Samples of Toddler Formala placed in DD's Daycare Bag and sent home....

[Nettie]

It wasn't Nestle products was it

I use formula but would also be offended at the subvert nature of the 'giving'.

And if the centre tells you that the company sent the samples as a promotion - I'd be complaining to the ACCC and the company...

[Lulu]

I used formula for DS and I be giving the sample of toddler crap straight back to the daycare and explaining why.

Then I'd explain why I was annoyed at having to explain because a daycare should know that toddlers that eat don't need that crap.

[Doing my best]

IF it is an advertising thing, I would be peeved too that they are assuming that my DD lacks something like the crap in toddler milk (and I am a FF mother)..

But just on the off chance, is it possible it was put in the wrong bag? Maybe a FF child was using up samples they had been given, and they didn't use them that day and a replacement carer put it in your bag by mistake? I have had weird and wonderful clothes, bottles, shoes, sposies put in my DD's bag that aren't ours..

[*Beema*]

Beema - my CC centre were cool about cloth. I didn't even have to write a letter, just explained and showed them when we went for the first visit. I doubt the director is even aware as I just spoke to the carer's in DS's room. They have been great - flushing the poop down the toilet etc etc. (I use mainly Greenkids and Ecobubs). It's no harder for them than pulling out a disposable really so I think (depending on the type of nappies you use) they will be hard pressed to argue against them as more work etc.

My CC decided about 4 weeks ago that they were banning the use of cloth nappies in our centre due to OHS this is the thread it initially started as a rumour late last year, then a message just appeared at the front of our newsletter at the end of February, the thread follows on when that happens. I spoke with the Manager of the baby Rooms and she said to put it is writing to the Director, which i have done and am awaiting a response.....I use all IB's except for one Haute Pocket, so certainly not rocket science to put on A draft of the letter I wrote is here I have refined it since and shortened it up and hand delivered it

But, is it possible that they have the stuff there, given to them obviously by a rep, maybe its low code so they thought just shove em in the kids bags, that will get rid of it!

someone else had a thread not long ago about asking for a tray of samples to be removed from a childcare counter, perhaps that practice is against the guidelines but putting the stuff in their bags is a way around it?? just a thought....

They do often have samples of stuff on the counter at the front you can take if you like, but nothing has appealed to me, and it is all big corporation stuff... Lolli has the thread on the tray of samples of Nestle Formula on the front counter and she awesomely has had it removed, after explaining to them about the company's practices !!!!

mail it back to them! i find it disgusting that they feel they have the right to advertise their products THROUGH children, not on

I think the way they did it was deceiving, it was underneath her nappies (in wetbags and hat) so was put in her bag early in the day.

That is so dodgy.

The showbag you get when you book in at hospital is another example of this sort of marketing. I was so grumpy that my "showbag" was just full of pamphlets from companies trying to sell stuff like sposies and formula - the bag didn't have any information about bfing or cloth nappies. I hate this sort of forced marketing, it's like receiving junk mail despite having a "No junk Mail" sign. Blegh.

I would complain. I don't know much about Daycare Centres, but they would have a responsibility to disclose any kickbacks they're receiving from the companies - and if they're not receiving kickbacks, then they shouldn't be giving this stuff out unless it's requested. Where do these companies get off thinking that Daycare Centres will give them a captive audience?

I have to agree about the "Bounty" that you get, it is very dissappointing that they aren't promoting a more sustainable and natural way of living, even if they do have samples of disposible nappies, why not eco ones for a change.....

It wasn't Nestle products was it

I use formula but would also be offended at the subvert nature of the 'giving'.

And if the centre tells you that the company sent the samples as a promotion - I'd be complaining to the ACCC and the company...

No it wasn't Nestle.. S26...

IF it is an advertising thing, I would be peeved too that they are assuming that my DD lacks something like the crap in toddler milk (and I am a FF mother)..

But just on the off chance, is it possible it was put in the wrong bag? Maybe a FF child was using up samples they had been given, and they didn't use them that day and a replacement carer put it in your bag by mistake? I have had weird and wonderful clothes, bottles, shoes, sposies put in my DD's bag that aren't ours..

We've had a few extras in our bags before, and a few things didn't come home even when labelled... I will ask one of the other mums I am good friends with and we often see each other going in and out and see if she has received them as well.

I just pulled out the previous sample that we had been "given" and it was a promotion to win a Video Camera, you needed the sample and to then buy a 900gram tin of the Toddler Gold forumla to go in the draw GRRRRRR! I just didn't think of it at the time and it was Lolli's thread and the fact we received another sample this week that made me wonder if anyone else had received sample of it before..

[Lulu]

Oh lordy - you will have to fix a "no junk mail" sign on DD's bag....

[~Hestia~]

I actually gasped when I saw your title!! I can't believe they did that. Definitely say something to your CC.

[tk1999]

Oh lordy - you will have to fix a "no junk mail" sign on DD's bag....

I like your thinking Lulu!

[didispunk]

I personally wouldn't worry too much, they probably get given a box of samples and the staff wonder how to get rid of it.. so if everyone gets one takes it home and uses it or throws it in the bin.. No loss to them, and you can throw it away as soon as you walk out the door, or return it and they can pass it along to someone else.

At kinder DS gets samples of cups, bars, snacks etc.. some we try and some we throw away if they are not something I would normally feed my child as a snack.

Whichever you decide do what you think is best, its obviously Nestle doing promotion samples and it must work as probably 1 out of 10 of samples... someone might buy a container of it.

[Floweryfields]

That is so dodgy.

The showbag you get when you book in at hospital is another example of this sort of marketing. I was so grumpy that my "showbag" was just full of pamphlets from companies trying to sell stuff like sposies and formula - the bag didn't have any information about bfing or cloth nappies. I hate this sort of forced marketing, it's like receiving junk mail despite having a "No junk Mail" sign. Blegh.

I would complain. I don't know much about Daycare Centres, but they would have a responsibility to disclose any kickbacks they're receiving from the companies - and if they're not receiving kickbacks, then they shouldn't be giving this stuff out unless it's requested. Where do these companies get off thinking that Daycare Centres will give them a captive audience?

Don't know about kickbacks, we've never been offerred anything to promote anything for anyone. Don't think childcare is the cash cow that people think it is - if you are small anyway - the bigger mobs, well, that's another story I suppose.
The local avon lady wanted me to put her books in each persons pocket, but I didn't do that - no offers ever made to pay us anything to do it. I'm too busy doing important stuff to do favours like that.

[AndiE]

Beema, I'm with Didispunk. Do what you want to do, but I'm going to go against what the majority have said in this thread and suggest that instead of complaining this time, you talk to your centre - and your DD's carers - explain how you feel and ask that in future they don't put samples in your DD's bag. Then, if it happens again, go and complain with all guns firing.

If they didn't know you are anti-toddler formula, it was really nothing more than an error of judgement. At the risk of stereotyping, I reckon day care people looking after lots of independent little people and endless pooey bums have more to worry about than successful (or sneaky) product placement. That requires at least 3 years uni study in marketing They probably didn't give it a second thought when they put it in DD's bag ... most likely they thought they were doing you a favour if they didn't realise you don't like - or want - toddler formula. I'd doubt your DDs eating habits even crossed their minds. Whatever the case, once you talk to them, they'll know better for next time .

[MantaRay]

This is absolutely disgusting. It breaches the International code which bans giving out free samples of baby formulas and toddler milks. Sadly it doesn't breach the Australian code, the MAIF, as they don't count toddler milk as a breastmilk substitute, but nevertheless it is worth lodging a complaint with MAIF.

By getting the day care to give out the samples, it is implying that the childcare centre endorses the product, which implies that it is good for toddlers - which of course it isn't. Of course the hidden agenda here is not just to push the unnecessary toddler milk product on parents, but to also give them brand recognition for buying baby formulas. Some parents might still be giving their 12month+ child formula, and many will have a younger baby either now, or later.

Where will these big companies stop in their exploitation of children and parents?

[thepixie]

Vic totally not on! I am pretty sure when you signed up for day care you didn't tick a box that said you wanted to receive advertising and that's what this is. Do you think they are getting paid for this? Definitely kick up a big stink - wrong on a whole number of levels.