Dear Pam, Unfortunately the bottle/formula has become extremely ingrained
in US culture since the 1940s.  By 1956 when LLLI was founded 18% of
infants came home from hospital breastfed.  The whole system is so screwed
up now that it will take more than simply saying we won't give you formula
(especially since this handout is expected by so many).  Actually the
thought processes in the whole country are screwed up about a lot more than
breasts/breastfeeding :-)

You just cannot imagine how pervasive it is in our culture.  Corporate
greed is also a factor.  And be prepared - as more women in US BF and BF
longer those guys will be looking for new ways to sell it elsewhere, WHO be
damned.  (Just like what is happening with cigarettes).

They push Ensure on prime time TV for adults (in this overfed nation!)  and
parents ask me if they should give their picky eaters Pedisure and Boost.
I read what Kathy said about just cutting the formula tap off.  But I
couldn't.  I'd love to  have WIC put more into BF and be stingier (Is that
a word?) about what they do  give out, sort of a transition time, to move
to everybody BF for at least a mo then come see us, then on  to 2 mo and so
on. But we have this strong "rights" groups in US who will say we can't
"force" women to  BF and you  know what - they'd probably win in court
(right to control own body). I  just think  we have to ease into it. Make
BF the more desirable thing to do.   I  hope the progress that WIC has made
in the past few years is a beginning and will eventually make a difference.


Sincerely, Pat in SNJ

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