The best teaching tool a WIC peer counselor has is her baby, present
with her at the WIC clinic. As Karleen said, the fact that the PC is a
peer, another mother, is the point. There is no better advertisement for
breastfeeding than a healthy, exclusively breastfed baby, and no better
reply to many of the concerns mothers have about breastfeeding ("will it
hurt? Is it even possible to make enough? But I'm busy!!") than to see a
peer counselor nursing, changing diapers, kissing and otherwise
mothering normally, all while carrying her happy baby around in a sling
while she speaks to other mothers about breastfeeding. It works
wonders. A WIC mom sees a peer "do it" and realizes that, perhaps, she
can too :-)
And at any rate, the WIC mom isn't necessarily open to (much less
actively "seeking") "advice" prior to seeing that the counselor is
someone with whom she can identify. The presence of the PC's baby sets
the stage; it helps open the WIC mom up to what the PC has to say....
Regina M. Roig-Romero, BS IBCLC
Senior Lactation Consultant
Miami-Dade County Health Dept WIC/Nutrition
Breastfeeding Program
7785 NW 48 ST, Suite 300
Miami FL 33166
(786) 336-1333 x16219
(786) 336-1302 fax
(786) 336-1336 Breastfeeding Helpline
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-----Original Message-----
From: Marie Ivey [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2010 9:40 PM
Subject: Re: Peer Counselors and their babies -- and WIC
"Wouldn't the Peer Counselor be setting a poor example to her peers? If
she leaves her baby behind, the others are more likely to follow suit."
I might be missing the point...but *I think* there is a difference in a
LLL meeting (which is a support group) and a breastfeeding mother
seeking advice from a paid WIC peer counselor.
Just my 4 cents : )
Marie
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