What to do with formula? - Page 3

[justJen]

Originally Posted by zoedeansmom

I love BFing too, but grow a bit weary of all the over-enthusiastic bashing of moms who FF.

It's my opinion that bashing moms who formula feed is never an appropriate part of lactivism.

From the "What is Lactivism?" sticky at the top of this forum:

Lactivists seek to create a systemic change that challenges the general acceptance of formula feeding and guides mothers towards breastfeeding as a cultural norm.

I think that says it well. The systemic/cultural change is what I'm after.

[annettemarie]

Oh, I missed that. If you truly feel someone is bashing moms who formula feed, definitely click on the little triangle and report it, since that's against the forum guidelines. I haven't seen that, but I could have missed it.

[zoedeansmom]

Originally Posted by annettemarie

Oh, I missed that. If you truly feel someone is bashing moms who formula feed, definitely click on the little triangle and report it, since that's against the forum guidelines. I haven't seen that, but I could have missed it.

I guess I was speaking in general, with no specific examples, and not even necessarily about things related to MDC. I'm sure we've all come across really gung-ho BFers who mean-well, but may intimidate other mommas and who may be quick to judge others without knowing all the details.
That said, I'd like to put up a "white flag", call a truce, etc., especially to possum. I have been feeling a bit uneasy during the couple of days this thread has gone on. I absolutely hate confrontation and didn't mean to come on so strong. I think it's important to have these discussions even if, and maybe especially if, we disagree. But I feel bad that my posts were so negative. I'm afraid I bordered on "flaming" (if I'm using that right, I'm not the most tech-savvy person in the world!)
When we are given formula or anything else, it becomes our property to do with as we wish. Obviously, some of us disagree with the best thing to do, but it is our individual choice to make. Possum, I'm sorry I was so hard on you. Please forgive me.

[miss_sonja]

Originally Posted by GooeyRN

I sent it to a mama in my ddc that has to formula feed for medical reasons. She just left an abusive spouse and has no job or money. If you want to help someone in need, look under bfing challanges and low supply. Stalk some of the low supply mama's posts to see who is financially challenged. PM them asking them if they would like the sample you received. Some of those mama's would do just about anything to meet their baby's needs for BM, but just can't produce enough. Some are also financially challenged. Sending them some formula samples and coupons just may help them keep their baby's fed and their bills paid.

I really like this idea. I've never visited that forum, so I guess it didn't occur to me. Thanks for the suggestion.

[birdie22]

Originally Posted by annettemarie

Because it's not my job to distribute formula for the formula companies, and I resent being put in the position where I'm the one making the ethical choice to do so.

[...]

I didn't ask for the stuff. I'm not in charge of distributing Similac. It's their ethical issue for sneaking behind my back, getting my address, and sending it to me whether I wanted it or not. If there is a mom out there who needs it,maybe they should have sent it to her in the first place. Heck, maybe if they stopped sending it to every woman who went to an OB or bought a pair of maternity panties at Motherhood (and twice as much if the woman said she planned to breastfeed!) the cost would go waaaaaay down and formula wouldn't be so prohibitively expensive.

I threw it away.

It was waiting for me when I came home with ds after my c/s, and I was in no shape to run around looking for someone who could use it. DS was having latch problems and I knew I was facing an uphill battle, with no support (to say the least) from my mom who was coming to visit the next day. I had been reading breastfeeding books which cited the statistics for how many women were more likely to give up bf if there were supplies in the house.

I said "NO" to the similac bag the hospital offered, only to be greeted by a case of Good Start at my door. I was furious, and I picked straight up and tossed it the ten feet to the garbage can. It never came in the house, and that may have saved my bf relationship with ds.

I have absolutely bent over backwards to stay off the lists this time. So far, so good, but if the same thing happens again, I will probably do the same thing again. I cannot get past the idea that the formula company sent me the stuff hoping I will use it. It makes my blood boil.

I have so much respect for those of you who are self-possessed enough to turn a bad into a good for someone in need.

[leighi123]

I donate all the samples I get, and coupons (for diapers too sence we use cloth and also the cereal we get from WIC sence we havent started solids and wont do cereal anyway) to a local church, which is tiny but always gives out boxes of food every sunday to people who need it. They've been trying to help peopel who really need it, and all of the baby items they are getting right now are going to a single daddy who is raising his son after his wife died (she had some sort of terminal illness and died when the baby was just a couple months old)

I wouldnt throw it away, because I dont waste anything! (I do frecycle a lot for other baby things I dont need) ... I do check to make sure the person Im giving it to will actually use it though...