Apparently Target sells its baby registry names too. It's the only place (other than the hospital) that I was even a blip ... I didn't get any baby/parenting magazines, took my birth class via the hospital, never went to a baby fair or anything. Someone told me Target sells names though ... I suppose that other places might as well (Walmart or BabiesRUs or wherever else a mom might register).
I got literally boxes of formula (four cans per box) more than once. We donated it to a food bank.
Our "bf success" bag at the hospital had a can of formula in it, a bunch of "bf" formula propoganda (the typical stuff - all about the struggles of bf and "bf is best but if you use formula" with the peaceful/happy/totally together married mom pics on those pages (vs the single, ringless, nude mom on the other pages - talk about subliminal! Wow)).... Four ice packs (I use these in our coolers
) .... I think there were free samples and coupons for breast pads (disposable so I didn't get them), also for Balmex and Desitin and some baby shampoos etc.... Most of my bag was thrown away. I only took it because a friend had told me how nice those bags were to keep stocked in the vehicle in case you forgot the diaper bag when you were out (we only had to use our formulabag's diaper/clothing stash once but I'll keep using it with this next baby, as I imagine things will only get more hectic).
I think this time around, I will simply leave the bag in the room. It's my understanding that the hospitals get kickbacks every time that the bag is taken?? And therefore, whether I'm giving it to a shelter or anywhere else, I'm ratifying the system. So it's just not going to go. I've heard of some moms just pouring the formula down the sink and leaving it. I don't think I'd go that far ....
I wish there were an LLL group here or etc. It would be really nice to get a Babyfriendly hospital status here .... There's a town of a similar size in MT (Anaconda) which has a babyfriendly hospital, and if they can do it, it seems that this town ought to be able to, as well. But, without some very organized and vocal bf support/advocacy groups in place and well-established, I doubt it would go too far in terms of pushing for it. My OB says he thinks the initiation rate here is 90% or so .... but I don't think our actual bf rate is any higher than anywhere else in WY.
