Oh, I am fuming!

I know, I know, smile and nod, don't bite the hand that feeds you. . . .

But I had a WIC re-cert. appt. today and saw a nutritional counselor as part of the process. There's one there that I adore and we get along very well. The other reminds me of a rabid dog with territorial issues. Guess who I got today?

I told her that I'm pregnant, and the first thing she asked was if I'm still breastfeeding Q. I said of course. She immediately told me that I had to wean Q now because I'm stealing from my new baby, and if I'm planning on tandem nursing, I should forget it because the higher nutritional value in my "new milk" will be bad for a toddler. I was polite but firm in that I'd done my research and that our doctor was fully behind our breastfeeding decisions, but she was SO insistent and condescending!!! She told me that if I would just be open-minded about this, I'd see that she was right. But she was completely unwilling to listen to anything I, my doctor, LLL, etc. have to say on the topic because "they aren't nutritionists." Argh!!!!!

I want to put together an information packet and a letter expressing my concerns to send to the office, so that they're aware of the bad advice I received and the current research available on the subject. I don't expect her to take anything I send to heart, but maybe the other counselor will see the problem and offer to see other mothers in my situation. I know she's done things like that before to work around this woman.

I have a few thoughts on the information I'd like to send, but does anyone have any links or sources I could look up? Never hurts to see if there's something I've missed! Thanks!

*bump* she said with a hopeful smile.

:jaw

It's perfectly within her role to tell you that you will be getting the "pg mama package" instead of the "nursing mama package" and your child will get milk "as if" he was weaned- the nursing mama packages stop when your baby turns 1 anyway. It's crazy that she's giving out misinformation and that attitude of "i'm the professional, nobody else knows anything" is downright dangerous!

The only links I can think of offhand are from kellymom.com and you probably already have that.

Ditto. I don't have any additional links, but why do people that work there give bad information so much? They, if anyone, should be up on the breastfeeding research (and just plain common sense!)

"High nutritional value" is bad for toddlers?? Hmmm, I guess I'll throw all my organic veggies out then, what a shame... :(

it makes me almost want to ask her for evidence of this information she is giving you-even if i did a full blown search on yahoo,i think i'd have trouble finding anything to support her views...especially if you look up well-respected sites like LLL, WHO etc.

i think you should send a package of information,how many moms out there who are still nursing their older babies (and don't research themselves) will immediately wean and cause trauma to themselves or their babies.

sorry you had to experience her.
sarah

I would write a letter to as many people as you can, including state government officials. It is a SERIOUS PROBLEM to have a professional speak professionally in error to those who seek the advice. I really appreciated WIC for the years I needed it (up until two months ago) and I think a letter is in order. You are NOT wrong.....

Can you get ahold of the good counselor and tell her what's going on? Maybe she can talk some sense into the rabid dog. I agree with sending a packet of information with the important parts highlighted, she may not read it but maybe someone will and remember some of it. And bring it with to your next recert if you're still tandem nursing just for backup ammo.

You are right but she thinks she is also. She's overstepping her bounds by telling you that you have to wean. It is her job to offer you options and let you chose your path. As for information; choose the most recent texts you can get your hands on and send it not only to her but to the Head Nutritionist at your WIC office.

Thanks, everyone! I was starting to wonder if I was overreacting. I know I'm lucky in that this is the first time I've ever been seriously challenged by anyone about my breastfeeding choices, but it was making me second guess myself. No more! I will definitely be sending some information to the office and to the Head Nutritionist, as suggested. Thanks again for the support and feedback!!!

I got angry just reading the post. Why do people have to be so misinformed? Uggggh. I think sending them some onfo would be great. I am scared to do WIC again, although we are eligible. I always left the appts. feeling like shit. I hate defending myself and I hate educating someone when I am just not in the mood. Come on, doesn';t everyone know by now that you can be pregnant and nurse at the same time? Geez- how can this woman work in an organization that gives out info to mothers? Yuck.

But she was completely unwilling to listen to anything I, my doctor, LLL, etc. have to say on the topic because "they aren't nutritionists."

When I worked at WIC, most of our "nutritionists" were not registered dieticians. They didn't even have degrees in nutrition. Most (not all) of them had degrees in public health, which qualified them to be WIC nutritionists.

I'm glad I read this post. I have my WIC re-cert appt on Friday. I didn't consider that I might run into this problem.

That's terrible! We've been really lucky. The nutritionist we usually see tandem nursed her own children. She makes me feel like the best mom in the world for continuing to breastfeed through pregnancy. Had my daughter not weaned herself before this baby was born, I would be nursing two. I wish everyone who worked at WIC was required to attend LLL meetings. Maybe they would be better educated on breastfeeding!