Why aren't mothers on WIC encouraged to bf?

[Fuamami]

http://www.nbc-2.com/Articles/readar...eid=23679&z=69

[rivkah]

Depends on the office. I used to volunteer at a WIC office and it was very supportive and encouraging of BF. I've heard others are not. Just depends.

I always though it would be a great idea to give BF mothers pumps instead of formula vouchers, though. Of course there was always the very real issue of lots of very young mothers who worked in fast food restaurants. You want to pump in the McDonald's bathroom and store your BM in the freezer next to frozen beef patties. But these girls were doing what we as a country told them to do when we "reformed" welfare: getting jobs....but I digress.

[momz3]

I live on a military post and they are VERY supportive. They asked if I wanted to be on the breastfeeding program when we brought Bryson home (they thought i had given birth). They also give classes and they have tons of info up there on why breastfeeding is so important and loan pumps if needed (neighbor has one)

[gruver]

do we know that this WIC office in the story didn't encourage breastfeeding and this mother just opted for formula?

i was on WIC when ds was born and i nursed exclusively for nearly two years. granted, i had made up my mind about breastfeeding before i got on WIC but i was most definitely not discouraged from doing it.

[Freefromitall]

with my first born I EBFed for the first 6mos (which once-upon-a-time seemed like quite the feat! )
I found the WIC office to be VERY encouraging of it. And I didn't recieve any formula vouchers while I was breastfeeding.

ETA: I don't think the WIC office is to blame in this story. We've used several offices in different states(bc of moves) and I've ALWAYS been encouraged to BF the kids. Also, it's never been intended to completely pay for a child's food(whether formula or solids) it's a supplement. You're still going to have to buy SOME.

[Fuamami]

Good points, all around. I was definitely jumping to conclusions. It just seems like there are lots of stories like this. I remember quite a few during Katrina where people didn't have clean water for formula. And I know it's not just WIC, but a whole cultural problem. It's just sad.

[rparker]

WIC in California is extremely supportive of breastfeeding. The office where we used to live promoted bf-ing and tried to steer mothers away from formula feeding.

[cappuccinosmom]

I think it depends on the office. The ones I've been to (Pittsburgh area) have been very supportive.

[JamesMama]

My WIC is very bf supportive.

And WIC is a supplamental feeding program. They cannot/should not be expected to provide for ALL of an infants feeding needs. We get roughly 8-9 gallons of milk a month, for us that's MORE than enough. For some families it's not and they have to buy extra.

[ellymay]

My WIC is bf'ding supportive they give out pumps and all very nice, BUT they don't try to talk a ff'ding mom into bf'ding but if you are bf'ding they are very supportive.

[kriket]

Originally Posted by gruver

do we know that this WIC office in the story didn't encourage breastfeeding and this mother just opted for formula?

This was my thought. I know the Ohio WIC is supportive of BFing they called me to try and get me to come in and one of the first questions they asked were "do you plan on breastfeeding" I was impressed and talked to the girl about breastfeeding and child birth for a while!

[CassiopiaTheOnly]

Yeah Dayton area WIC is VERY pro-bf. They have a big wall on the office full of mamas and babies of all ages and next to them are quotes on why they choose to breastfeed. I'd gotten help from them in the past when my supply was getting low and she totally understood when I started crying, even though my baby was almost a year old and most of my friends w/ kids that age had already started weaning. very pro-bf.

[1littlebit]

i sort of wish they would be more proactive about breast feeding though. it was hard for me to keep my mouth shut when my friend went on WIC to get formula b/c she had no interest in bfing... she could have... just said it was to much trouble... and she got her formula voucher thingies and that was that... if she could bf and she couldn't afford formula... why wouldn't she just bf? i know there is no shortage of formula but still... if you can breast feed why would you opt to formula feed if you can't or don't want to pay for it? i always feel like those vouchers should be for women and children who can't breast feed for some reason or another... i realize they can't just refuse to give them to you... but it does seem unfortunate that someone who could bf and doesn't b/c its to much trouble can just go to wic and get her formula....

[kriket]

Originally Posted by CassiopiaTheOnly

Yeah Dayton area WIC is VERY pro-bf. They have a big wall on the office full of mamas and babies of all ages and next to them are quotes on why they choose to breastfeed. I'd gotten help from them in the past when my supply was getting low and she totally understood when I started crying, even though my baby was almost a year old and most of my friends w/ kids that age had already started weaning. very pro-bf.

ooh... I live in Dayton! Do you know if you can go in to WIC and just use the breastfeeding service/people? I'm probably low income enough to qualify, but I feel like I'm taking enough being on state health care.


1littlebit: I totally understand.
I think WIC gives people formula because they are concerned about the babies. What would that mama have done if she couldn't have gone to WIC for free formula? Went to cows milk? Went to solids? I'm almost sure she wouldn't have BF after making up her mind not to. Even though formula isn't as good as BM ist's better then solids at 3 months or cows milk even earlier.

Some mamas seem to have a real issue with their breasts and their primary function. I feel like if a person had an identity crisis with any other part of their body like that it would land them in therapy. What if someone just COULD NOT use their nose for breathing, INSISTING on breathing through their mouth? Or refused to walk on their feet and wanted to scoot around everywhere they went? KWIM? Its very odd.

[CassiopiaTheOnly]

Originally Posted by kriket

ooh... I live in Dayton! Do you know if you can go in to WIC and just use the breastfeeding service/people? I'm probably low income enough to qualify, but I feel like I'm taking enough being on state health care.

I don't see why not! I'm not sure how they are about it in Montgomery County, but I know they get all happy and excited when people come in with questions about breastfeeding and/or wanting support here in Greene County. I would just go in and say "I'm not on WIC, but I really need to talk to a lactation consultant" or some such. It'd be pretty jerk if they were like "Not unless you're on WIC!!!!!"

[calebsmommy25]

I know in nys the wic program will be changing in favor of bf moms, providing even more benefits until your bf child is 1. We will start getting whole grain bread, and more $ for fruits/veggies and i don't remember if that is it or not. Stinks that it is only until 1, but i am thankful for anything we get.

Thr wic woman i was speaking to at the last appt. said she kind of felt bad with the new program cutting ff babies and mamas off with the extra's, but they are really trying to increase bf.

I have always been encouraged at my wic office to bf. I really think it depends on where you are.

It is so sad to me that this mama didn't know how much harm she was doing. It says on the cans not to water down though. It must not warn of the severity. I wish she had some good support in her life for her and her babies.

[filiadeluna]

The WIC office where my friend works is completely encouraging of BF'ing. In fact, they are starting to penalize those who stop breastfeeding by not giving them as much food & such.

[kriket]

Originally Posted by filiadeluna

In fact, they are starting to penalize those who stop breastfeeding by not giving them as much food & such.

I don't want to say "good" but, good. I feel like I know how those BFing mamas feel, It seems like if you do everything to the best you can you get penalized. Like because DH and I are married and both work full time we fall into a higher income bracket. I understand the logic, but then again I don't. KWIM?

[detroitgirl77]

My local offices are pro breastfeeding. I just wish that our packages had more value, and that they went up to age 2 for the breastfeeding package. I don't like that the post partum package is available for moms who aren't breastfeeding at all for 6 months. I'm almost at 3 years of breastfeeding now with no signs of any slowing down from my oldest!

[Lil'M]

I work for WIC as an LC. WIC's policy nationwide is to to promote breastfeeding and there are funds specifically earmarked towards hiring breastfeeding peer counselors and lactation consultants. We do everything we can to encourage clients to breastfeed including giving breastfeeding classes and information during pregnancy, and having breastfeeding women see bf staff at every appointment to give support and see how things are going. We issue pumps to those who need them and give goodies like washable breast pads to exclusively bf women.

We are constantly trying to think of ways to convince clients to breastfeed who say they don't want to.

Originally Posted by CassiopiaTheOnly

I don't see why not! I'm not sure how they are about it in Montgomery County, but I know they get all happy and excited when people come in with questions about breastfeeding and/or wanting support here in Greene County. I would just go in and say "I'm not on WIC, but I really need to talk to a lactation consultant" or some such. It'd be pretty jerk if they were like "Not unless you're on WIC!!!!!"

Actually, while I would speak to anyone on the phone, no problem, if someone walks into the clinic who is not on WIC, they won't make it past the receptionist to get to bf staff. They will be encouraged to make an appointment to get on WIC, or might be told they can certify right then if the clinic isn't too busy and can handle walk-ins. Don't get me wrong, if someone does not qualify for WIC but makes it to my desk, I will give some basic bf support and information, but I wouldn't be able to do a full consultation, watch her latch the baby on, etc. I would refer to La Leche League if she needed a lot of support but can't be on WIC.

We are not allowed to give services to non-WIC clients. So if someone doesn't want to get on WIC or doesn't qualify, they could probably call and ask to speak to bf services and if they are nice they will speak to you, but they could not get other services without being on the program.

Each WIC office gets money allocated based on how many clients they have, so at least for the individual agency, it is good for them to have more clients sign up for WIC, then they have more money to pay staff and provide services. If someone is getting other federally funded aid such as food stamps or medicaid, they would be financially eligible for WIC.

We WANT to help breastfeeding mothers and having more on the program helps justify our salaries.