I work for WIC, and what I would love to discuss is how can we best effect
change?  It seems that the breastfeeding support offered through WIC varies
from office to office and state to state.  Some WIC offices don't even have
breastfeeding peer counselors at all.  Some have IBCLCs, but they might be
functioning in nutritionist positions and are not in a position to go out
and do home visits or spend 2 hours with a new mom helping her get her baby
to latch.

WIC is a nutrition education program for pregnant women and women with
children up to the age of 5.  So to me, it just makes sense that
breastfeeding should be the central tenet around which the rest of the
program is built.  Instead, the breastfeeding support seems like a sidebar
in the program.  I realize that is because of how and why WIC began, but
how do we advocate for change now?  It almost seems like the whole
structure of the organization would have to change from the inside out.

Sonya Shaver, BS, CHES, IBCLC

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