Forced to nurse in storage room at WIC office - Page 2

[blackapple]

Yikes! That's crazy! I love our WIC office. Our nutritionist is total lactivist- he (yes, I said HE) even helped me with my latch at one of those early visits and hooked me up with some extra sets of pump collection kits! He also gives me "goodies" like cotton nursing pads, magnets, etc each visit, not sure if that's typical. I've NIP there basically every visit- he almost acts offended if we try to be discrete hehe.

I would call and complain I think.

[frgsonmysox]

ugh! I hate reading stories like these, they make me get all angry and then my husband has to hear me rant all night. Luckily my WIC office has never done anything in opposition to me nursing. While I don't think they are warmest people, at least they've never been discouraging. I would definitely do something about that.

[justJen]

Originally Posted by NewMama2007

I would write not only the head of the local WIC office, but their regional supervisor and the state supervisor. WIC is supposed to promote bfdg, and by sticking you in a closet, they are NOT making bfing the norm, like they should.

I agree with this suggestion. You might also call (or write to) your State Breastfeeding Coordinator. (There's a list here, but I don't know how up-to-date it is. http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/Contacts/cooralpha.htm )

[bmcneal]

Hey! I'm sorry they did that to you. I wish I was someplace where some of you said you work for WIC, maybe I wouldn't be so upset half the time. I asked the LC to help me to be able to BF DD and she wouldn't. She said she couldn't help me latch, because there was no point to latch DD on if my milk wasn't coming in. : Then they wouldn't let me have a pump, because "there's no point in having a pump if your milk isn't coming in." "You are going to have to formula feed." I'm glad there's some helpful WIC people out there, even if they aren't here.

[turtlewomyn]

Originally Posted by HeatherRD

I work for WIC, and I desparately want moms to breastfeed, and we let them breastfeed wherever they want. Most moms on WIC are very embarressed to NIP, and this is one of their barriers to BF period. I always tell them that most people won't even know that they're BF, but it still weirds them out. I have led moms to an empty office to BF in private. I think they are glad.

Please, don't lump us all into one category of those awful WIC people. As with anything, there are good people and bad people. We aren't all the same.



:

Thank you for the work you do. From the OP though, it did not sound like this was the case in her situation. It definitely sounded like the WIC employee was embarrassed and didn't want her in the waiting room.

If it was soley for the mom's comfort, I would expect the conversation to go more like this:
"Oh, are you going to nurse her in the waiting room?"
"Yes."
"Would you like a more private place to nurse? I can put you in an empty office."
"Oh no, I am just fine nursing in the waiting room."
"OK, Great!"

[MamaRabbit]

So there was not a separate nursing room?

Are you sure of the intentions? Whenever I took in little babies, they strongly suggested taking a new little one into another room while waiting because there were tons of germs in the regular waiting room.

[Jade2561]

Wow. Just Wow. I am so sorry that happened to you in a WIC office none the less.

I work for WIC as well and you can nurse anywhere and anytime (and get thumbs up from me!) Our WIC office is very committed to helping women exclusively breastfeed. We have a lot of nursing moms who breastfeed in the open and if someone complains about it - they are the ones who get asked to go to another loacation. I LOVE our office. :

Ladies, if your WIC office forces you to go to another room to nurse, to cover your baby or makes you feel uncomfortable do not hesitate to address it with the clinic director and WIC director for your state.

[3pink1blue]

I really want to thank you all for your support, ideas, and suggestions. I was so shocked I didn't stand up for myself - I always read stories and thought, 'Wow, I would never let that happen to me.' But, I did.

My mom suggested that this happened because the nurse was of a different race and judging by what you can judge in five minutes (lol) a different culture. but I think if people are going to work with the public in a clinic like WIC, they shouldn't let their own personal hang-ups get in the way, or at least try not to.

Oh I should also mention that as she took me to the room I didn't realize that's what was happening, because I was carrying my very hungry, very loud baby, and a big clipboard of things I had to fill out, and his car seat. The nurse was helping me by carrying my gigantic diaper bag (my babies are 13 months apart so I have a humongous bag for all their stuff) so I wasn't really paying attention to where she was going.

...and Mr. Mouth is hollering to eat again, so I have to end this and go feed him - in bed though, not in a closet.

[kayleesmom]

wow i am so sorry that happened to you. It makes me wonder wheather ur office really promotes breastfeeding and gives new moms help with breastfeeding. from that reaction of the nurse i highly doubt. so sad

[CarsonBookworm]

Reading stuff like this makes me truly irate!
I'd make some phone calls and report that awful woman!

[thisiswhatwedo]

wow I am so sorry that happened, but please please put in a formal complaint. WIC is suppose to promote breastfeeding. What was wrong with that woman to act like you were pooing on the floor?
Man just realize how great a mom you are and empower yourself and complain, for all the other BFing moms and for your own sense of righteousness!

[mran]

Wow, of all the places!!! What were they thinking?!?!

[amandaleigh37]

I'm so sorry that happened! Regardless of her intentions, the way she made you feel is unacceptable. And who knows how damaging it may be for another new mama. Feeling shameful about BFing could very well be what makes someone quit

If I were in your shoes, I would probably write a letter and explain that the way she handled it made you feel as if BFing should be hidden. I would phrase it as to keep the focus on promoting BFing, like "I know WIC is aware of the benefits of BFing to your clients. Even small comments can make a huge impact." and maybe offer a suggestion "The next time a mom needs to nurse her baby, please say something else, like 'If you prefer a private place to nurse, just let me know.' and do not make her feel as if BFing should be hidden."

[UberMama]

Um yeah, I'd be telling people at WIC and then above their heads about this terrible experience. I'd be raising holy heck about it.

IMHO, WIC should be advocating breastfeeding as it's cheaper than them having to give out formula! Sheesh.

{{HUGS}} Mama.

[alatexan68]

I would lose it on anyone that ever bothered to say I couldn't breast feed my child anywhere. But a WIC office........ they would have heard me across the street at the county jail LOL I love my WIC office.... they would never ever discourage a mother in any way. I am so sorry that happened to you.

[Chandar]

Originally Posted by 3pink1blue

I really want to thank you all for your support, ideas, and suggestions. I was so shocked I didn't stand up for myself - I always read stories and thought, 'Wow, I would never let that happen to me.' But, I did.

Mama I am so sorry this happened to you. Please do as a previous poster suggested and fill out a report at www.firstright.org