Actually, the timing of giving cereal on WIC checks varies from state to
state.  In Massachusetts, we add it at five months, not four months. I advise my
exclusively breastfeeding mothers/or primarily breastfeeding moms to wait until
six months. (I tell them, buy it but wait to give it-I tell them, your
breastmilk is perfect until six months, its the formula feed babies who need the
addition of cereal)
And you're right, the timing of when WIC adds cereal is the same regardless
of feeding status. And I agree that it's a little conflict when it doesn't
match the wait until six month recommendation. (But not as nearly as big a
conflict as WIC giving formula period, but that's an entirely different and perhaps
pointless discussion at this time)

With our particular population (Latina immigrants), the larger problem isn't
early intro of cereal as it is putting it in the bottle with formula (or even
breastmilk). I"ve had Latina mothers who were exclusively breastfeeding not
know how to feed cereal since their baby wasn't using a bottle!  I do alot of
education about spoonfeeding with this population. I get much more concerned
about the manner of the feeding method rather then the age of the baby (as long
as we're talking at least four months old).
Gotta pick them battles.

June Eastman, BS, M.Ed, IBCLC
Lawrence Massachusetts WIC Program

> Subject: WIC &cereal at 4mths
>
> With the ad campaign (by US govt) and AAP guidelines regarding exclusive =
> breastfeeding for 6mths why does WIC (ran/funded by US govt) still give =
> out cereal at 4mths? I did ask at my local WIC office a RD who said =
> various things as the conversation progressed---some parents want to =
> start them at 4mths, drs want them given at 4mths, they need them. We =
> finished the conversation as parents don't have to give them even though =
> they are on the checks. To me this sends a message of encouraging =
> introduction of solids of 4mths. Also, the cereal (at least at my local =
> wic) is given at 4mths regardless if you are breast, bottle or both. It =
> will be hard to get moms to exclusively breastfeed for 6mths with =
> conflicting information.
>
>


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