A concern regarding a previous post

[molyflogs.livejournal.com]

Please, forgive me if this is out of line, and by all means, feel free to delete it or ask me to. I'm really not sure if this is appropriate or not, so I'm going for it and hoping for the best.

A couple of days ago, I posted to the community offering a few coupons and a sample of infant formula that I got in the mail, but do not want. I know and understand that breast feeding is a hot button issue with a few people, and I expected a little discussion. That's fine and good.

What I did NOT expect was four separate PMs from people essentially telling me that I am an awful person for offering to give these things to people, rather than throwing them away. Well, one of them wasn't quite so... vicious, and instead URGED me to just throw them away, but in the others, I was called everything from a "formula company shill" to an "anti-feminist" to "a person who clearly finds no value in the bond between a mother and her baby."

Come on, people. I'm nothing more than a woman who is 38 weeks pregnant, received something in the mail I thought someone else might find some value in, and thought I'd do something nice by offering to pass it on to someone who might need or want it. I really DO appreciate those of you who sent me supportive messages, offering lactation consulting or referral to such a service, should I need it. I, however, think it's pretty out of line for people to jump down my throat over what was nothing more than what I thought was a nice freebie to someone who wanted it, given that I did not have any use for it.

I'm sorry if my posting the other day offended anyone. It wasn't my intention. That said, some of the responses I received were wholly out of line, and I urge you to think about what you're actually saying to someone, in the context in which is it being said before you jump down their throats and make them feel like they're doing something wrong over something as small as some coupons.

Comments

[thespian.livejournal.com]

I didnt say that she would fail, by any means. But she said that she was sure she wouldnt need them, though not having breastfed yet and if turned out not to work once the infant was in her arms, she might want the $20 in coupons and the $8 half size sample.

molyflogs seemed to take my advice as it was meant, mostly as the local gets sort of insane for a deal person bringing it up.

I did, sadly, comment that strident breastfeeders (and I dont consider you strident, since you are not making that decision for other people) were around, and I am sad that any of them bothered her, since it *was* a nice thought to share locally, Ive just seen too many of our friends struggle with this to feel that any mother, pre-birth, can be a zillion percent sure that theyll be able to breastfeed.

[bombardiette.livejournal.com]

As a failed BFer who really saw no need for the formula or coupons, I thought the same when I saw the OP, but it certainly didn't occur to me to offer the, "Hey, I failed, you might too, hang on to 'em," speech. To each their own and it was a great gesture.