Tell me not to (or to?) do it.

[Contrariety]

I am freecycling some formula samples i got when DS was born... the girl who is coming to pick them up hasn't had her baby yet and wants to gather lots of formula to see which will work best.

I SO SO SO want to stick some literature in the box about BFing. that's wrong, right? or is it?

DH and my sis say I shouldn't.

What to do?

[queenbean]

Totally do it. Doesn't hurt a thing, and it might do some good.

But that's why I gave my samples to a food bank, to avoid just this issue. If it's going to some random person I'll never meet, it's easier for me to let it slide, but if I know who it's going to, even if it's a stranger, I always feel compelled to get all lactivist.

[Beckamomof4]

I WOULD! Maybe even speak to her abou thte benefits of breastfeeding, and maybe even offer to take her to a LLL meeting!

[Contrariety]

thanks for some affirmation! my sis thinks i'm too judgemental about BFing. and i definitely can be, so i want to make sure that this wouldn't be pushy. but i think that many women decide to FF because they aren't educated enough, KWIM?

i figure it can't hurt. i don't have anything handy... what's some good literature i can just print off and give this girl? i'm too big of a chicken to talk about it to her face.

101 reasons to breastfeed?

anything else?

[queenbean]

Look for some stuff on Kellymom.com, maybe drjacknewman.com. What I would do is maybe print out a couple of list-type articles, like the 101 reasons, and then include some links to some other good information that she can check out, as well as local LLL info.

I do'nt think it's too pushy. Giving the information is not "judgmental," it's just something that every mother deserves to have access to.

[Momtwice]

I think it would be irresponsible if you DIDN'T put info about breastfeeding in it since this is a pregnant mom deciding what to do. Truly.

[Contrariety]

okay... so i printed out 101 Reasons to Breastfeed. I also wrote her a quick note giving her my take on BFing with links to LLL, KellyMom, and Dr. Jack Newman.

I basically told her that if i hadn't been properly educated about BFing, i probably wouldn't have made the decision to, so i wanted to pass on all the helpful info that helped me make sure my baby got the best.

i hope it helps her!

thanks for your help, ladies!

[Momily]

I would just say something, like "you know the reason I never used these is because I breastfed my child. For us it was a wonderful choice, for lots of reasons, not the least of which is that formula's expensive. If you're interested at all in breastfeeding, I'd be happy to help. Here's my phone number and email if you want to think about it".

[wannabe]

Don't do it, tell her your SIL decided she needed it instead.

Give the samples to someone who HAS to formula feed, don't be the pawn of the formula comapnies sabotaging this woman's chance to BF.

[eclipse]

I wouldn't freecycle them to a pregnant woman. I just wouldn't do it.

[BCFD]

Unless you know this woman's reasons for ff, I wouldn't do it. Maybe there is a medical issue that she simply must ff out of necessity. I would find out before she lands on your doorstep.

[Momily]

I disagree with the people saying not to do it. If she's this determined to ff that she's freecycling formula while still pregnant, saying "oops it's not available" isn't going to stop her. However, taking the time to befriend her and share some info when she stops by might.

[queenbean]

I agree -- if she's asking for formula, what's the good in preventing her from getting some for free? I see no reason to withhold it. Adding in the information though can't be a bad thing, especially if it's approached the right way. I posted a thread (Friday, I think) about Freecycling some baby stuff to a woman who was asking for bottles and formula coupons, asking if I should address the issue, and got some fantastic advice. I ended up emailing her and telling her what baby stuff I had, and that I had no bottles because I breastfed, and made a comment about how we initially made that choice because it's so much cheaper. I approached it in a friendly manner, and it was well-received. I may not have changed her mind, but I did my best without being offensive. It IS possible to be supportive of another mother and respectful of her choices while at the same time trying to give her information to help her make a more informed decision about things as important as this.

[BCFD]

Originally Posted by BCFD

Unless you know this woman's reasons for ff, I wouldn't do it. Maybe there is a medical issue that she simply must ff out of necessity. I would find out before she lands on your doorstep.

Again, do you know if she's choosing to ff? Or is it a medical necessity? Maybe she has a medical issue. I would say that if it's a choice, absolutely give her information and try to educate her. FIND OUT FIRST!

[queenbean]

Originally Posted by BCFD

Again, do you know if she's choosing to ff? Or is it a medical necessity? Maybe she has a medical issue. I would say that if it's a choice, absolutely give her information and try to educate her. FIND OUT FIRST!

But as someone told me in my thread, she's under no obligation to tell you her medical history, and it's really nobody's business. If it's presented the right way, it won't be offensive to her if there's a true medical reason not to breastfeed.

[annettemarie]

It's outside of the scope of the Lactivism forum to advocate giving away formula:

Mothering Magazine and MDC have a strong commitment to the World Health Organization’s International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, which recognizes that advertising formula reduces the number of children that are breastfed and the duration of breastfeeding. The purpose of the code is "contribute to the provision of safe and adequate nutrition for infants, by the protection and promotion of breast-feeding, and by ensuring the proper use of breast-milk substitutes, when these are necessary, on the basis of adequate information and through appropriate marketing and distribution." Keeping this in mind, advocating formula feeding by choice is not permitted on the Lactivism board or any other forum at MDC. Additionally, advocating the redistributing or selling of formula coupons, samples, or other freebies is strongly discouraged.

[BCFD]

Originally Posted by queenbean

But as someone told me in my thread, she's under no obligation to tell you her medical history, and it's really nobody's business. If it's presented the right way, it won't be offensive to her if there's a true medical reason not to breastfeed.

Hmm...I'm not so sure about the offensive part. I'd probably steer clear and just not give it to her. Probably better to donate it to an adoptive or foster mom.

[Ruthla]

I don't think there's anything innapropriate about including some BF info along with the formula samples. If she has a medical reason not to BF, then she won't BF.

I would never give formula samples away on Freecycle though, to avoid putting myself in this position.

[_betsy_]

I agree with Momily.

As I understand it, the OP did NOT post the samples to her local Freecycle list, rather, someone posted seeking them. From another thread, I remember the OP has had some interaction with this young mom-to-be and has found that she is not opposed to BFing, but is gathering samples "just in case."

[carriebft]

go for it, mama. If done tastefully, as you have gotten a lot of advice on, it can be listened to or ignored without offense.

think of it this way, in those formula samples many moms get at the hospital, there is often a formula-sponspored booklet on breastfeeding (which, of course, is usually full of lies and advice on how to wean). But THEY do it...formula companies do it! (not that im saying we should BE LIKE THEM...but adding in breastfeeding info with samples is not a new idea)

And your info will at least be factually accurate and nicely presented.