Hi Ann,
I am just now catching up on my lactnet digest since the long week-end.  I
felt I should share information about recommendations for ABM out here in the
Southwest.  At the military hospital (you know where) we ask the
breastfeeding mother's at discharge from the hospital to donate their gifts
of ABM as well as the coupons to our local Crisis Center.  To my knowledge,
no one has ever refused such a donation.  Another suggestion is  to donate
the gift pack formula to a local charity health clinic (i.e., the border
children's health clinic here in our area) for indigent families.  The
general rule within the military structure is that formula representatives
are not permitted outside the confines of the office of the ward supply
officer.  We all know how clever they can be when they visit the units after
hours when no one is available to monitor their whereabouts.  When a formula
rep comes to our facility with all the cute little formula advertising
goodies, I merely thank them but refuse to take anything.  They do make
special arrangements to leave their goodies with our ward supply officer to
distribute.  They know that I support breastfeeding completely.  I did,
however, use their adult products when I recently had oro-maxillary facial
surgery and had a jaw fixation for 8 weeks.  Without some of their products,
I surely would have wasted away (I lost 13# in 9 days, and 20# overall).
 Nutritional supplements do have a place in our society,  and I certainly
feel that not all new mothers will breastfeed (even though I am willing to be
available day & night to support them).   Thanks for the opportunity to share
my thoughts.

Sincerely,

Mary Lou McGee, RNC, IBCLC
El Paso, Texas