WIC is meant to serve people of low to moderate incomes and in areas
where I have lived, that covers lots of people, including most of the
WIC nurses, especially those in one income families. At my current
income, I would be eligible if I was part of a family of four.
WIC is a political creature, tied to the agriculture department heavily
and you see that in the choices of foods that they offer.  If you don't
eat cereal or drink much milk, there is not much left.  There is not
much for families of different cultures or families that can't handle
dairy.  I think that the formula is just a piece of all of this.
The cow's milk at under a year is a whole different issue and really
tied to bottle feeding more than anything else.  Most children under a
year are not eating a balanced diet, cows milk does not provide many of
the elements that breastmilk does or even formula, so a child drinking
huge amounts of cows milk in 8 ounce bottles is not going to get the
nutrients they need.  This is also a problem with children over a year
that are still drinking out of a bottle.  They drink much more cows milk
than anyone needs and don't get the other foods that they need.  We see
lots of anemic older children here because of this, not to mention the
tooth decay.  Our local Hmong population coming from a country where
children were not weaned until 5 or 6 have maintained that custom while
dropping breastfeeding enmasse and it had gotten to a point where
someone did a study to prove that Hmong children are not naturally
anemic but that it is related to their diet here in America.
WIC has its good points but it is also a bit crazy and disjointed at
times.  You have people contracting for infant juices in little bottle
containers while at the same time the WIC certifiers are telling people
that juice (or pop or koolaid) never belong in anything but a cup.  I
can certainly understand why clients find these messages confusing.
Our office has worked hard to be compliant with the WHO code and you
would have to look to find any formula company names, but it is a
continuing struggle.

Pat Thomas PHN
Winona County Community Health Department
Winona, Minnesota

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