We had a wonderful day on Saturday. After much hard work on the part of our 
Coalition Chair, we received permission from our local Wal MArt to set up a 
table for the Breastfeeding Coalition at the "Baby Fair." We handed out 
information on local breastfeeding support resources, returning to work and 
breastfeeding and a general information flyer we came up with, with the risks 
of formula feeding and the helath of the normal breastfed baby including the 
cost of formula feeding to WIC participants. We figured out, based on the AIM 
suggestions for feeding volumes at various ages that the average WIC family 
will spend about $100 per month on formula. 
We were placed opposite a woman hired to market some introductory and 
supplementary foods for kids. (First ingredients sugars and based on a 2000 
calorie diet) We watched as an indigenous Mexican woman and her baby 
walked by and the rep spoke to her in a language she did not understand and 
placed some of this "food" in the baby's mouth. The baby made a face and 
spit it right out. I spoke to the woman immediately afterwards. This was the 
first solid food this 5 month old had ever had! THe baby was exclusively 
breastfed. I spent a few moments telling her how smart her baby was for 
spitting that junk out and how great it was that she was doing for her baby 
what we know to be best for him.

We saw many women expecting, with new babies, and soon-to-be 
grandmothers. We were able to dispell some myths, allow women to talk about 
their own stories of success or challenges, and ... the AIM reps did not show 
up. I wonder if they heard we woudl be there?

If anyone is interested in seeing the flyer we developed in English and Spanish 
email me offline and I will send it to you.

Loretta Porta, RN, PHN, IBCLC
Merced, California

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