What to do with Formula sample? - Page 2

[alegna]

Originally Posted by G8P4

I think that, because "free samples” of formula have the potential to permanently displace breastfeeding, anyone who “gives away” samples has a moral obligation to provide formula for the entire duration of feeding for the baby that receives the donated formula. If you are not willing to do that, I say, return the formula to the sender. You may think it’s a kind thing to give away formula, but in my opinion, it is not. Nothing is “free”, least of all “free” formula samples.

In general I agree with you, but, the situation below is the type of situation where I would consider donating.

Originally Posted by mommyddeville

Please consider donating formula samples to Child Protective Service, or whatever the organization is called in your area. I'm a foster parent, and I've had children come into my care in the middle of the night. No matter what I think about formula, I have to feed the babies I receive (I only take babies). I've spent SO much money on formula for times when WIC isn't open, or it's the weekend or the middle of the night, or I have a baby who's somewhat malnourished and drinks much more formula than is given by WIC.

Foster parents would gladly take formula samples. . . .and that's somewhere that there's really no other choice than formula. Every single mother of a baby I've gotten in foster care has been a meth addict. . . .they can't breastfeed their babies due to their continued use of meth.

Thank you!

A foster agency or an organization that takes in infants in abuse or crime situations would be somewhere I would be okay donating. That or someone I knew personally would only use it because breastfeeding wasn't an option would be the only situations I'd be comfortable donating.

Otherwise it would go in the trash.

Luckily (knock wood) I've stayed off those lists and haven't gotten any formula.

-Angela

[Bellaholic]

A thought or two from a food-banking perspective...

I'm on staff at a regional foodbank; rather than directly serving clients, we distribute millions of pounds of food annually to around 375 agencies (food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, etc.) in a 16-county region of our state. Many clients of our partner agencies receive neither EBT or WIC, whether or not they might be eligible. In addition, young children who receive food aid from these agencies could very well be in the custody of grandparents of other family members.

As much as I despise the advertising tactics of the formula industry, and applaud the thoughts of a PP regarding the need to provide formula for the duration of infancy, the reality is that families who cannot afford to buy formula are putting heaven-only-knows-what into those bottles. Ergo, with reservations, I vote for donating your samples to your local food bank, pantry or shelter.

[G8P4]

The foster agency or organization that takes in infants in abuse or crime situations should have formula available at all times, which they pay for. If they can bring a baby in the middle of the night, they can surely bring a few tins of formula too. The Child Protection Services should just have the formula on hand in their offices also. Not that complicated, it seems to me.

The principle of no free formula should be maintained.

[alegna]

Originally Posted by G8P4

The foster agency or organization that takes in infants in abuse or crime situations should have formula available at all times, which they pay for. If they can bring a baby in the middle of the night, they can surely bring a few tins of formula too. The Child Protection Services should just have the formula on hand in their offices also. Not that complicated, it seems to me.

The principle of no free formula should be maintained.

I agree that they would otherwise pay for those supplies. That is just a situation where I wouldn't feel bad donating the formula personally.

Personally I could not donate to a food bank or the like.

-Angela

[granola_mom]

drink it yourself

ETA: ... is it yummy?

[possum]

Refuse it:
Write, "Return to sender," on it.
Melinda

[SheBear]

(Bolding original, red ink mine.)

Originally Posted by G8P4

The foster agency or organization that takes in infants in abuse or crime situations should have formula available at all times, which they pay for. If they can bring a baby in the middle of the night, they can surely bring a few tins of formula too. The Child Protection Services should just have the formula on hand in their offices also. Not that complicated, it seems to me.

The principle of no free formula should be maintained.

Great idea, I think you should suggest that to all CPS agencies nation-wide, so that it will maybe become mandated practice by those agencies at some point in the future. In the meantime, maybe you could compile a list of local 24-hour grocery stores to give all the foster parents so that they'll know where to go when an infant is dropped off with nothing but a dirty diaper and an empty tummy. Oh, and maybe you could also draft a letter to be read to the infant (while it waits for it's new foster parent to get dressed, drive to the nearest all-night store, buy diapers, formula, and bottles, return home, prepare the bottle, etc......) explaining that the reason that his/her little tummy is still achingly empty is because it has been declared that passing along "free" formula samples to foster parents is somehow immoral or irresponsible.

See, the problem is, while your solution seems uncomplicated, it just doesn't work that way. All those shoulds and surelys are great--truly I agree 100%! But if the world worked the way that it should, then not only would there be no "free" formula samples, but there would also be no babies in foster care to need them!

Maybe the agencies should provide formula, but they don't. (I don't know if they are legally allowed to be formula distributors--it might require some special certification. I have no idea, but the amounts of red tape--much of it silly and pointless and seemingly none of it based on common sense--would stun you!) And since they don't, and since the babies have to eat, the foster parents have to pick up the slack. And yes, that is exactly what they are paid to do--provide for the physical needs of the children--but those middle-of-the-night emergency trips to the grocery to buy formula for a child you weren't expecting are much more common than you might think! And, having been the person who had to try to comfort the hungry child until someone returned with formula, trust me when I say that they are hard on everyone! Especially the babies who don't understand WHY their tummies are so hungry, just that it hurts.

As for me, what I've done with formula samples/coupons in the past, and what I would do in the future is probably obvious. I give it all to my parents, who are foster parents. If they don't happen to have an infant in their care at that time, or if they have an emergency stash already in place, they certainly know other foster parents to pass it along to.

Originally Posted by mamadelbosque

Enfamil sent me a can of 'toddler formula' uke: and its sitting on our counter still in the box.

You might call a local animal shelter and see if they can use it. I seem to remember formula being one of the items on our local shelter's "Please Donate" list. Or maybe ask a lactation consultant you know if she has any clients who could use it--chances are she'd know someone with special circumstances that you could feel good about supporting.

[mommyddeville]

I agree that foster agencies should provide formula. But just like shebear said, I've had infants come with nothing but a diaper, tee shirt, and blanket in the middle of winter. Foster agencies are also SO overburdened that some things don't get done. . . bringing extras like formula or an outfit to foster parents is one of them. I don't envy CPS workers' jobs. They're dangerous and get no thanks. But having extra donated formula really is a blessing, even though I've never fed it to my own children. Other babies don't get that luxury.

[wonderwahine]

I donate mine to those who need them, either a womans shelter, food pantry or if I happen to know someone who uses that brand, I give it to them.

[nevaehsmommy]

I put it in the trunk of the car for emergencies along with bottled water. If we should get stranded on a shut down highway I would be able to drink the stuff and stay hydrated and nurished for the baby.

[organicmama328]

Originally Posted by wonderwahine

I donate mine to those who need them, either a womans shelter, food pantry or if I happen to know someone who uses that brand, I give it to them.

me too

[DahliaRW]

I can usually find a mom who was truly unable to breastfeed and I send/give the samples to her. If there is a valid reason a mom can't breastfeed, giving them the free formula and checks serves to take money out of the formula companies hands because it is less she will buy.

[minnowmomma]

I would use it to water my garden just cause its not best for babies doesn't mean plants wouldn't love it.

[tysmamaca]

I put it in the trunk of the car for emergencies along with bottled water. If we should get stranded on a shut down highway I would be able to drink the stuff and stay hydrated and nurished for the baby.

It's also a good idea to keep a can in your emergency kit at home in case you are separated from the baby during an emergency. I live in CA (earthquake country) and I know several breastfeeding women who keep some formula, water, and bottles in their emergency kits in the garage so they know that if they are out of the house and/or away from the baby when an earthquake happens and they aren't able to get back home, at least they know that their baby won't starve.

[mmarie58]

I used it for cooking to replace milk- especially fruit breads, cookies, cakes, etc. I had a friend who used it in her coffee rather than creamer.