Formula samples in the mail-- what to do?

[MaterPrimaePuellae]

I keep getting enfamil samples in the mail. Per the box:

'The truth is, [cow's] milk lacks some key nutrients toddlers need. Next Step Lipil gives you a better alternative. 9-24 months."

So, not only are they pushing formula, but are also implying that 9 mo olds should be drinking either cow's milk or formula?

I was getting ready to make "Return to sender" and write "baby is breastfed" on the box... but then I thought:
1) probably they have contracted the shipping out to a company who does not care at all what my baby eats
2) wouldn't it be better to give this formula to another mom so that she does't pay for a can? (if she's going to be buying it anyway?) If what enfamil cares about is making money, then the most "lactivist" thing to do is to cost them the most, right? What do you think?

Bethany

[PatioGardener]

I'd send it back, and call them to tell them they are breaking the code and to take my name off their list.

[CallMeKelly]

http://www.ibfan.org/site2005/Pages/...t_id=418&iui=1
report it here but I would give them away on Craigslist rather than send them back.

[punkrawkmama27]

I had no idea you could report them. I used to get a can a month! I was going to donate them to a shelter for women, but then my sister got pregnant and despite my best attempts to tell her how much better and healthier, safer..ect breastmilk is, she decided it was easier to bottle feed. She complained about the cost of formula to me, so I just gave her the powdered formula. That should last what, 2 days?

[KirstenMary]

Donate it to a shelter.

[boheime]

If you mark it return to sender, the post office will just trash it - the company won't end up paying for it. I recommend donating it to a low supply or adoptive mom - someone who supports breastfeeding and wishes she didn't have to supplement but is trying her best to nurse her babies. I'm a low supply mom and use Lact-Aids to supplement. I hate buying formula, even though it keeps my children alive. With my third, enough friends gave us samples they had received that we had enough supplement for LAs to last a month - so I didn't have to face buying it right away. It was helpful, since facing the emotional aspects of being a low supply mom continually crop up no matter how much I think I have gotten over it.

[jeliphish]

Donate them to your local social services

[Mrs-Mama]

Originally Posted by KylieLove06

Donate them to your local social services

:

That's what I did with the formula samples I received.

[MarcyC]

Either donate it to a shelter or social services. Social services is called if there is a domestic problem and children are removed from the care of their parents. I can see formula really being needed then. Also, take a visit over to our breastfeeding challenges forum here at MDC. There are plenty of SNS and Lact-Aid users there using (sadly) formula. Despite some people's best efforts to nurse, they must use formula in their supplemental nursing devices. You could also do a google search for adoptive nursing and see if there is a way to donate formula to those mamas using an SNS or Lact-Aid. In an odd way, your formula could help the lactivism cause!

[Deir]

How about an adoption agency or local adoptive parents group? That would make me feel better.

[miss_sonja]

Donate it somewhere it won't sabatoge a nursing relationship, so foster home or adoption agency. Or trash it:-(

Try and get off their list if you can. I would hate to have formula arrive. It only happened once, when I was expecting DD1...I think it was that maternity clothes store that did it...

[MaterPrimaePuellae]

Thanks for the great advice. I'll post over on Breastfeeding Challenges

Bethany

[annettemarie]

Sorry, mamas, but Mothering Magazine is a strong advocate of the WHO Code. As such, there is no place on these boards where it would be appropriate to offer formula. Feel free to PM me with any questions.

[funkygranolamama]

return to sender?

[MaterPrimaePuellae]

I would return to sender, but as previous posters have said, the post office will just trash the cans. I'll be trying to find an adoption/foster agency in town where i can drop them off.
thanks for the suggestions, everyone!

Bethany

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by boheime

If you mark it return to sender, the post office will just trash it - the company won't end up paying for it.

Does anyone know if this is true for all countries? Canada? USA? UK? France? Anywhere else?

Thanks.

[waylonsmama]

I use to get a can a month when ds was just born. I called up the company and told them that ds was ebf and that they were breaking the who code and to stop sending me formula. I never received another can.