[izzysmama]

Could someone please tell me what a "guided learning session with your child" is? I have not had a chance to ask someone at WIC yet, and really just want to find out if someone here has experienced this. I'm feeling really disenchanted with our WIC program here and I'm also wondering - do they do this guided learning in every program? I just don't like the thought of guided learning in a dingy government office - please don't get me wrong - I think WIC is awesome and it has truly been so beneficial for my family, but now that DD is 2, what are the appointments going to look like? I've already had it with the finger pricking (DD always tests way high), being told my DD is underweight (according to an figures on an enfimil headed growth chart), the poster showing a little infant crying with the heading, "Having a child is a real scream.", and the blank looks I get when I say the DD is still breast feeding every.single.time.
I guess I'm just a bit bummed, because like I said, we could really still benefit from WIC but I just have my limits. Has any one eelse stopped using WIC because they feel like the program is not what it used to be?

 

[bandgeek]

Sorry, I have no idea, I've never heard anything like that. Are they talking about sitting down with the nutritionist and learning about what your child is "supposed" to be eating? That's all I can think of. DS is 2.5 and when we go, we do paperwork, then get our iron checked, then see the nurse (because I'm pregnant), then we see the nutritionist.

There are other optional classes, like parenting and breastfeeding classes, and also a car seat program, but none of it is mandatory.

 

[dubfam]

HI,
I don;t know what they are refering to. I quit doing WIC when they wanted to prick DS. I hated dealing with those people. I remember the lady being disapointed when I told her I was Vegan. She told me I needed to be drinking 5 Glasses of cows milk per day!! Otherwise my baby wouldn't get what he needed from my breastmilk (I had my 1 week old DS with me who weighed 11 pounds!) and that he wouldn't gain weight!!

The services they provide are important but they really have a way of making you feel stupid.
My friend had a man at WIC tell her that she was gaining too much weight (she was 7 months pregnant) and that she was probably going to need a C-section!! This was after she told him that her OB and her MW were both fine with her weight gain. He just wouldn't leave the issue alone and just kept telling her that she was too big!!!!!

So sorry that I don;t have any advice for you, just wanted to let you know that you are not the only person who is turned off by WIC.

I would definitely find out what they want to teach your child before you go in. There is a point where all the free milk, juice and cereal in the world wont make up for whatever it is you have to go through to get it, KWIM?

Good Luck!

 

[thepeach80]

Is there another clinic you can go to? The one we've used in the past was happy I nursed for so long, though I'm not sure what they'd do at 2.

I'm assuming you'll just meet w/ the nutritionist and go over portion sizes etc. We're at the point where we're about to get back on it again and I'm not really looking forward to it, but it helps a lot w/ the formula supplementation.

 

[Leylla]

I was disenchanted w/ WIC when they said my 29lb 1 year old needed 60oz of formula if I chose to keep him on it past 12 mo. She also made fun of the fact he had PKU and is basically a vegan. She actually said it was silly that he ate zuchini sticks, and asked what was wrong w/ french fries. Shall I go there, outside of the the whole protein issue?

I tolerated it till I could afford to buy his own formula, but $245 for 6 small cans of powder is high....So when he was about 2 we got off completely, and I've never been so thankful.

Granted when we were fostering DS2 they covered his formula as well, but the new nutrition lady wasn't nearly as overbearing and had a few ounces of sense.

And to answer to OP, have NO idea what those classes are about...

Steph

 

[izzysmama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubfam The services they provide are important but they really have a way of making you feel stupid. I would definitely find out what they want to teach your child before you go in. There is a point where all the free milk, juice and cereal in the world wont make up for whatever it is you have to go through to get it, KWIM?

ITA!!!! I think I'm at that point!

Quote:

Originally Posted by thepeach80 Is there another clinic you can go to? The one we've used in the past was happy I nursed for so long, though I'm not sure what they'd do at 2.

That's what sucks, we moved from a town where I really loved the WIC staff - they were awesome and would totally make a big deal of your breastfeeding. It was bright and cheerful and there were Anne Geddes pics all over the place! I've been to the office here and the other closest one about thirty minutes away. I was totally turned off at the other one because the woman in charge made a point of degrading her employees in front of me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leylla I was disenchanted w/ WIC when they said my 29lb 1 year old needed 60oz of formula if I chose to keep him on it past 12 mo. She also made fun of the fact he had PKU and is basically a vegan. She actually said it was silly that he ate zuchini sticks, and asked what was wrong w/ french fries. Shall I go there, outside of the the whole protein issue?

OMG! OMG!

 

[mammal_mama]

We were on WIC with my oldest, and when she was past 2, I just checked "2% milk" on the form (even though she was still consuming way more of my milk than the 2% milk); I just didn't want to deal with any weirdness over extended breastfeeding. They were so positive about me being a breastfeeding mom when I enrolled her (even said they knew we'd qualify because I was breastfeeding, I guess it's cheaper to help a breastfeeding family), then acted kinda shocked when she was still exclusively breastfed at 5m.

I never had to take any classes; in my state they have parents fill out a form where you check off how often your child eats various foods, and I think they only require you to take classes if you seem unaware of what constitutes a nutritious diet. Of course, I may have been discriminated against if we were vegan.

 

[lilyka]

I guess I just gave them whatever information I wanted (and in the right answers, not necessarily the truth), let them poke us and weigh us and got our checks. it was bout $40 a month in food per child. Good stuff too. Natural peanut butter, real cheese, milk free of rBGH, cheerios. kix, chex and life cereal, about 50 different juices to choose from, etc

Since then WIC has really started going down hill around here. i work at a grocery store and the average check amount id about $5 (if you are not on formula) so you get about $15 per child in food. and your choices are non-existent. There are about 3 cereals, 3 juices and 2 brands of peanut butter, one brand of medium eggs (and heaven help us if they happen to be on sale because them we run out) and cheese that you can get. And you get about half what they used to give. they might as well box it up there at the office and skip the whole check process. it would save them money in the long run. but at that small amount and for such limited choices I wouldn't bother driving across town and wasting my time anymore. before it was a good deal but now I could easily save that much clipping coupons.

 

[cutekid]

WIC is different in every county and state. I was on WIC until my DS was 2. I had a love hate relationship with WIC. I loved the free milk, cheese, eggs and cereal. I HATED the two hour wait or having some lady tell how to eat who has NEVER breastfed.
The WIC program in our town is making huge strides towards breastfeeding 25% of the babies who are breastfeeding in the hospital are still breastfeeding at 6 months. Before they started the peer education program the rates were below 10%.
The program has also started giving "Fresh food" vouchers to use at the farmers market. I think thats wondeful, if you are breastfeeding and infant, you get two of those vouchers.
As for finger pricking, I always made it a point ot nurse my DS for those encounters. Infact, the first time I did it, the nurse couldn't believe it. The next time I came in she told me she's been recommending that all breastfeeding mama's latch on.

WIC has its pros and cons, and its up to you if its worth it. For me, it's not worth the time for 4 gallons of milk, 24ozs of cereal, 2 dozen egges, Peanut butter or dried beans, 4 bottles of juice, and 4lbs of cheese.

Denise

 

[mammal_mama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cutekid The WIC program in our town is making huge strides towards breastfeeding 25% of the babies who are breastfeeding in the hospital are still breastfeeding at 6 months. Before they started the peer education program the rates were below 10%. Denise

I wonder if that's why they told me up front that they knew I'd qualify because I'm breastfeeding -- if maybe they're more likely to qualify nursing moms, not just because it's cheaper to supplement our nutrition than to buy formula, but to improve their breastfeeding statistics?

When I applied, my dd was like three or four months old and still breastfeeding -- so I think they knew it was likely she still would be at six months ... and of course she nursed way beyond that, but I quit telling them after she was about two: they seemed pro-breastfeeding but not THAT pro-breastfeeding, ya know?

 

[wendy1221]

There are 2 offices in my town. THe one in the main part of town is absolutely awful from what I've heard. I've always gone to the one on campus. THe old nutritionist was absolutely wonderful, she encouraged me to tandem nurse Jake and Liam when I was pregnant. THe new nutritionist is not quite as great as the old one, but is still absolutely wonderful. She was still nursing her 3 year old last time I went. I haven't gone in about a year. Liam and I have too many food allergies. We're allergic to everything but the juice, so there's no point in getting WIC since I don't give my kids juice very often. I keep thinking about going to get the farmer's market checks, but I'm not sure if it's worth the hassle.

Oh, they've never given me a hard time about no shot records either. I just tell them they're up to date per our ped and just "forget" to bring in the records. They can't refuse to give you checks for not having vaccinated.