I have been receiving WIC on and off for seven years now.  Yes, I agree WIC
certainly, as with any other organization, has room for improvement.  I agree
that WIC recipients receive far too much milk as well as infant cereal.
There are other valid complaints people are making throughout this list.  I
would like each of you to visit your local WIC office and observe some of the
clients.  I see a difference WIC is making in some mothers lives.  In most
public school systems today health is not a required subject and it is no
wonder that mothers arrive at the WIC office making such poor choices in
nutrition.  The WIC counselor has a wonderful opportunity to help this mother
make wiser choices.  Some of us may point out to breastfeeding clients that
things have "changed" since their own mothers breastfed (or chose not to) and
we now know more now about the subject of breastfeeding.  WIC counselors have
an opportunity to take the same approach,  and from what I see in my local
WIC office,  they often do.  Just the other day I overheard a mother telling
what appeared to be grandma "Don't lay the baby in the stroller with that
bottle propped up, remember that WIC woman said not to."  I realize for all
of you cynics out there, this is a case study of one.  If I chose to, I could
give other examples.  The point I am trying to get across is the impact a WIC
counselor can and often does make in helping moms make the proper nutrition
choices.  The ideal is that education about nutrition would come from the
family, but as we all know this is not realistic.  By giving moms education
about the subject of nutrition there is an opportunity to have a healthier
society.  Even if mom knows what she is supposed to do but doesn't always do
the "right thing" (most of us are probably guilty of that at some point) it
is better that she have the correct information then relying on myths.

Jennifer Ledwick
[log in to unmask]
LLL Leader Columbus/Ft.Benning GA
Stay at home mom of four ( all breastfed, my WIC office never offered me
formula)

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html