I have been a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor at our local WIC clinic for a
little over a year.  I have been on the WIC program since my 8 year old was
3 years old.  In the past, our clinic was not very breastfeeding friendly.
They really didn't have a breastfeeding program.  Then the Breastfeeding
Peer Counseling program came into the picture.  This program is great.  We
have a 45% breastfeeding rate at our clinic now.  This is WIC mom's who are
on the program start out breastfeeding.  I feel this is really good.  We
still have alot of work, but you have to start somewhere.

We do not promote formula at our clinic.  We don't have any formula out in
view.  We do not have any formula information out for the clients.  We do
not have anything with formula companies name on it--even if it has to do
with breastfeeding.  We only promote breastfeeding.  All pregnant women
coming onto the program have to be seen by the breastfeeding peer counselors
in order to get their vouchers.  They also have to attend a initial
breastfeeding class as their first class after certification.  We just
started this a couple of months ago, and the classes will start next month.
Our hope is to get more mom's to breastfeed and then keep them
breastfeeding.  We hit them with information on the benefits of
breastfeeding and do not talk to them at all about formula feeding.

Like I said, we have to start somewhere.  I know that we won't get all of
them, but my hope is to get alot of them.

Carrie
breastfeeding peer counselor
[log in to unmask]