i agree that WIC needs to quit giving out the free stuff. yes, i have seen
and heard of many case of people diluting or giving inappropriate substitutes
for formula (like the grapefruit juice wic gave out one time) when they
discovered that WIC doesn't give them ALL the formula their baby needs. this
is the biggest misunderstanding among the recipients. i see babies everywhere
with something in their bottle that is "a color not found in nature." (my
husband's phrase)

this is a good reason (in addition to the blatant ones) for WIC to stop
giving out any formula whatsoever. there is a sense of "i want to get
everything i can get" on the behalf of some clients, so the idea of free
formula sounds very appealing. before you all jump on me for dissing the
clients, think about why so many non-WIC moms use the free formula they get
in the mail? so that they get some value from it!

the tremendous variation in how WIC offices handles breastfeeding could be
greatly "fixed" if the only "product" they gave out was breastfeeding advice.
just think of how much money could be available to loan out pumps, have
really good bf classes, and even (its just shocking how i am only interested
in money) PAY people like me for seeing and helping WIC moms.

yeah, i see 'em. i just don't get paid. medicaid in colorado spent many
hundreds of thousands of dollars on viagra last year, but not one dime on
lactation-related costs (i am told).

carol brussel IBCLC
in a state where WIC is terrific about breastfeeding

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