Aghhh...the formula coupons!

[SamGroom]

I had my son at home and yet they have still found me. I keep recieving coupons and samples from Similac. It is really starting to get on my nerves I have never once bought formula or even shop at "baby stores". Has anyone written to a formula company about how offensive it is that they are mailing out coupons?

[TayNKegsmama]

seriously huh, where are my nipple butter coupons?
Honestly tho, I know someone who doesnt have WIC (and FF, due to huge supply, latch issues) since she has to buy their stuff anyway I give her all my coupons. Between the 2 of us and all these coupons she saves $5 a can o formula. I think that if every donated their coupons to someone who needs them ( and there are way to many mamas that do) its at least that much less money in the pockets of formula companies. (hey it can add up)

I tolerate the coupons more than the samples they sent out myself. Its harder for a mama struggling with BFing to want to take a coupon to the store in the middle of than to crack open a can sitting on the counter.

[LeighB]

I am extremely upset about the samples they mail out! The fist night home from the hospital (with no help at all except dh), I was in so much pain and sadness that I was begging Dh to make up a bottle for the baby. It never would even have occurred to me if I hadn't had the formula sample. It got thrown out the next day!

[SeekingSerenity]

Originally Posted by LeighB

I am extremely upset about the samples they mail out!... It got thrown out the next day!

I told my insurance company when I got pg this time that I would be breastfeeding. They said they'd give me a coupon to send in for a special gift for BFing moms.

It turned out to be an insulated bottle-bag that contained a full-sized sample can of DHA-fortified formula. "Closest formulation to breastmilk available," it proudly boasts. I thought the closest formulation to breastmilk WAS breastmilk...

I did with it like I do with every formula sample I've received for the last two pgs... took it to the box at the store that accepts donations for the homeless or DV shelters in the area.

I know what you mean about being tempted, though... my DH was always offering to mix up a bottle with a sample can we'd gotten for DS. I was fine, but DH wanted to "help" as he put it, by giving me more freedom to move around without being tied to the baby. Once I demonstrated how I could walk, answer the phone, put stuff away, even go to the bathroom WHILE nursing, he left it alone.

PS - I also donate those formula coupons to the women's shelters. For them, every little bit truly counts.

[annettemarie]

While I would consider donating the actual samples some place where I knew the baby was already receiving formula--an abuse shelter, a foster care place, something like that--I personally would never pass on the coupons.

Each coupon is encoded with info that tells them your info. If you marked that you would be breastfeeding, they have that info as well (and, in all likelihood, they sent you bigger value coupons and checks because of it.) When someone uses that coupon, they don't know that you've passed it on. All they know is that marketing to a breastfeeding woman worked and they think you've bought their formula. That only encourages them to market even harder to breastfeeding mothers--after all, why mess with what's working?

And while one might argue that the samples are already "out there" so the choice is to use it or waste it, the formula coupons and checks are different. They don't "exist" in any real way until they are used and cashed. I don't consider it wasteful to throw away or mark return to sender on a check.

Beyond that, I think there's this misconception out there that by using the coupons or even by giving them away, we're sticking it to the formula companies. But we're not. Don't think for a second that they're eating the costs of all those free samples and discount checks. All that is worked into the price of formula. "Free" formula is why formula is so expensive.

Anyway, that's my two cents.

[hollytheteacher]

Originally Posted by annettemarie

While I would consider donating the actual samples some place where I knew the baby was already receiving formula--an abuse shelter, a foster care place, something like that--I personally would never pass on the coupons.

Each coupon is encoded with info that tells them your info. If you marked that you would be breastfeeding, they have that info as well (and, in all likelihood, they sent you bigger value coupons and checks because of it.) When someone uses that coupon, they don't know that you've passed it on. All they know is that marketing to a breastfeeding woman worked and they think you've bought their formula. That only encourages them to market even harder to breastfeeding mothers--after all, why mess with what's working?

And while one might argue that the samples are already "out there" so the choice is to use it or waste it, the formula coupons and checks are different. They don't "exist" in any real way until they are used and cashed. I don't consider it wasteful to throw away or mark return to sender on a check.

Beyond that, I think there's this misconception out there that by using the coupons or even by giving them away, we're sticking it to the formula companies. But we're not. Don't think for a second that they're eating the costs of all those free samples and discount checks. All that is worked into the price of formula. "Free" formula is why formula is so expensive.

Anyway, that's my two cents.

Yep, i agree! I know for a fact those "coupons" are linked to your name and address! So by giving them to someone else to use, it looks like YOU are buying the product and the formula company loves that. I instantly rip up the coupons as i get them and put them right into my recycle bin. My ds is 7 months old and for some reason the latest set of coupons i got came with a booklet all about how at 9 months old it's really a good idea to supplement with formula to make sure baby is getting enough iron and nutrients or some other b.s.

[LeighB]

I did not know that about the coupons. I wish I had thrown them away instead if giving them to a friend!

[PGNPORTLAND]

I called their question hotline and informed them I was breastfeeding and to take me off their list.

[Phantaja]

Foster moms could really use those samples and coupons. The amount of formula they give the babies on WIC is never enough, and, at least here in MI, foster moms of infants are only given 400.00 per month. Those coupons and samples could really help a baby who doesn't have a mom who can breastfeed it.

A lot of cities and towns have community closets where foster parents can go get gently used things for their foster kids. I can't imagine that a coupon or a can of formula would be turned away.

While I can imagine that those coupons are offensive to you as a nursing mom and understand that even passing them on gives the formula manufacturers more ammo to use against breastfeeding mothers, I'd rather help a child who *needs* formula today and can't get any breastmilk at all than fight the formula companies. Good, sound information, support, and normalizing of breastfeeding will go a lot farther in getting moms to nurse than all the coupon discarding in the world.

[annettemarie]

Originally Posted by Phantaja

While I can imagine that those coupons are offensive to you as a nursing mom and understand that even passing them on gives the formula manufacturers more ammo to use against breastfeeding mothers, I'd rather help a child who *needs* formula today and can't get any breastmilk at all than fight the formula companies. Good, sound information, support, and normalizing of breastfeeding will go a lot farther in getting moms to nurse than all the coupon discarding in the world.

Could you explain this more? How would it give the formula company "ammo" against breastfeeding mothers? How would they know we threw the coupons out? This just doesn't make sense to me.

That said, certainly everyone should advocate in the way that makes the most sense to them. I personally do not choose to help the formula companies sell more product, especially at the expense of mothers and babies who truly do need to formula feed. As I said, they're not eating the cost; they're just passing it on to the people who are most vulnerable.

[Phantaja]

Originally Posted by annettemarie

Could you explain this more? How would it give the formula company "ammo" against breastfeeding mothers?

Actually, you explained it quite well in your own post.

All they know is that marketing to a breastfeeding woman worked and they think you've bought their formula. That only encourages them to market even harder to breastfeeding mothers--after all, why mess with what's working?

Using the coupons lets the formula manufacturers know that they are getting a breastfeeding mom to formula feed. And if one, why not two? Why not ten? Why not a million? So they market longer, stronger, and harder to mothers and primary care givers of infants. Those with the resourses and support to resist do, and continue to breastfeed, hopefully.

How would they know we threw the coupons out? This just doesn't make sense to me.

The same way that they'd know when you used them. The coupons are tied to your name and address. They know when you use them, they know when you don't.

As I said, they're not eating the cost; they're just passing it on to the people who are most vulnerable.

Oh I don't doubt that one bit. TNSTAAFL and all. But if a formula coupon helps to fill even one tiny tummy that doesn't have access to the good stuff, then I think that they should be passed on.

[leewd]

I pass them on. My sister needs the Similac ones, and I give the Enfamil ones and the samples to the church food pantry.

I realize they are tied to my info, but I'm okay with it. I would rather pass them on to someone in need than toss them.

--LEE

[kdubs_mom]

my two cents on formula samples:

We got the tubes of powdered formula samples in the mail before I delivered DS. I was going to throw them out but DH, being a pseudo-survivalist/prepper type, said he wanted to hold onto them in case anything happens to me, since I don't have a milk bank in the freezer (I just pump when I need to).

[leewd]

We got the tubes of powdered formula samples in the mail before I delivered DS. I was going to throw them out but DH, being a pseudo-survivalist/prepper type, said he wanted to hold onto them in case anything happens to me, since I don't have a milk bank in the freezer (I just pump when I need to).

Yeah, I kept some with expiration dates that are way in the future. It's unlikely that anything would happen to me, but if it did, DH would need to be able to feed her. And if we never need it, we can still donate it because the exp dates are so far out.

--LEE

[MarcyC]

Originally Posted by leewd

I pass them on. My sister needs the Similac ones, and I give the Enfamil ones and the samples to the church food pantry.

I realize they are tied to my info, but I'm okay with it. I would rather pass them on to someone in need than toss them.

--LEE

:

[Hippie Mama in MI]

I'm happy to say, I move house so often, the formula companies never found me to send me any samples or coupons in the mail!

[diamond lil]

Originally Posted by annettemarie

While I would consider donating the actual samples some place where I knew the baby was already receiving formula--an abuse shelter, a foster care place, something like that--I personally would never pass on the coupons.

Each coupon is encoded with info that tells them your info. If you marked that you would be breastfeeding, they have that info as well (and, in all likelihood, they sent you bigger value coupons and checks because of it.) When someone uses that coupon, they don't know that you've passed it on. All they know is that marketing to a breastfeeding woman worked and they think you've bought their formula. That only encourages them to market even harder to breastfeeding mothers--after all, why mess with what's working?

And while one might argue that the samples are already "out there" so the choice is to use it or waste it, the formula coupons and checks are different. They don't "exist" in any real way until they are used and cashed. I don't consider it wasteful to throw away or mark return to sender on a check.

Beyond that, I think there's this misconception out there that by using the coupons or even by giving them away, we're sticking it to the formula companies. But we're not. Don't think for a second that they're eating the costs of all those free samples and discount checks. All that is worked into the price of formula. "Free" formula is why formula is so expensive.

Anyway, that's my two cents.

I learn something new on this board everyday.