So, at our recent 2 month check up, the pediatrician asked me what kind of formula we feed Giggles. Knowing that she has a closet in the back that is full of 2 things, Enfamil and Similac, but no generic formula from Wal-Mart, I said “Enfamil.” Not true. We buy Parent’s Choice from Walmart. I *buy* Parent’s Choice, but that does not stop me from pandering for free Enfamil samples. Giggles had Enfamil for the first 2-3 weeks of her life, she liked it, she did fine. Then we switched to Walmart brand, because its a gazillion times cheaper and we know that due to the fact that only 4 companies are licensed to produce formula in the USA (the Enfamil people, the Similac people, the Carnation people and one company that makes all the generics) we know its safe and not made in an abandoned warehouse down by the river.

We do not switch her formula willy-nilly. If I get a free can of Enfamil, we use it. I have a bunch of free Similac and Carnation but we are not using it right now. Once she is on solid foods and has a more diverse diet, I WILL switch willy nilly and we will use up all the odd freebees. But, for now, I pander only for free Enfamil, which she has had before and done fine on.

Can we afford to buy our own formula? sure. But this is a game I play. I fed the twins for free for 8 months. Yes, 8 months. I pounded the pavement looking for free formula, and I got it, delivered by the caseload. I made friends with the keepers of the closet at the pediatricians office. I took free cans from breastfeeding friends who considered it the devil’s powder. I called the companies flat out asked for it. I stayed one step ahead of the game, getting more just before my stash ran out. I made it for 8 months.

I am not trying to do the same with Giggles. I don’t have the time. And even if I did, I am learning that time is money and sometimes its easier/better to shell out a few extra dollars to pay for ease and convenience. But when I am in the doctor’s office and I can smell the aroma of free Enfamil wafting out of that closet, and the doctor asks me what brand we use, I blurt out “ENFAMIL!” so fast my tough tingles. And I leave with a can or two, feeling happy, like I won at some game.

Eventhough one of the cans I got today was expired and I had to throw it out, I still felt good for having captured it.