formula I hope I won't need

AundreaAgain

Baby girl will breast feed. But I keep getting samples of formula. What do I do with it? I hate to just toss it.

I know someone has asked this before, but I don't recall the answer.

MrsGoodkat

I donated it to the food bank when I was sure I didn't need it.

missyishere

I gave mine to expecting mothers after me who I knew were planning on FF. Otherwise, a shelter would be a great option.

GrayGhost13

I kept it for a few months, just because it made me feel better to know we had it "just in case." After I had a pretty good freezer stash of pumped milk built up, we donated it to a food drive after a few months (but before it was expired, of course).

Littledeer84

GrayGhost13:

I kept it for a few months, just because it made me feel better to know we had it "just in case." After I had a pretty good freezer stash of pumped milk built up, we donated it to a food drive after a few months but before it was expired, of course.

This is what I would recommend.

smerka

I've seen people post it on Freecycle too.

seahorse102410

Good luck with that breast feeding.

kwitt22

I kept and used ours. You never know how Breastfeeding will go and you may need them. I also went out for a few hours to get out of the house when DD was around 3 weeks old. I pumped before I left and when DH went to give DD a bottle he spilled it everywhere. He had to use our formula, bc I was like 30 min away and she needed to eat.

suziqnc

I would definitely keep it for a while.  I was planning on BF also, but DD never would latch.  I pumped for a while, but I didn't have good supply, and got mastitis several times.  I was glad to have formula on hand, since we ended up needing it.  It is better to have it, and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

SmittyPants

Keep it until you're sure it won't be needed. Breast feeding isn't all puppies and rainbows and frankly, isn't easy.

shannonmur

We ff but I gave all the unused or ones we didn't use to our local food bank. I also gave them any formula checks I wasn't using.

jorkz821

seahorse102410:

Good luck with that breast feeding.

Come on, now. That's not helpful.

OP: agree that a shelter or food bank would appreciate it.

MommaG123

I kept it for awhile just to make sure I wouldn't need it and then I gave it to my SIL when she had her LO but if I didn't know anyone PG I would have given it to a women's shelter.

Hesterlicious

jorkz821:

seahorse102410:

Good luck with that breast feeding.

Come on, now. That's not helpful. OP: agree that a shelter or food bank would appreciate it.

I needed all the luck I could get and I still only got a latch 5% of the time. Most of which was middle of the night comfort feedings. I used  formula half the time until 7 months when I returned the rental pump after blowing up 2 of my own.

Hesterlicious

Very much related but a NSFW title since it is from Eff you week

https://jezebel.com/5968243/**-you-breastfeeding

colliebabe

I also kept it until I didn't think I'd need it anymore, and then donated it. You can also send the formula checks to ladies on TB if you want (I know there was a lot of formula check swapping on my BMB.)

Good luck BFing! FWIW I heard so many horror stories about it, and it turned out much better than expected for me.

J&A2008

I kept it until it expired.  We have kids in our home fairly frequently, and there was one time a dad asked for some.  When you have a baby, some people will assume you have formula on hand.

chardonnay24

I kept it even though I was 100% sure that I would BF. I'm glad because my son couldn't latch due to sensory issues and I ended up exclusively pumping for 6 months. When my supply dried up and I was only pumping 2 oz a day, I was grateful to have the formula on hand.

If you are successful with BFing, you can donate it to a shelter or food bank.

footnotegirl

Hold onto it for now. There is a slight possibility of something going awry with breastfeeding. I DESPERATELY wanted to breast feed, but my milk never came in enough, and we ended up in the emergency room with a dehydrated baby and orders to supplement. After getting out of the 4 a.m. hospital visit, we were relieved to have a couple of cans at home to get us through until we could buy some more, and having different brands meant we could test what worked better with LO before spending any money on something that made her gassy. 

Once you are settled with breast feeding, then you can donate the formula. Most food banks will take it, as will shelters for abused women, and if they don't they will probably know where to give it. Otherwise, you may have friends or coworkers who do use formula and want your extras. 

AundreaAgain

Hesterlicious:

jorkz821:

seahorse102410:

Good luck with that breast feeding.

Come on, now. That's not helpful.

OP: agree that a shelter or food bank would appreciate it.

I needed all the luck I could get and I still only got a latch 5% of the time. Most of which was middle of the night comfort feedings. I used  formula half the time until 7 months when I returned the rental pump after blowing up 2 of my own.

I appreciate the luck wishes.

And it sounds like I'll be keeping it for a while just in case. I'm pretty bent on BFing, but I also like back plans.

We've already decided to rent a pump. Something about the term 'hospital grade' is comforting. Plus, a good friend if mine had success with renting.

RockyTopVols

AundreaAgain:

Hesterlicious:

jorkz821:

seahorse102410:

Good luck with that breast feeding.

Come on, now. That's not helpful. OP: agree that a shelter or food bank would appreciate it.

I needed all the luck I could get and I still only got a latch 5% of the time. Most of which was middle of the night comfort feedings. I used  formula half the time until 7 months when I returned the rental pump after blowing up 2 of my own.

I appreciate the luck wishes. And it sounds like I'll be keeping it for a while just in case. I'm pretty bent on BFing, but I also like back plans. We've already decided to rent a pump. Something about the term 'hospital grade' is comforting. Plus, a good friend if mine had success with renting.

 

RockyTopVols

HilarityEnsued:

RTV... are you really poking an almost-37 week pregnant bear?  Do you have a death wish man?

While I would never refer to my wife as a bear... lol.. 

but yes, yes I am. I like to live life dangerously.  

Snapdragon750

Keep it.  I was 100% committed to breastfeeding, but when the milk dried up less than two weeks PP and DD started losing weight, I was glad I had the formula.

MommyKayla11

I kept it awhile until I was sure I didn't need it, then I donated it.