Formula Companies Are Awful

[Leta]

Okay, I'm going to be scorchingly honest here, so please don't flame me.

When I was pregnant with DD, I got a ton of formula samples from the OB and hospital. I checked out eBay because I was thinking of selling them. (The shipping was expensive, so I just donated them to a food bank.) In the process of doing this, I noticed that formula checks went for big money. So I signed up for the "clubs" of all three formula companies, and said that I was bottlefeeding (yeah, I lied) to get formula checks to sell on eBay.

Well, many months passed, and I got exactly one formula check, for the "older baby" (9-24 months) formula.

Then I read on MDC that the formula companies only send out promotional packages to breastfeeding moms. So I went and signed up again, only this time I said I was expecting again (another lie) and planned to breastfeed.

Within weeks, I got multiple formula checks, for any formula, plus formula samples (big cans) and all kinds of other promotional materials.

WTF?!

How is this allowed? Is it legal? It is so unethical! Even an admitted liar thinks it is unethical! Is there anything I can do about it?

It is sick sick sick to me that the formula companies DON'T help out moms that are ffing so they can target moms that are bfing.

I did not hold them in high esteem before, but now I think formula companies are right up there with tobacco companies.

[beckyand3littlemonsters]

I would like to say i'm surprised but i'm not formula companys are greedy and don't actually care about the babies they just see MONEY and the more pregnant women choose formula over breastfeeding the more money they make. :

[sunshinestarr]

:

[snowbunny]

Oh yeah ... I got TONS of samples and checks. All told, I probably received at least 8-10 cans of formula during DS's first year.

But what really drives me nuts is the formula coupons that spit out of the register when you buy breast milk storage bags.

[Momtwice]

It is legal in the USA, but illegal in some other countries. In countries where the WHO Code* is law it is illegal.

*World Health Organization Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes

[jessjgh1]

A sad thought that I have is that if this secret is exposed the only thing that is going to happen is that the formula companies will blame the supermarkets for TAKING the checks and transferring checks to other mothers will stop (or become black market).

I've posted before on this same subject- finding out that other breastfeeders were targeted with formula samples (in fact, those that check 'considering both' do seem to get the most). So I agree with your theory.

I'm very fortunate to have found good breastfeeding info on other board before I foudn MDC because I realized that I needed to establish breastfeeding and avoid the bottle, despite all the free stuff and promotional information. Most of the promotional information would lead one to believe that you can do both from day 1- however, somewhere there is always the information to cover their butt, but this is not usually the highlighted info.

In the end, I donated all my checks (and formula samples) to a social service organization. I didn't think they could use the checks but I was told that the social workers would be able to use them to buy formula for the organization- then they would distribute that to the families that needed it.

The social worker mentioned that they never had problems cashing the checks even though most of the checks do say that it is supposed to be just for the person on the check. Adn that many of their clients got donated checks and had never had a problem cashign them in themselves.

It is certainly unethical and violates the WHO standards but our government has not accepted the WHO standards-- which is a shame. The more women choose formula over breastfeeding the more money formula companies to lobby politicians.

Another thing to be outraged about.

Jessica

[intorainbowz]

Originally Posted by snowbunny

Oh yeah ... I got TONS of samples and checks. All told, I probably received at least 8-10 cans of formula during DS's first year.

But what really drives me nuts is the formula coupons that spit out of the register when you buy breast milk storage bags.

I purposely signed up for all these as well to give the checks to SIL who is adopting.

I complain EVERY time I get formula coupons when I purchase breast milk bags. The checker said she actually hears that a lot and offers to throw the coupon away.

Obviously the formula companies know they already have a captive consumer in a FF mom. To grow their company base, they need to recruit more, meaning convert breast feeders to FF.

[beckyand3littlemonsters]

Originally Posted by snowbunny

Oh yeah ... I got TONS of samples and checks. All told, I probably received at least 8-10 cans of formula during DS's first year.

But what really drives me nuts is the formula coupons that spit out of the register when you buy breast milk storage bags.

all i got was leaflets about milestones, breastfeeding etc and a money off coupin for follow on milk which was filled accordinley , but as far as i know there not allowed to give out free formula (well infant formula anyway) although they do get around that by advertising follow on milk and giveing out free samples of follow on milk in the bounty and emmas diary gift packs

[Sagesgirl]

I've gotten exactly one formula check in my life. I didn't sign up for anything specifically, nor would I. In fact, I have to wonder for any planning-to-nurse mama who signs up for whatever with a formula company. It certainly never occurred to me to do so.

[Pernwebgoddess]

There's nothing illegal about a company sending information about their products to someone who voluntarily signs up for their list.

I wish that unsolicited advertising were illegal, but why on earth are you complaining that a company sent you information when you are the one that signed up for it?

[my3peanuts]

Originally Posted by Pernwebgoddess

There's nothing illegal about a company sending information about their products to someone who voluntarily signs up for their list.

I wish that unsolicited advertising were illegal, but why on earth are you complaining that a company sent you information when you are the one that signed up for it?

That's true. At first I was in agreement with you but actually this makes sense. If you're signing up then you're obviously expecting to be sent something!

OTOH, it does make sense that they are 'recruiting' and would make more sense to send a FF mother the coupons vs. a breastfeeding mother.

I signed up for them even though I was BF'ing and I was surprised they actually sent me anything because I checked that I was breastfeeding.

[TheBluebird]

Originally Posted by intorainbowz

Obviously the formula companies know they already have a captive consumer in a FF mom. To grow their company base, they need to recruit more, meaning convert breast feeders to FF.

Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner.

I am disgusted. :

[julie128]

And if you say you are adopting, and are 99.9% likely to ff, they send nothing.


I had a thought today: I wonder if hospitals that receive lots of money from formula companies have higher cesarian and induction rates, since cesarians and inductions often lead to problems breastfeeding. How could I research that?

[homewithtwinsmama]

getting formula

When I was prego 10 years ago the first time with twins I was sent two full cases of Formula in the male. I was so mad!!!! I hadn't signed up for a thing. I think my first OB signed me up (I changed later). Then I received dozens of coupons in the mail for samples or free formula or money off. I refused to even donate it. I opened every can and dumped it down the drain.

Lorrie

[Viola]

Originally Posted by Leta

How is this allowed? Is it legal? It is so unethical! Even an admitted liar thinks it is unethical! Is there anything I can do about it?

This cracked me up. Thanks for telling your story. I always hear things like this and I assume they are true, but it is nice to hear firsthand accounts.

[Viola]

Originally Posted by Pernwebgoddess

I wish that unsolicited advertising were illegal, but why on earth are you complaining that a company sent you information when you are the one that signed up for it?

She is outraged about the focus of their marketing and is giving us a concrete example of how it played out.

I personally did not sign up for anything, figuring if I was going to breastfeed, I didn't need to fill out that form at the OB's office. But I will admit I had it half filled out the first time because I saw it there at the check-out desk and thought I was supposed to sign it. When it came time to check the box for breast or bottle, I figured I would get stuff if I filled out breast and I didn't want it, so I thoroughly scratched my name and address off the form.

[moppity]

Originally Posted by Momtwice

It is legal in the USA, but illegal in some other countries. In countries where the WHO Code* is law it is illegal.

*World Health Organization Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes

Glad to live in one of them too

[GoddessKristie]

I'm glad you posted this. I had been meaning to make a similar post but hadn't gotten to it yet. Last week I recieved a LARGE box in the mail with formula samples and checks (unsolicited). On top of them was a booklet about breastfeeding that said everything you'd want to hear about how great breastfeeding is for your baby, but they followed that up with how great their formula is and gave me so many samples! I was really upset about it because it was obvious they were trying to play moms for fools "breast is the best, but here's some temptation to make it hard for you."
UGH.
I hate formula companies too.

[Leta]

Originally Posted by Viola

She is outraged about the focus of their marketing and is giving us a concrete example of how it played out.

Thanks, Viola.

[nakagain]

I was at the clinic yesterday to get bloodwork and a newly pregnant mom walk in with an "Expecting Bag" from Similac. It was full of all sorts of crap I'm sure and they only give you the bag when you fill out that form at the OB's office. I know because I got my meds for my pregnancy from that same OB and when I filled out the paperwork I left the free sample paperwork on the receptionist's desk.

It's really horrible and if it wasn't for such a strong hold they have on the government I would say someone or something needs to step in about it.

Speaking of government...I wrote Presidential hopeful Mit Romeny about a growing group of non supporters who won't elect him solely based on his actions with breastfeeding samples and hospitals in MA. As someone who has worked under him..hes a great guy and has high hopes to change the healthcare system in the US and I really hope he listens.