"Hospital Gift Bags": We need a new name

Well, I actually got a "hospital gift bag" with ds. I was bfing and they knew it. The gift bag was specifically for bfing mothers. There was NO FORMULA or COUPONS!!! It had lots of info about bfing, a baby spoon that we could have engraved with ds's name and birthday, and honestly I don't remember what else. I completely agree that the bags usually given are anything but gift bags, but I thought it was nice that not all hospitals cave to the pressure.

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Was it sponsored by a formula company or something the hospital put together?

I think "formula advertising bags" is the most appropriate- it doesn't put people on the defensive unnecesarily, yet it concisly explains what it's about. It's more accurate than "gift bag" because it's not a gift, it's advertising. Those who use formula by choice or necessity wouldn't be insulted by the term.

The term "breastfeeding sabatoge bag" should be reserved for those "breastfeeding success bags" with formula samples and instructions on weaning. :

The problem with "artificial infant milk" is that, while it's an artificial substitute for breastmilk, it's not "artificial milk" (well, except maybe for the hypoallergenic formulas ) it is "real food" for infants, though far inferior to human milk.

Formula pushing packages

Health compromising units

McMilk bags

Honestly, I agree with Ruthla - "formula advertising bags" for normal, don't-scare-them-away-but-gets-the-point-across usage, "breastfeeding sabotage bags" for anything containing both breastfeeding "information" and formula samples.

Although I do like "formula pushing packages." (The phrase! Not the thingies themselves! Oh, you know what I meant. )

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I love those!! Especially the Don't Nurse Purse.

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Baby cow's milk bag? Nah, too obscure.

Poor-health-for-your-baby bag? No, too mean.

Keep 'em coming

The bag from H... (the supposedly really hot place)

that's all I can think, it's comes from below.

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(I posted this before, but don't know how to link to it. Sorry for the repeat.)

That cute little bag, with bottles, ice packs and advice. It seemed so innocuous with the pretty print, and the smiley nurse handing it to me. The ready to serve formula, and even disposable nipples. Just in case you want it later.

When I was tired, confused, and barely a new mom, the hub tried to help. Oh, look, we have those bottles, the nurse must think it's okay, because she gave them to us. Let me just give the baby a bottle and give you a break, hon.

It always made things worse. Just one bottle makes baby fussy. Then comes the new spitup which doesn't wash out, and smells gross. The screaming, because she still wanted me. It always meant at least an hour of H... everytime he tried to give me a break with one of the GD bottles. Finally, he'd give up, and bring the baby back, I'd nurse and she'd calm down once that crap wore off. Without the bottles, he may have thought about other real alternatives, like giving the baby a bath, or just walking around the house showing her her new world.

I am angry that it could even happen. Oh, and the breastfeeding instructions from the formula company are downright fraud. Even worse that the What to expect hooha.

We have to stop this blatant comercialism. How can we even allow gifts intended for breastfeeding moms from such a questionable source? The free bottles leaked, the free cold pack wasn't good enough to cool down the milk, the a$$vice was intended to get you on formula. Very effective marketing, but not good for babies.

The 'gradual' advice which just arrived with more free formula took 8 days to replace all daytime feeds with formula. I wonder what's in their DHA supplement for nursing moms?