cow's milk too early at WIC? - Page 2

[She2dancer]

Originally Posted by SumnerRain

. With that said we decided to drop WIC because we could ONLY get whole milk, and honestly, we are a 2% family and the less foods, more juice, was just a waste IMO, I would rather give up my spot and allow someone else to take it, even though it does not work that way, I know.

I find this so amusing....my SIL (lives in TN) wanted whole milk and they would only give her at most 2%.....
While we can get any % of cow's milk we would want our family doesn't cow's milk and the only option given to me was Lactaid (ummm....no thanks....)....I was actually told to just give the milk away....

I am really suprised that state to state the package offerings are so different regarding milk....

[RoadWorkAhead]

Tanya: Are you an RD?? becuase while humans may not need cows milk, it is almost impossible to replace the fat/protein in a 1-2 yr olds diet without breastmilk, cow's milk or formula. As I have spoken with several reg. dietitans about this, I know just how hard it is...Even soy milk is not a good alternative as it is lacking in fat and protein. A MSPI kid in the 2nd year of life needs more fat/protein than the average toddler receives without supplementation with a hypo formula.

[Ruthla]

What's an MSPI kid?

[nataliebassoon]

WIC helpful overall

I am on WIC in Kansas- they have overall been very helpful although some of the breastfeeding information they have provided seems a little bit outdated. I know WIC varies a lot from state to state- but around here they are very accommodating- if dd is allergic to cow's milk, you should be able to get soy milk as a substitute, but you may need a doctor's note. We have chickens, so we were able to get the eggs replaced with peanut butter and dried beans just by asking. I really love milk and cheese, and they don't seem to bother my nursing daughter, so I really appreciate the WIC program, especially since I don't eat a lot of meat. Although I have to admit it does seem like a ridiculous amount of juice! Fresh fruit is so much more nutritious! The very best part was the free breast pump- it is just a simple manual Avent ISIS, but it works very well for me- I find an electric to be painful. I think it is said that the free breast pump isn't better advertised by WIC, though, because a lot of people don't know about it.
Anyway, if you need your WIC checks changed to fit your family's needs better, it can't hurt to ask! The worst they can say is no, and at least you tried.

[tbone_kneegrabber]

I had my WIC appointment today for my re-cert. Unfortunately in PA you cannot get soymilk instead of milk My 6mo now gets cereal and 15- 4oz containers of infant juice per month! That is a lot of juice and for a 6 month old baby!!!! I think that because the juice is 100% juice and has no sugar ADDED people think its sugar FREE

[breachaplin]

i wish wic was more suportive of bfing past a year too. i remember a few months ago it was "national dairy month" so they had posters out and a whole page in the wic newsletter about what the apropriate milk is for your child based on age (whole, 2% skim) and how improtant it is for children to get x amount of milk eachday. absolutly no mention of breastmilk as a valid option for toddlers:. i said something to my wic lady who brushed me off so i e-mailed the health department. they mailed me back with something about how they were glad i was still bfing and that they would keep my sugestion of including breastmilk in mind in the future.
i have a re-cert apointment tomorrow and i am newly pg.

[KJoslyn78]

i thinkt he amount of juice infants are alloted in insane. I and my dd's would drink it before the baby did when he was young.. he was (and is!) and excellent nurser still, who can not tolerate drinking cow's milk. I think i'm going to call the main office tomorrow to see if NY allows soy milk yet, with a Dr note. DS's dr know he drinks soy and rice milks, while still nursing LOADS (the alt milks are main for the sit down family meals - he likes to have a cup with the rest of the family!). And the amount of egg is insane also - i with NY would sub out eggs (i think the only one we can switch is beans for PB or vice versa).

I do know they changed the milk "options" (which isnt really an option now)... under 2 gets ONLY whole milk, and over 2 gets 1% or skim ONLY (which fine - we get 1% for those who can and do drink milk)... but one change they did that i liked was now we get fresh/frozen/canned fruits and veggies ($5 a month - it's something at least) year round, in addition to farmer market checks (i think $24 a year). They did a trail the last 2 winters witht he fruit/veggie checks in NY, so i guess it was a "success"

[Tinker]

My last WIC appointment was seriously annoying! They had up to this point been very supportive of our exclusive nursing. Now with dd at the time being 16.5 months old, they very heavily pushed cow's milk. When I told the nutritionist that dd had a sensitive stomach and I wasn't going to give her cow's milk she so kindly offered that I could get vouchers for soy milk. Um yes I can see how that is better than human milk. She also gave me a hard time because we weren't giving dd meat. At the time she had NO teeth! What exactly was she supposed to chew the meat with? Meat is a little harder to gum than fruit and veggies.

I'm really wondering if the hassle of their bad advise, and they are sooooo pushy with it, is really worth the free milk.

[mamadelbosque]

I have very mixed feelings about WIC - in some ways, it does help out, but we'd do just fine without it. Depending on what the coupons look like at our next appointment in march I may or may not go back. I think its totally, complely ridiculous that they stop any breastfeeding benefits after a year - if you're actually nursing past a year you should get the supplements.

I must say though that I *AM* excited about the changes taking place right now, with what is/will be offered in the coming months/year regarding fresh fruits and veggies instead of just juice. I'm also hoping that OH starts offering organic stuff, though I'm not holding my breath...

[RoadWorkAhead]

Ruth- Sorry, slipped into my geek-y food allergy terms. MSPI=MIlk Soy Protein INtolerant