I got a free pump today for ebf'ing

[Gumby]

I went in for a WIC appt a couple weeks ago and while there the women applauded the fact that I'm bf'ing only. Apparently a lot of women supplement as well.

And because I'm ebf'ing, I get a free Medela pump! To keep! I went and picked it up today.

I wonder, are all WIC facilities capable of this?

[HomeBirthMommy]

Wow-cool for you!

[theboysmama]

our WIC office gives you a pump to keep if you are going back to work or if you have a dr's note that you have to pump exclusively.

all nursing moms get a medela hand pump though

[mamadelbosque]

Wow thats awesome... I just talked to the wic folks this morning about setting up a new next-appointment... seemed happily surprised I was still bf (at 3.5 nearly 4 mos

[KJoslyn78]

Originally Posted by ergonyer

Wow thats awesome... I just talked to the wic folks this morning about setting up a new next-appointment... seemed happily surprised I was still bf (at 3.5 nearly 4 mos

my nursling is just over 1 and i am still nursing and was never offered a pump... so i doubt all WIC offices do this.. but cool for you that yours does!!

I had our appt last week actually and the nutritionist i had was not the one i usually see, but some very old grandmotherly ASSUMED he had been on formula ("he'll get whole milk now that he isnt on iron-formula".. no formula - we're nursing") and then assumed we had STOPED nursing (so i nursed him right there in FRONT of her!)... i don't think she liked me very much around here it is VERY common for WIC parciptants to still be BFing by 3-4 months

[phathui5]

When I worked at WIC, we lent electric pumps to moms who had to work full-time (and frequently ran out or had a waiting list) and gave manual pumps to moms who had to be away from their baby part-time.

[hunnybumm]

Our WIC office does not do this, it definitely depends on the area. 4 years ago when I was pregnant with DS#2 they told me that they offer a $50 coupon for our BX (store on base) toward a breast pump. They also said the coupons were in limited supply so I never asked for one.

DS#2 is still nursing at 1 1/2. When I went in when he was 1 year they told me I need to cut back on nursings and offer food or milk before breastmilk. I told them he was nursing 6 - 7 times a day and they said that was way too often. I refused to give him cows milk so they threatened to take away WIC for him. They are suppose to be breastfeeding friendly, they said if we had any breastfeeding issues they could assist me, but they are definitely not. Thankfully my peds office is BFing friend and they have a couple LCs.

[pinksprklybarefoot]

In my county, medicaid covers breast pumps so WIC does not (most mothers that qualify for WIC qualify for medicaid).

The WIC office does have a LC on staff that women can call with questions.

[christiab]

Originally Posted by BrittanySmiles

I went in for a WIC appt a couple weeks ago and while there the women applauded the fact that I'm bf'ing only. Apparently a lot of women supplement as well.

And because I'm ebf'ing, I get a free Medela pump! To keep! I went and picked it up today.

I wonder, are all WIC facilities capable of this?

AZ WIC does this at most clinics. The state WIC program provides pumps to the local agencies. It is an optional program for the local agencies, though. They can choose not to stock the Pump-in-Styles. The guideline is give a PIS if the mom nurses at least once a day, no questions asked.

[melikahiwa]

here they have them if you ask, but they don't let you know that

all over the walls here there are bf signs though and on the door there is a pic of a mom nursing - latch and all

[Momsteader]

They do it here in Montana. Also all the workers in my local WIC office are CLC's!

[earthmommy2]

I didn't get one...but have only been to 1 WIC appt. I was impressed to find out that the LC's look for BFing moms who are interested in being peer counslors for other WIC moms...so I threw my hat in that ring.

[2Sweeties1Angel]

Our WIC office looked at me like I had 2 heads a couple of years ago when I asked if they had any pumps to loan out/give away.

[Equuskia]

Same here, I had to fork over the $300 bucks for my own PIS. I had asked WIC but they said they didn't help with that.

[Gumby]

Originally Posted by earthmommy2

I was impressed to find out that the LC's look for BFing moms who are interested in being peer counslors for other WIC moms...so I threw my hat in that ring.

That's great!

Just think how much money would be saved if WIC didn't supply so much formula : ...but that's a whole 'nother thread...

[timneh_mom]

Our WIC here in Midland, MI does the same, at least that's what the BF support person told me!

[bluegrassgirl]

The WIC program in my area will give you either an electric or manual Medela or Ameda pump if you are exclusively breastfeeding, regardless if you are working or not. They also offer free lactation counceling.
I recently got a new Ameda Purely Yours pump from them, when my PIS pump quit working. My social worker told me once that she has ony had 5 clients in my city that exclusively breastfeed their babies, the rest use formula.

Jessie
(single mommy to Emma, 3 years and Angela, 2 years )

: : : :

[s_kristina]

The WIC office in my county in FL also has hand pumps they give out if a mom asks for them. They do have a limited budget though so they don't give them out unless a mom asks for them. They also have a couple hospital grade pumps they rent out to mothers who need them. I am not sure if they have any other electric pumps or not. I know they have at least 2 IBCLCs between the offices in this county.

[tuansprincess]

That is great! The WIC program in Oklahoma does that as well. I got an Ameda Purely Yours. It works great but I cringe everytime I use it because I believe the same coy makes circumstraints as well.:Puke

[mommyddeville]

WIC here in Washington gives out pumps, but only if you have to work full time or if you have a special circumstance (like an NICU baby). I can respect that.

When I started on WIC 2 1/2 years ago with my first child, I was looked at like I had 2 heads for breastfeeding. They were also upset that he didn't gain enough weight, and he was so small. When I had my daughter 9 months ago, they were kind of neutral on the breastfeeding issue. Now, they're hiring peer breastfeeding counselors! I was shocked and thrilled to hear that.