What I wish WIC would do

I know I could've used the extra $50/month for doing something I was going to do anyway

It really wouldn't matter for some people regardless of their financial situation. They get it in their heads the BF is "nasty" or whatever and refuse to even try it. Or they're like my SIL and so jacked up on crack/meth/marijuana all the time that they really shouldn't be BF.

The thing is that formula-feeding moms can also get food until 6 mo. Nursing moms can get it until a year, but lots of people totally don't know that. If there was food for mom only for bf moms after like 2-3 mo., I think it would get more moms to keep bf'ing.

Also, they should come up w/ something better for bf babies for 6-12 mo. than juice and cereal. Eeew. I wound up feeding DD cheerios a lot that I got for ME from WIC...but not that baby cereal guck.

Now, if they gave out quality hospital-grade double-action electric breast pumps to all nursing mamas who had to work or go to school, and prominently advertise this to pg. moms, to use until their babe was a year, maybe they could get it through more mamas' heads that work and bf'ing can be compatible. So many mamas just quit bf'ing when they have to go back to work, either because they don't know you can bf and work, or because they can't afford a pump but hey, WIC formula is free... never mind that often they wind up spending money on formula anyway because WIC doesn't give enough to rely only on them.

Stipends to support breastfeeding moms are common in countries with more socialistic forms of democracy (i.e. France, Scandenavian countries etc.). From what I understand, the stipends are available to every breastfeeding mom, regardless of income or occupation. Sounds great in theory; however, the countries in question have a much higher rate of income taxation than we do in the U.S. in part because of the types of social welfare programs in place for their citizens. Quite honestly.... I'd rather pay more taxes and know that good healthcare, parental support, and education were available to all citizens, but that's another debate entirely!

To answer the OP... I think it would be somewhat problematic to offer cash for breastfeeding because of many of the reasons already mentioned, but would support offering supplemental food to the breastfeeding mother through the 18 - 24 month mark rather than cutting it off at 12 months. Also, perhaps the food choices could be expanded beyond tuna and carrots? Just a thought.

I don't think WIC should pay for formula. Period.

How about giving vouchers for lots of fresh veggies and fruit? I for one would really go for that. Milk and eggs are cheap and not all that nutritive. How about some fresh veggies?

I also wish they would give some food that doesn't fall into the top 8 food allergens! : Oh, other than carrots. And the 2 cereals allowed that don't have wheat. Yes, 2. Store brand rice Chex and Corn flakes. Yay, let me pour some rice milk on my rice cereal. Really great for my blood sugar!

OK, so I've heard they're going to allow soy in place of cow's milk, tofu in place of cheese, sometime in the next couple of years. Um, cow's milk is the #1 food allergy. Soy is #2. Hmmmm.... And all that peanut butter? Eggs? SOmetimes I wonder if being on WIC while pregnant is THE reason why Liam has all the allergies he does! I mean, yeah genetics plays a part, but I don't think I would have been eating anywhere near the amount on wheat, milk, eggs, peanut butter, etc, while pg if I hadn't been on WIC. I was on WIC w/ Damienand Liam, but not Jake. Jake is the only one of the 3 who did not have severe multiple food allergies as infant. Coincidence? Hmmmm.....

How about those veggies?

Oh, and I agree organic should be allowed. Instead of disallowing organic, why don't they have us pay the difference? The only thing I get from WIC now is the juice and cereal. That's it. I don't like getting the juice, but dh wants me to get it. Our kids don't drink it much, but he does. I don't feel bad about the cereal b/c there aren't many pesticides in grain. Virtually none. I try to buy organic b/c of the environmental impact as well, but hey, we're poor and it's free food that I know isn't hurting my kids (I make sure to get ones w/ no hydrogenated oil and no corn syrup.)

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Hehe, how ironic, I posted at the same time as OnTheFence.

Sorry, OT, carry on.

I had the oppurtunity to apply for a postion as a breastfeeding consultant for wic....they could only "afford" to hire one person....but yet they can shell out thousands and thousands of dollars a year for formula! In the area I live in only 10% of women bf after 1 month. You would think they could atleast afford to hire one more consultant!! They girl they hired had only bf'd her child for 6 months!! I'm going on a year with no end in sight! I just believe of government has there priorities in all the worng places!! :