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Date: | Fri, 9 Oct 2009 18:00:34 EDT |
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Please keep in mind that WIC is a huge federal organization in every state
in the United States. WIC serves over 9 million mothers and babies through
hundreds of local agencies in communities. As with any large institution
there are variables.
That being said, WIC does have guidelines for pump issuance. There is a
position paper from the National WIC Association, Guidelines for WIC Agencies
Providing Pumps, which clearly states specific reasons to provide breast
pumps to mothers. This document acknowledges that pumps may be given when
there is separation of mother and baby but not to avoid solving problems as
suggested in the post by anonymus.
In many WIC agencies, the rule is any mother should be seen by a Peer
Counselor or Breastfeeding Coordinator for any concerns. Obviously "anonymous"
does not work in an agency where these guidelines are followed.
An example recently in one of our clinics was when a baby was sent home
from the hospital with tongue tie. After her 2 week check the mother was
sent to the WIC clinic for formula when the baby was not gaining well. Rather
than giving the mother formula, she was referred to the WIC LC. The WIC LC
recognized the problem and sent the mother to her doctor for a referral for
a frenotomy. The mother was told since the baby was taking formula, there
was no reason for the frenotomy. WIC followed the correct procedure in this
case. Some formula was given because the baby was obviously not
transferring milk well. However, this was only a temporary solution. The mother was
to see the LC after the tongue tie was resolved. But our recommendation was
ignored.
WIC is making strides to meet the needs of the 9 million mothers and babies
they serve. But we are a large organization with many people. Some
agencies have moved quickly to provide breastfeeding support. Some are still
working on that move.
Are you aware that the House and Senate Appropriations Conference
Agreement on the FY 2010 Agriculture Appropriations Act provides $80 million for
breastfeeding peer counselors and other related activities?
And that an additional $5 million are slated for breastfeeding performance
bonuses? This new funding is a testament to WIC's commitment to
breastfeeding support. This is not about gadgets, this is about people
I think many agencies will be offended by the generalization of the “
abusive” or “loose” practices. In my state for example, nipple shields or
supplementers are only provided to a mother if an IBCLC determines it's use is
appropriate. These items are not purchased just to give them away. There are
purchased to use in situation where a mother may not continue
breastfeeding without our assistance.
As all of us know, there are hospitals where these devices are provided
inappropriately as well. Pointing fingers at one institution never solves the
problem. Working together to support breastfeeding does.
I was fortunate to present a Call to Action for Breastfeeding as the
representative for the National WIC Association this summer. Some of the exact
words from this paper were, "make no mistake, exclusive breastfeeding is our
goal at WIC". And it will continue to be. How many hospitals or other
institutions have made this their stated goal?
Will it take awhile to get everyone on board? Yes, it will. But recent
funding changes can help us to provide more training to have more IBCLCs at
WIC. Do we want them? Yes. I personally have worked for over 20 years as an
IBCLC at WIC. And that was my only job, not certifying participants.
These general assumptions about an organization as large as WIC are just
one person's observation in her area. There are numerous places where IBCLCs
are part of WIC. And we are working to bring that change to more areas.
The NWA Breastfeeding Committee is preparing information for local agencies
to encourage more IBCLCs. We want this change and it will come. Do not apply
a local situation to a nation.
Carole Peterson MS, IBCLC, RLC
Chairperson for the National WIC Association Breastfeeding Committee
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