Only about 5 percent of babies are born in hospitals where mom isn't sent home with a big bag of formula coupons and free formula upon discharge. I was lucky enough to have my kids in one of those few, but many people aren't. And lactation advocates say it's just the first of many steps the formula companies take to undermine breastfeeding.
It seems silly, right? Moms have the right to refuse the bags and they help the moms who do want to use formula. But that is exactly where they get you. One bad night with a baby who won't nurse and mom will be eyeing that free formula and think, "Well, as long as I have it ..."
The formula companies, of course, say otherwise. Haley Stevens, a scientific affairs specialist for the International Formula Council, told USA Today that not offering new moms formula samples "is really irresponsible." She said:
We agree breast-feeding is the best, when you can do it. There's no question. But if one size doesn't fit all, it's good to have a backup.
She's right. And formula is expensive, so it's good for moms to have some that is free. But therein lies the problem. It's free. But it's finite.
The free formula and the coupons only feed baby for a few days at best. And once that runs out, then mom is on her own and must pay for the rest. Formula isn't cheap. But breastfeeding is. And as one lactation activist said: Giving free formula is like handing someone "divorce papers at their wedding."
Maybe I wouldn't go that far, but we all know that feeding formula even once, especially in those crucial first days of breastfeeding, sets up a poor supply. It's like a domino effect for breastfeeding moms.
Breastfeeding ought to be assumed. If a mom can't or chooses not to for whatever reason, then sure, she can have free formula. But they should be the ones to ask. The hospital shouldn't decide for them.
For many women, this is a very touchy subject and there is no judgement if a woman chooses not to breastfeed. But to undermine the moms who are on the fence? Seems wrong. And if this is a financial thing, women should be taught early on that the cheapest way to feed a baby is through the breast. It's free all the time!
Did you get freebies from formula companies?
Image via nerissa's ring/Flickr
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Comments 70
with both of my kids, i got the 'hospital diaper bag' on my way out the door. they contained far more than just formula! yes, i had some in the bags for both, but they also came with so much other stuff - guides about taking care of baby (how to wash, how to burp, how to hold them, etc), coupons for places like babies r us, some samples of protein bars and coupons, etc. it was awesome! for my first, i gave the formula to someone else because i was breastfeeding. with my second, it was actually a good thing i had the formula...
my 2nd was born via c-section and had water in her lungs and trouble breathing. it was a pretty complicated delivery (that's the short version) and she ended up in the nicu for 2 1/2 days. in that time, they fed her formula, even though she was NOT a preemie (my water broke early in the morning of my scheduled csection). when they finally brought her to room in with me, she wouldn't take the breast. i can't blame the nicu nurses, they were only doing what they thought was best for my baby. but it took a little time to switch from the formula to breast. am i regretful of that? not at all. my baby got the nutrition she needed, and whether it comes from me or a can, isn't a healthy baby the point? if you don't want the formula freebies or coupons, give them away to someone else. and don't knock a mom for using formula - we're all just trying to do the best we can.
I got more than a few days worth. I planned on exclusively breastfeeding, but my milk didn't come in until 4 days after I gave birth, and my son was HUNGRY pretty much right after birth. I did give him formula until my milk came in, and my son didn't have any problems with nipple confusion or anything. He hasn't had formula since he was probably a month old, and he's 9 months now. I'm not anti-formula, because I know that there are situations where the milk is late or doesn't come at all. That being said, if I have any more kids, I plan on breastfeeding them, but if I can't for whatever reason, heck yes I'll use formula. lol.
Yes they gave that crap to me w/ my 2 hospital births. And I got the can in the mail too w/ all 3 of my children. You know if they really want to give it to moms they could mail you coupons for full size samples from the store. It's like drugs. Give them a sample and they get hooked, and start paying for the product(due to lose of supply thanks to supplementing).
I wasn't able to breastfeed and yes we got free formula from compaines but we have to give it away because we could not use since my son was somethings. The hosptial gave us plenty of formula when we left the hosptail and it came into go use because we didn't have to buy that formula since we have about 3 or more weeks of supply from the hosptail. If you don't want the free stuff leave or it give to someone who can use it no one is sayng you have to use it.
oh and I tried to turn down the bag. The nurse put on such hard pressure to get me to take it. I finally agreed to the bag if they kept the formula. The nurse finally gave up and agreed to that. When I had my 2nd child I just took it and gave the samples and such to my mom who runs a daycare.