What do I do with all of these formula samples?!

Jule_Z · December 2009

I'm planning on BF'ing our baby, but I have been receiving formula samples in the mail like crazy. I don't want them but want to be sure that someone else who needs them can use them. Food shelf?

(If we do wind up needing formula, I'll go with our pediatricians recommendations, which may or may not be one of these brands. Either way, I don't want all of these canisters sitting around our house.)

ernlei608 · December 2009

I would donate them to a food bank or a women and children's shelter. They can always use that stuff, especially now

Ms.Fitz · December 2009

Talk to you local cps. See if there are any foster parents who could use them.

Bhobbsdz · December 2009

If they have a long shelf life, can you pack them up and store them somewhere? I would honestly keep them. You just never know and as expensive as formula is and trying to find the one that agrees with baby, they may come in handy, if needed.

If not, take them to your OB or pediatricians office, they can always use them for parents who can't afford to buy them.

RedHeadedLeo85 · December 2009

Try your local WIC office or your closest DHHS. Any sort of pregnancy home visiting program would gladly take them as well...

suzymarie · December 2009

I dontaed all of them to the food bank. There is a drop-off bin in our grocery store.

I was 100% committed to BF';ing, and didn't want the tempation around. I figured that if I was in the 1-2% of women who truly do not produce milk, it takes like 10 minutes to run to Walgreens and get some.

kimberleigh30 · December 2009

Donate them.

Barneso · December 2009

I would seriously hang on to them until you know for sure you won't need them.

What if your baby is born with jaundice and in addition to breast-feeding, it's recommend that you supplement with formula?

Your OB isn't going to recommend a certain brand - formula is formula... it's regulated so closely by the government, that none of it is stuff that you "shouldn't give your baby!"

Mariposa24 · December 2009

Keep them until you know you don't need them. DS had a protein allergy and it took trying 4 different kinds of forumla until we got to one that worked. They have a long shelf life as long as they are unopened so once you know you don't/won't need them, you can give them to your pediatrician's office. They give them out.

Krisann79 · December 2009

Wow! How do you get formula samples sent to you?

Jule_Z · December 2009

Krisann79:
Wow! How do you get formula samples sent to you?

I have no idea...well, other than our address is "out there" from registering. I've received 4 canisters in less than a week. Crazy!

NiniJ55 · December 2009

I would still hold on to them for now. I have spoken to a breastfeeding mother about this and she explained to me that around her 8th month (I think it was 8 - not completely sure) of breastfeeding her supply took a dive. She was grateful that she had some hospital samples in the house that she was able to use to supplement her breast milk becuase formula is very expensive. She was able to get her supply back up - and has not had to purchase any formula herself to make it to her goal of breastfeeding for a year.