In a message dated 8/11/99 1:45:58 PM Central Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<<  WIC is for POOR PEOPLE, not STUPID PEOPLE.  Poor does not equal stupid,
or even uneducated.  I suspect that it  is the *rare* WIC mom who doesn't
want what is best for her baby.  Many WIC  moms choose formula because they
are not sure their own milk is sufficient  or best for their baby, and if the
nutrition experts on the WIC staff are  giving away formula, along with all
their other "healthy" foods (you only
 get "healthy foods" with WIC vouchers) then formula must be the most healthy
 option. >>

Once again, thank you Kathy.  When I was the Breastfeeding Specialist for our
WIC program I spent A LOT of time educating and updating STAFF about
breastfeeding.  I feel I worked in a very breastfeeding friendly office but
it never ceased to amaze me the sample cans of formula I would see out in
view in the nut's offices.  Of course I would remind them to put them away
until they *needed* them.

Also, I agree that most of the moms I saw really had their babies best
interest at heart.  We always had our share of nut cases but so did the LC's
at the private pay hospitals!  I met plenty of wealthy, highly educated women
when I worked for a private pay hospital who are absolutely ignorant about
breastfeeding.  These women had their share of breastfeeding myths to
overcome ("You have to toughen your nipples during pregnancy by scrubbing
them with a toothbrush" comes to mind).

Theresa Chmiel, CLC, ICCE
Las Vegas, NV, USA

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