Theresa makes some good points, however I would like to weigh in from a personal perspective as a former employee. I still don't believe WIC truly supports the breastfeeding mother. Granted, each state has a different leadership structure, so experiences at one program will not be the same as another.
I quit working for WIC last year when I requested that I be allowed to bring my baby to work with me for the first 6 months of her life so I could exclusively breastfeed. As a wellness counselor, I felt it was a perfect opportunity to model mothering and breastfeeding. My request was denied on the grounds that "being around these other children could put my child's health at risk." Does it make sense to anyone that my child would be at a greater health risk being worn in a sling all day vs. being in a day care all day?
Also not available to me was: a daycare within a short distance so I could go there to feed, flexible scheduling, longer maternity leave, work from home, or anything else that could have supported my plans to breastfeed (we discussed this at length).
How can an organization that does not support its employees to breastfeed truly support its clients?
Our office also did not provide adequate lactation training to staff and did not have a peer counselor program.
It sounds like Theresa's office is doing a lot of things right, but sadly that is not the case WIC-wide. I am very blessed that I had the financial means to quit, but I still have some heart burn that a supposedly pro-breastfeeding organization does not adequately support its breastfeeding employees. But again, this was just my own experience in my part of the world. Not every office is like this.
Julie Morgan, MS, RD, IBCLC
(who is exclusively breastfeeding her daughter at home and LOVING it!!)
----- Original Message ----
From: K. Lewis <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Thursday, November 8, 2007 3:12:54 AM
Subject: [LACTNET] WIC and Breastfeeding
I am posting this on behalf of my WIC Director, Theresa Landau who has been
unable to get this post through:
I have noticed a lot of "WIC-bashing" because the WIC Program provides
free formula. I also wish that more Moms breastfed exclusively .. but
remember ... it really does take a village. We need to ALL work
together to promote and support breastfeeding - community, LC's, hospitals,
and our WIC Programs.
The good news is that USDA and the WIC Programs recognize our role in
supporting breastfeeding. As many of you know, the proposed rule for
the new WIC Food Package significantly restricts the issuance of formula,
particularly for breastfed babies. If passed, the new rule also
increases the amount of other food the breastfeeding and particularly the
fully breastfeeding woman will receive and for the first time increases
the amount of food the baby will receive after 6 months. Notice ... I
said "food", not formula. We are all anxiously awaiting the Final
Interim Rule to learn what the final decision on this new food package is.
Additionally, as many of you are also aware .... many WIC Programs
provide breastpumps (hospital grade; single user double ; manual; pedal)
to women in need at NO COST to them, regardless of their ability to pay
or their immigration status. The WIC Program funds Breastfeeding Peer
Counselor Programs throughout the nation to assist moms in our
communities, who otherwise would not have access to lactation professionals.
As the WIC Director of a local WIC Program in the Bronx for the past 29
years, I am very proud that our program is not necessarily known for
our formula, but rather for our expertise in breastfeeding. We are
known as ....the Breastfeeding People! We have a large pump program, a
great peer counselor program and our entire staff is trained on
breastfeeding at various levels. Our two IBCLC's lead our charge. Many of our
staff have successfully completed the CLC course, as well. Many IBCLC's
in the community and in other hospitals refer their Moms to us for
breastfeeding assistance.
Understand, this is a very complex issue ... it isn't just black and
white. Although public policy and national initiatives, as well as
breastfeeding supportive laws (note - NYS Breastfeeding laws), can
successfully influence and support a mother's choice to breastfeed, it takes
time, resources and commitment to succeed.
Give us a chance. WIC is truly committed to promoting and supporting
breastfeeding. Indeed, the greatest increase in breastfeeding rates has
been in the WIC population. USDA and most of the states are funding a
variety of breastfeeding initiatives. I know we are not all at the
same level, but we are all going in the same direction. Join us ...
don't fight us. We are all on the same team!
Theresa Landau
***************************************************************
Theresa Landau, MS, RD,CDN
WIC Director
Morrisania D&TC
1225 Gerard Avenue
Bronx, New York 10452
718 960-2817
718 960-2828 Fax
[log in to unmask]
[log in to unmask]
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