Sonya you made great points.  As much as I would love to see a day when WIC stop providing free formula, at this time doing that may not be in the best overall interests of families using WIC.  A vastly better cultural framework needs to be in place first.  Decent maternity leave is the first thing that comes to mind.  Mothers were often needing to return to work when they were just 4 weeks post-partum.  And the high school students are expected back in class after just 2 weeks.  It's tragic.  Preserving partial breastfeeding can sometimes be a major victory.

In my area each year WIC has been paying for trainings and for nutritionists and peer counselors to take the boards.  So at least around here WIC helps to certify more IBCLCs.  Do they end up getting paid more and are they doing lactation consulting as their primary work?  Usually not. 

Erin Michaud, IBCLC and WIC alumni
www.worcesterbreastfeeding.com

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