I wasn't going to continue with my breastfeeding theme for the entire week, however there is a project going on right now that i'd love to share! Its something I just discovered and I think its great!
When you are at the hospital after giving birth they go around and ask if you want your free bag. Who is going to say no to a free bag? They ask if you want a formula or breastfeeding bag so naturally I took the breastfeeding one. I was a little surprised they even offered two bags as I had always heard from people about how they were given formula. Needless to say I wasn't shocked when my "breastfeeding" bag contained a huge massive can of formula in it! In fact there was nothing in the bag I kept except for maybe a pamphlet or two on breastfeeding... everything else just went right in the trash! Well, except the bag.
I was so excited when I read about a woman who is orgaizing a real breastfeeding bag project! You can read all about it here: breastfeeding bags at hospitals! Its such a great initiative! How much happier I would have been to get a bag filled with those sorts of breastfeeding goodies! If anyone wants to follow the progress or find out how to start their own breastfeeding bag project there is a facebook page dedicated to the Laramie Breastfeeding Bag project. I know that quite a few projects have sprung up in other states already! Sadly none in Maryland yet, but I'm hoping I find out about one soon!
Reading about these bags made me wonder... why aren't there breastfeeding companies who are making these bags? I know the idea of the formula companies is to get people to start using their formula... so what about the companies that make breast pumps? Medela for example is one of the first names that comes into anyone's mind when they talk abut breastfeeding pumps. So why have they not created a breastfeeding bag for the hospitals? They could load it up with samples of nipple cream, breast pads, those gel soothers for sore nipples, breastfeeding pamphlets, and even coupons for future purchases!
Maybe I should write them a letter asking them why they haven't done just that!
Wow... that's sad. "Oh, you're breastfeeding. Here, you'll need formula".. not sure if that's a crack at you or a crack at that hospitals team of lactation consultants. I can't wait to see what happens when my munchkin comes out and I say the same thing!
ReplyDeleteThe "breastfeeding" bag was sponsored by similac... =/ I gave the formula to my friend to give to someone she knows who uses it!
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right, Medela or another pump company is missing a good marketing opportunity. I live in a VERY pro b/f area so I didn't get any formula samples at the hosptial. Instead I've gotten 4 cans of formula and millions of cupons in the mail, I assume because I registered at BRU for my shower. I'm going to donate them to the local shelter and hope that a hungry baby can use them.
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