WIC gives formula after a year but cuts off the bf'ing package???? - Page 2

[waiting2bemommy]

Originally Posted by UberMama

they had many mama's go to the ped for a note stating their baby was still nursing and to keep them on the package. The lady at WIC said it was no problem. )

if you don't mind, what state are you in? I have a really nice ped....I'm sure he'd give me a note, but I sdon't know if this is something tha varies from state to state.

I know it seems petty, but believe me, when the weekly grocery budget is $35 for 2 people (one of whom is a pint-sized food-throwing champion, lol) a few pounds of carrots and peanut butter is actually worth the hassle.

[phathui5]

Originally Posted by waiting2bemommy

supposedly they don't, but I have heard anecdotally that it is fairly easy to get....you don't necessarily even need a doctor's note, just a skinny kid, low iron at the checkup, etc. And they seem to always have extra formula at the one I go to....

When I worked at WIC, you did have to have a doctor's note to get formula after a year.

[UberMama]

Originally Posted by waiting2bemommy

if you don't mind, what state are you in? I have a really nice ped....I'm sure he'd give me a note, but I sdon't know if this is something tha varies from state to state.

I know it seems petty, but believe me, when the weekly grocery budget is $35 for 2 people (one of whom is a pint-sized food-throwing champion, lol) a few pounds of carrots and peanut butter is actually worth the hassle.

I'm in Oregon. At that time we lived in Washington County. The WIC lady told me that they kept some mama's on the bf package until the babe was 2 y/o.

Of course, WIC's vary even office to office within the same county. That office was pretty good, thankfully.

[MSUmama]

I just wanted to add that here in Michigan, not only do the food packages get cut off, so does support. I am required to exit any mom out of the program when baby either weans (of course) or turns one year of age. We do continue support through our group beyond 12 months but I've had moms who didn't realize I'd had to exit them call me with issues or concerns. I just go see them on the weekends or after hours, how can I say "sorry, you're SOL now that you are extended BF'ing" ???

I totally believe that we should all be thankful for whatever we are given in life, across the board, but how supportive is it to say moms are cut off at 12 months? It's just not.

The week I started my position, I took my own DS in for his WIC appointment. The nurse had met me once but didn't look at me while she was talking and apparently didn't recognize my name. DS was 2 and still nursing on demand, and was very demanding, lol. The first thing she said to me was "So, when are we going to wean Chase?" My mouth just dropped and all I could say was her name. She turned around and was obviously embarrassed. She said she was just curious and it was great that he was still nursing. That nurse no longer works for our office but she was the breastfeeding coordinator when she did. The cold hard truth is that the majority of major entities within our government believe nursing beyond 12 months is useless, weird, and probably even a little creepy. We have so, so very far to go....