Liz asks, “How are formula samples for an infant whose mom "has made up her mind" that she is formula feeding any different than other drug samples?” 

I love your phrasing, Liz.  However I see a drug sample for illness as being very different to a sample of what will be an infant’s sole food for the next several months. 

Having a sample (of anything) given out to a patient benefits only the company making the donation.  I’m not sure how big a sample of formula is – perhaps one meal, perhaps a a week’s worth?  It will be of little consequence to the mother, compared with what she will spend over time for the feeding choice she has made (and of course ‘free’ samples help to keep the basic product cost high).  It probably makes the doctor feels benevolent, and what a bonus to the company that is thereby endorsed by the doctor.  The basic message received by the mother just has to be, “My doctor thinks this stuff is pretty good!” let alone, “If it was in the least bit risky for my baby, my doctor would not have given it to me.”  

I don’t see that a paediatrician short-changes formula-fed babies by not accepting nor giving out small samples of formula.  If the mother has indeed made the decision to go to the supermarket for her formula supplies for the next few years, let her start right away, without any medical endorsement.  If another mother has made up her mind to keep smoking, the doctor would of course treat her kindly and ethically but wouldn’t give her a sample pack of cigarettes, nor a burger and fries to fat little Johnny.  

Best wishes
Jacquie Nutt IBCLC


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