Just need to vent--bad wic experience - Page 2

[UlrikeDG]

Originally posted by phathui5
IWe don't give any formula before a baby is born, regardless of what mom has decided in regard to feeding. It usually takes a couple weeks to get an appointment, so if you choose to formula feed here, you will have to buy it in the beginning.

I got a full two CASES of free formula plus the free "diaper bags" with samples from giving my name to the wrong people when I was pregnant with my first. (My younger babies were home births, and I deliberately avoided giving my name to anyone who might send me formula.) Anyway, I think most people could get through the first couple of weeks without "having to" buy any formula simply by filling out the formula companies' post cards in the OB's office &/or at the hospital.

[Justice2]

I have to give the WIC office here a pat on the back. When I was preggo with my dd 9 years ago they were almost militant about breastfeeding. I didn't choose to do so then (very bad information) and was almost offended the way they pushed it on me. If only I'd have listened to them instead of my mother.....now, in another county, in the same state, this WIC office has been invaluable helping me to relactate. Even when I wasn't on WIC, they loaned me a pump. Now that I am on WIC, I use the pump unless there is someone of a greater need. Everyone there thinks that it is wonderful that Kaeleb is still nursing (even though only part time) at almost 9 months of age....now, when I mentioned the delayed vax schedule (not going to mention that we AREN'T getting anymore vaxes!) I got the standard "do you know what you are doing?" That lady really pissed me off. I calmly told her about the research I had done and she said "you read too much". Then when we began discussing my relactation, she asked why I started I told her about my research and said "See, you can NEVER read TOO much" as sweetly as I could and walked out!

Good for you for showering your intelligence onto ignorant people!

[phathui5]

I attended really stupid classes where I sat thinking -- how does this apply to me? At that time I did not know you are not required to attend the classes to get your vouchers! They cannot make you!

Maybe not where you live, but here in MD; no class = no vouchers. If someone doesn't make the class, even by 5-10 min., they either have to wait for the next class that day, or, if they were scheduled for the last class of the day, the earliest they get vouchers is the next week. (My clinic has classes once a week)

[sassitap]

Wow!

Thanks for all of the replies and support. It means so much to me and is comforting to hear that not all offices are as bad as this one. It gives me hope that things could get better. I'm definately going to write some letters----thanks for the links itsapsmom, and for the encouragement everyone. I've just recently moved down here and have been consistently suprised by how strange ap is to everyone down here. I hadn't seen a single other sling until I found the lll group. It makes me miss VT I'm so glad I can come here and remind myself that I'm really not a freak. When I've drafted a letter I'll post it here for you all to see. Thanks again!

[Peppamint]

I'm sorry to hear the troubles they're putting you through!

I hate going myself, but some weeks we are really tight and just getting some milk and cheese helps. They give us heck that we don't drink milk : but they never mention eating more veggies and fruits etc. Our appt after ds was born lasted 2 hours and I was so exhausted afterwards. They also gave us vouchers for baby cereal at 5mo (we are delaying solids).

My office is pro-bf'ing and the lactation consultant has called a few times to check up on us. She always asks the same questions and I give her the same answers. She finally noted that I nursed dd until 20mo so she said "I guess you know what you're doing, don't you? ".

I've become quite jaded and realize everything boils down to cold, hard cash.

[ldsapmom]

cereal and juice

I have to say, our IBCLC gives, on the sly, indicators as to whether or not moms should do these things. She talks openly with the group (weekly breastfeeding support group) about how introducing iron which is not bioavailable can affect your baby's ability to absorb the iron in breastmilk. I think you get juice and cereal at 5 months? She does not say it, but her head indicates whether or not she thinks babies of this age should get both of those things. Her attitude is, get them and save them, or stop them. I did not give my sons cereal due to the iron conflicts; after a couple of months, I told them we did not want anymore.

[mommy2zander]

How sad that someone is such a position would be so unknowledgable... I feel lucky that the wic nurse I have talked to both times here in NW MN is so great. She even talked to me openly about being firm with hospital staff about no bottles and pacifiers. I'm worried about this if I have a hospital birth. A friend of mine had a crazy experience a year ago. And this nurse had the same expereince of no breastfeeding knowledge or support from the nurses with both her boys 13 and 15 years ago. opps... enough negative thoughts. :P

The wic nurse I talked to went on to bring the lactation consultant into the room so I could meet her. She asked if I would like to meet with her a couple times right before and after the baby is born. But both woman went on to say that while sometimes there is a difficulty, nursing is natural, and usually everything goes great...

It always saddens me to see people in positions to educate others, that don't have the knowledge to start with. Maybe your office is full of people that didn't breastfeed and therefor don't understand that end of it. But you'd think they'd still understand the nutrition end of it. Any knowledge you can bring to that place sounds much needed. Good luck!!

jennifer
mommy to baby on the way 5/26