don't see any holier-than-thou threads encouraging people to not donate Alphaghetti to food banks because it is crap.

If you don't want to donate crappy formula, buy better formula and donate it. But let's not condescend to people for whom regular old crappy formula helps get you through. Babies do better on formula than nothing at all.

It's hard to hear about useful food going to waste because somebody's standards are too high to donate it.

[Momtwice]

This is an old thread, one of two I bumped up because of the recent debate about freecycle/formula (as I posted on the recent thread.)

[guestmama9924]

Originally Posted by thismama

I think it is ridiculous to not donate formula to food banks. Expired stuff.. sure... just like you wouldn't donate expired food for adults. But I don't see any holier-than-thou threads encouraging people to not donate Alphaghetti to food banks because it is crap.

my "holier than thou" is not because it is inferior : nor did I say that. I said it is inferior for pets ie: not nutritional complete for animals. okie dokey?

Food banks don't look at expirations and often people do not know if they are donating a recalled lot, and workers don't check that. Specifically I was thinking of the mom needed specially digested formula being given soy and so forth.

Leave the baby feeding to the trained health workers and leave the donations to the companies. They send huge amounts of formula where ever it is needed. That was (obviously missed) point.

[thismama]

Originally Posted by KeysMama

Leave the baby feeding to the trained health workers and leave the donations to the companies. They send huge amounts of formula where ever it is needed. That was (obviously missed) point.

They send huge amounts of formula wherever they feel it will result in profits for them.

The food bank is not one of those places.

In fact, formula is one of the food items at food banks that is usually in much shorter supply than needed. It is one of the most needed items you can donate.

[annettemarie]

Originally Posted by thismama

I think it is ridiculous to not donate formula to food banks. Expired stuff.. sure... just like you wouldn't donate expired food for adults. But I don't see any holier-than-thou threads encouraging people to not donate Alphaghetti to food banks because it is crap.

If you don't want to donate crappy formula, buy better formula and donate it. But let's not condescend to people for whom regular old crappy formula helps get you through. Babies do better on formula than nothing at all.

It's hard to hear about useful food going to waste because somebody's standards are too high to donate it.

Wow. I have to say it is really hurtful to have strong opinions or convictions passed off as "holier than thou" attitudes.

[thismama]

I'm trying to speak to my belief that it is sheltered to pass judgment about formula, and not donate it to food banks as a form of activism.

I think it is decidedly un-activist, as it targets the wrong people, who suffer real consequences.

This issue hits home for me because I have both used and worked in places that have food banks. I know the need is real. I know what crap quality of food gets donated.

If you want to be activist, buy better formula and donate it. Otherwise, leave the food banks alone and fight the battle against Nestle and formula corporations where it matters.

[DBZ]

I had to use a food bank a couple of times last year. They always had baby formula and it was always Carnation Good Start. Judging by the amount they had someone either donated their stockpile or Carnation gave it to them. I didn't like them giving out formula, not because it meant a mom wasn't BFing, but because when you FF you are supposed to used the same formula all the time. FF babies a lot of times wil get sick when they are switched. Also, most moms who go to a food bank get food stamps and WIC, so they should be all set formula wise. Your better off giving the stuff away on freecycle so it helps someone who falls through the cracks...as in they make too much for food stamps, but not enough to survive. If where it goes stresses you out too much then take it back to the store or throw it out.

[thismama]

Here in Canada we don't have WIC.

[beanma]

cutekid, what did you end up doing? i like zelda'smom's reply...

[annettemarie]

Originally Posted by thismama

I'm trying to speak to my belief that it is sheltered to pass judgment about formula, and not donate it to food banks as a form of activism.

I think it is decidedly un-activist, as it targets the wrong people, who suffer real consequences.

This issue hits home for me because I have both used and worked in places that have food banks. I know the need is real. I know what crap quality of food gets donated.

If you want to be activist, buy better formula and donate it. Otherwise, leave the food banks alone and fight the battle against Nestle and formula corporations where it matters.

That is fine, and it is your opinion, and you have obviously thought long and hard about it.

My opinion is that the potential harm of donating formula to food banks where it may be a deciding factor in whether or not a woman breastfeeds outweighs the potential benefits. We practically lived on the seminary food bank for four years. I know the crap that gets donated- there was a huge case of dented cans of beets that was there when we started, and still there when we left- but I don't see how donating formula helps increase the quality of food bank donations.

If formula comes to me, I send it back. I didn't ask to be part of the whole formula industry, and I don't consider it to be my moral duty to pass the formula along to someone else. That's my opinion, and my conviction.

[guestmama9924]

Originally Posted by DBZ

I Judging by the amount they had someone either donated their stockpile or Carnation gave it to them. I didn't like them giving out formula, not because it meant a mom wasn't BFing, but because when you FF you are supposed to used the same formula all the time.

yes, that was my point. thismama, since you know NOTHING about me or my own feeding choices with my babies, I will say that I agree with you, the babies need to be fed, and often can get short changed in times of crises. It is a tough dilema!

Trust people to donate good stuff and then trust volunteers ( non-health folks) to hand it out judiciously? that just does not happen ,sadly. There does need to be a good solution though, but it is not by encouraging consumer donations to volunteer groups.

[guestmama9924]

Originally Posted by thismama

If you want to be activist, buy better formula and donate it. Otherwise, leave the food banks alone and fight the battle against Nestle and formula corporations where it matters.

but even off brands are made by the big companies, and even the expensive stuff gets recalled kwim? I work in my area during the hurricanes, and get goods to the outlying islands in the Caribbean and when someone gives formula, I usually ask if they would mind giving money to PURCHASE the baby foods and formulas instead. This has been a good solution in my area. It is not lactivism, it is health for vulnerable populations. And the food banks I deal with are usually overloaded with formula, although I guess it can vary depending on situation.

[Peppamint]

I'm supposed to buy formula to donate to shelters? You have got to be kidding me.

[thismama]

Originally Posted by busybusymomma

I'm supposed to buy formula to donate to shelters? You have got to be kidding me.

That's not what I'm saying.

AM - If you want to send formula back to the company, I think that's a good strategy too.

I'm just saying let's not refrain from donating formula to food banks and call it activism.

[Overtheriver]

Just a comment on AM's response- RIGHT ON!! Send it back... and do it right at your mailbox- write "Shipment Refused- Return to sender" or something like that on it... then it goes back to the maker at their expense.

oh...and i once tried to feed some premix liquid formula to my dogs and cats and they would not even touch it.

I also don't think that food banks are the right place to donate formula- the burden of the lack of breastfeeding should not be borne by private citizens when our government refuses to legislate helpful measures like the WHO code that would have protected those underprivleged women and children from the influences of formula marketing. As long as they refuse to enforce the code- they (govt agencies) need to carry the burden of their corporate prefrences and pay up.

I used to work in a ghetto and in november you could buy cheap frozen thanksgiving turkeys from crackheads for $10 (if you wanted one) ... thank you very much "free store" I have no doubt that there is a secondary market for baby formula as it is such a hot commodity. I think if there is a shortage of formula at the food banks- it's because many people are taking itfor free and selling it so they can buy other things. It's like money.

If formula is supplied at below market value by the companies- they are roping people into a dependence of a product they can not afford. If it is provided free they are simply inviting people to exploit the system for personal gain.