Anyone offered any free formula samples yet?

Valancyy · May 2014

I was surprised yesterday to offered a "gift bag" of free formula after my blood draw for the GB screen. This was in my doctor's office, they draw the blood right there. I'm planning on breastfeeding so I declined. I was kind of taken aback. I just told her I wouldn't need it.

I guess there's nothing wrong with it if the person is planning to formula feed, but she didn't even ask. The funny thing is that the hospital where my doctor delivers is certified "baby friendly" and they aren't allowed to give out formula samples there.

Anyone else run into this yet? If you are planning on breastfeeding, are you declining, or taking them "just in case"?

lookame3639 · May 2014

I got a can of formula when I registered. I accepted it since I don't know what the future holds and it's never a bad idea to be prepared. If anything I could offer it to a friend who may be having difficulty breastfeeding. I try not to turn things down that I could possibly use in the future..

kcatboston · May 2014

I accepted them and donated them to our church when I didn't need them. They knew of several families in need. Enafamil & Similac both send full size samples if you've signed up online.

BeachM · May 2014

No, but I want them! After my failed BFing experience last time, I LOVED those free samples. Between the ones I had and the ones my friends gave me I didn't pay for formula for months.

I also had the "I cannot believe you are offering me this. I am going to breastfeed!" reaction last time and then we see how that turned out. So take them, save them, and then give them away if you don't need them. Someone will be happy to have them!

Allison7 · May 2014

I took a baby basics class at a pediatrician's office and they gave us a huge bag of samples there. The hospital follows WHO guidelines and will not give them out, so I suspect that the ped's office was given them instead. I took it because the bag was really nice, it featured a bottle cooler, and while I plan to bf, I don't know what the future holds. Hopefully BFing will be fine, but if it isn't i will have some formula. If I don't end up needing it, I will donate to the local food bank or our church.

andatcdc · May 2014

My midwife gave me a whole gift set that I didn't know what it included. It was a cooler (to store breast milk or formula), had formula coupons, 2 can's of formula and 6 bottles of pre-mixed stuff. I wasn't offended. My niece had just had a baby and was lacking with her supply so I shipped it down to her to help out.

Valancyy · May 2014

(Yes, this looks like I'm "answering" my own post!)

I accepted them (and used them for a couple days) with DS#1. I had to exclusively pump for him until 7 months, then we switched to formula (I also returned to work, and pumping was harder).

With DS#2 I never even got any! We were breastfeeding well at the hospital, so they never gave any to us. I ended up breastfeeding him for 16.5 months, and he never had formula.

So...since I'm really hoping to do the same with #3, only breastfeeding, I don't want to have to deal with storing it, then finding a place to donate it later if I don't need it. I'd rather just not take it.

Of course, I do see the side that says it's free, and if you need it, that's less money you have to spend, but I'm betting on not needing it, and hope it works out that way!

tabaskoa · May 2014

I got some in the mail. Not really sure where or what prompted that though!

BeachM · May 2014

tabaskoa said:
I got some in the mail. Not really sure where or what prompted that though!

I think the places you register sell/give your info.

MandMLeona · May 2014

I got some with my first and in the days I was really struggling with breastfeeding my mind kept drifting to those samples. I was really tempted to throw in the towel and tell DH to go get the samples. I ended up donating them to a local food bank when I'd gotten through the rough patches. I was rather glad I didn't get offered any with our second. If I get given any this time, I'll donate them immediately. If I end up needing formula, we can get some, but I'd rather not have it there mocking me. Just my personal opinion.

workmm01 · May 2014

I thought it was strange for the nurse who took my blood to ask me if I planned on breastfeeding or not as well. I told her I was going to give my best shot. She asked if I wanted a sample of formula anyway and I said sure. She came back with a huge bag that had a couple pacifiers, bottles, a cooler and storage containers for milk. So I'm pretty glad I accepted becuase I'm sure I'll use the cooler and bottles for breastmilk if not the formula. I might donate that if anyone accepts it and I don't use it.

loulou182 · May 2014

My friend is a doctor so she's hoarding samples for me. Yesterday she gave us 18 cans of formula. I thought a sample would be small, but the cans are huge. My friend has more cans that she's going to give DH and I this weekend.

shaylagirl · May 2014

I took it. I figure if I don't need it, I'll donate or give it away.

I did get a little "6-pack" of formula that is supposed to be a supplement to breastmilk that I'll hang on to.

Can't hurt, right?

BlckRoses · May 2014

I got a sample when I registered at BBB. I do plan on breastfeeding, but if I can't or there are other issues, it would be nice to have some as backup. I hear formula is very expensive. My SIL just had her baby a week ago and was having a lot of issues breastfeeding since her baby was tongue tied. Baby lost more than 10% of her weight in the first week and they had to supplement with formula. I would rather have the formula on hand to feed my child then have to run out to the store or have her go without until Target opens in the morning.

happylady07 · May 2014

I haven't gotten any this time, but I also haven't registered any where. I gave all the samples I did get away last time, and none of them came from my doctors office, they all came in the mail (I suspect due to where I registered).

forevermyfenix · May 2014

at my first OB appointment at 8 weeks I was given a gift bag, which I didn't open until I got home. It had a softcover "what to expect when you're expecting" book, a can of similac, enfamil coupons, a pacifier, two breast milk containers, and a newborn nipple, all in a nice little cooler bag. I plan on breastfeeding, but I did keep the samples just in case. The expiration date isn't for a good long while so I figured its better to have and not need than to need and not have.

Unknown · May 2014

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pmpkn219 · May 2014

I would accept it if it came with a cooler bag or something useful like that. Last time I didn't get any "in person", but one day I had a full size can sitting on my doorstep from both Enfamil and Similac. I presumed it's from registering. I've only created a registry on Amazon this time, and no freebies have shown up at my door

last time I kept the 2 cans in my pantry, and when he was approaching a year and clearly they weren't needed, I donated them to a women's shelter (they still had over 6 months before expire). I wasn't really tempted by them sitting there (hidden in the back), but I could see how that would be a possibility

mikescutie7 · May 2014

I was given a box of samples at my dr office. I plan on bf but I saved them just in case something goes wrong and LO can't nurse

[Deleted User] · May 2014

loulou182 said:

My friend is a doctor so she's hoarding samples for me. Yesterday she gave us 18 cans of formula. I thought a sample would be small, but the cans are huge. My friend has more cans that she's going to give DH and I this weekend.

Not sure your friend would like that you're putting it out there that she's stealing from her work...pretty crappy of her, if you ask me.

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