I received something amusing in the mail yesterday. It was a notification about a recall on baby formula. I found this amusing because I haven't used formula in more than a year, and when I did use it, my son got approximately one or two bottles per week.
Though I was primarily nursing, I gave my son formula for two reasons. One, I wanted him to be familiar with using a bottle in case a) I needed/wanted some time off or b) there was some kind of emergency. Two, I wanted him familiar with the taste of formula for reasons a and b above. My motivation for this mostly came from a horror story my mom tells of a time she was out with her sister, and then stuck in traffic, when I was a hungry infant. I flat-out refused the bottle of formula my dad offered me and by the time Mom got home I was hysterical, she was engorged, and nursing was uncomfortable for both of us. Apparently I also gave my dad the crustiest look when he handed me over, at least according to my aunt. I wanted to prevent any such thing from happening with my son, especially as I wanted to not HAVE to be his only source of food 24/7.
Okay, there was your story for the day. Anyway, I mostly got the formula I used from free samples, but I also joined all the formula clubs so I could get their checks and coupons. I purchased two, maybe three cans of formula total. Eventually the checks stopped coming, probably because I seldom used them. The formula club is the only way I can think of that Similac got my address to inform me of this recall. But really, you'd think they'd realize that I wasn't using formula anymore considering that my son is almost two and I used so few of their checks. Are there really people who keep giving their kids formula for this long?
The most interesting thing about this recall notification is the manner in which they sent it. It came in an 8x11 inch padded envelope, and yet there was only one folded piece of paper inside. I suppose they were counting on the uniqueness of the envelope to catch my attention--which worked, I opened it right away--but wouldn't a normal envelope with the bold words "ATTENTION: BABY FORMULA RECALL" on the outside attract just as much attention? At least for parents currently using formula? It was a voluntary recall too, not even a known health threat.
All right, I'm through musing on this subject. At the very least, it gave me something to talk about.
4 comments:
I think they were right to send you a recall notice. You may have an old can on the shelf and you now know not to pass it on or keep it for the next little creature.
I was also amused by the whole thing; I got the same notice.
I didn't even use the samples that I received, I passed them on to a friend. Neither of my kids ever had formula, I just signed up for the free samples because I know lots of mommies.
Anyway, I agree with your musings. Really, a huge padded envelope for a piece of paper? Eh, one less envelope I have to pay for next time I need to mail something!
You were so lucky that your son even drank the formula, considering he had a mommy AND a daddy who refused a bottle.
We didn't get a padded envelope. We got an email. We haven't a choice on formula, it's that or let the boy starve, the production just isn't there.
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