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Date: | Sat, 20 Jan 1996 22:08:35 -0500 |
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I can understand your frustration with WIC and their encouragement of solids
at 4 months. I worked with WIC in TN as a BF Coordinator and I was faced
with these same frustrations every day. I have to say that progress has been
made with newer regulations (such as adopting the USDA recommendations) but
changing attitudes is another matter. . .
We held countless inservices and did one-on-one training with anyone
interested in learning more. I was feeling very good about it until one day
I observed a nutritionist giving a breastfeeding mother a can of formula "so
she could mix it with the cereal when the baby started solids" - the baby was
3 months old.
Even with this experience, I found that the majority of nutritionists were
very open about their lack of breastfeeding knowledge and willing to learn
more. There is a push to get as many people in and out - in the shortest
time possible. Imagine trying to help a mother with a problem in that
environment!
The program NEEDS help. If you were thinking of becoming a breastfeeding
peer counselor, please don't get too discouraged. Being on the 'inside', you
can really make a difference!
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