Opinions on WIC? - Page 5

[frugalmama]

Originally Posted by Norasmomma

It's supposed to be Oct 1st. So that may be why.

yep, October 1st.

If you get benefits issued prior to that date, you will be issues x many months of the old food package {up to 3}. Check with your WIC office though - I know ours said just come in after the 1st and they will convert it to the new package.

and also I know in Texas all WIC clinics will be closed Oct 1-3 for the switch over.

[Beppie]

Originally Posted by Porcelain Interior

The appointments that would last all day, being stuffed inside a church lobby with tons of people and their 800 screaming kids, being patronized and told you need to fork butter and whole milk into your kids or you're basically starving them was for me a bit much.

I didn't really enjoy the grannies squeezing and stripping my kid, doing pokes and lecturing me like I fell off a turnip truck.

I hear that the offices aren't all like this. I'm really glad!

Our office isn't like this at all But then, we're out in the middle of nowhere, so there just aren't tons of people around.

Also, the public health nurses here know I breastfeed my kids for a long time, and whenever I go in, they always joke when it comes to the information on breastfeeding that I should be teaching them. For me, going in for an appointment is more like having a nice conversation with someone who agrees with me on nutrition/breastfeeding, etc. Last time I had an appointment, I ended up chatting with the nurse about homebirth (her sister was considering it, etc etc). It was actually a lot of fun!

Maybe that's the exception, however, and not the norm!

[Hey Mama!]

I recently got my youngest dd back on WIC because of the new food packages. I have been on WIC in 4 states and really each one is so different. In NE I had to continously get a doctors prescription for soy formula for my oldest and told I was fat at every visit. I was able to get a hospital grade pump in HI even though I was a sahm because of ftt issues with my middle child. I went only once in TX, I was breastfeeding and my older kids would not consume all that food and I felt it was wasteful. The office here is small, they know my vax stance and don't lecture me about it. I haven't had any comments on my dd's size; she is 4 years old 42" and 44lbs. Very tall and big. They were blown away that I breastfed past a year old, very congratulatory. I have been behind the scenes at a WIC office all last year and they are so backed up from understaffing and people just plain not showing up on time for their appts. I know it is frustrating to wait but they don't do it on purpose.

[shepremiers]

I have my first wic appointment since the food package changes tomorrow and I am really disappointed that I can't buy diced fruit or veggies. We don't use cereal or purees. Maybe I could get banana and mango and use them for smoothies or shakes?

[frugalmama]

Originally Posted by shepremiers

I have my first wic appointment since the food package changes tomorrow and I am really disappointed that I can't buy diced fruit or veggies. We don't use cereal or purees. Maybe I could get banana and mango and use them for smoothies or shakes?

can you use it in other things?

I used to get the fruit ones, like applesauce and put it it cakes & breads. You can also use the veggie ones breads & meatloaf.

I hate the baby food on wic too - but it can be used. The cereal I used to use for bread crumbs on things.