Pat said "No one seems to explain this early on when breastfeeding is
possible." (that the mothers will need to buy supplementary formula)...

I beg to differ!

At least in California WIC offices this is REPEATED to the mothers OVER AND
OVER throughout the pregnancy (if they choose to come in during the
pregnancy, which many don't) AND during their first visit (which is usually
way AFTER the fact - when the choice is not breastfeed vs bottle feeding but
how much formula is your baby taking?) 

The reality is that many moms don't plan...
 - they didn't plan the pregnancy
 - they don't plan to attend the WIC educational interventions during the
pregnancy (which include breastfeeding, how to use the coupons and that THEY
WILL RUN OUT of formula)
 - they didn't plan or even think about breastfeeding as a choice (because
they didn't attend the programs mentioned previously)
 - they don't plan on saving their food stamps to supplement the purchase of
additional formula (hoping to get some at the food bank - which rarely have
it)
 
Many of the moms on WIC have very chaotic lives, with little planning or
anticipation of how to overcome problems.  They assume they will get formula
"gifts" - even though their friends report to them THEY ran out of formula -
and when they DO run out of formula they call all over the place and are
shocked that there is none!

Priorities are: get food for the family TODAY - get money to cover the rent
THIS WEEK - get resources to cover the prescriptions they need and (perhaps)
keep their MD appointments...planning for what to do when they run out of
formula...NOT NOW!

We have to realize that under the "Maslow Hierarchy of needs" formula for
the next baby is above the basic needs of food, shelter and clothing for
TODAY!

Jeanette Panchula, BSW, RN, PHN, IBCLC
...who often wonders if she would ever have survived under the circumstances
her patients live!


 

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