Many WICs are really good at encouraging the breastfeeding. As a nutritional 
program, it helps moms learn about healthy food choices and feeding their 
kids better. And yes, partial breastfeeding is better than none....

I believe that the reality is that as a nutritional program promoting 
healthy eating we are also giving a subtle message that formula is healthy 
and nutritious just because we give it out for free along with the other 
healthy foods for mom. Women see WIC as both a free food program and a 
nutritional education program, so they rationalize that the formula WIC 
gives out has got to be nutritional and ok for baby.

I don't see with all our breastfeeding education that WIC women are really 
buying into the message that breast is best. I think moms  also rationalize 
that if WIC really thought breast was best, they wouldn't give out formula. 
And many women feel cheated if they don't get all they can get from the 
program (food and formula).

I don't believe the WIC program will succeed at increasing BF rates to a 
high level until the amount of formula is reduced or (gasp) eliminated. I 
don't believe it will ever reduce or eliminate formula because of the 
formula manufacturers strong lobbying.

And I say this based on my experiences as a WIC IBCLC in an excellent agency 
that spends a lot of money to promote breastfeeding.

Kathy Eng, BSW, IBCLC 

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