In a message dated 7/9/04 12:16:34 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

>
> I don't know if it's just my area or what but our WIC clients that come in
> stating they are going to "breast and bottle" feed very rarely even attempt
> to
> put infants to breast let alone exclusively breastfeed. If they attempt at
> all
> immediately after birth they often then just keep saying "l"ll try later"
> while they are in the hospital, despite repeated offers of help. It's very
> discouraging and we don't know if  it's a ploy "to get more from WIC" or
> what's
> happening. Any ideas?  We have a broad mix of clientle  from wealthy to
> homeless
> and everywhere in between, all races and religions and sexual orientation.
> Sherry Weersing RNC

I've worked in three different WIC Programs with three different cultural
backgrounds, over a course of 18 years,  and can tell you what I've observed.
The biggest determination of whether a woman will breastfeed or not has got
to do with what her cultural group does.  When I worked with a group of poor
white women, our breastfeeding initiation rate was very low....something like
30%.
Where I work now, we serve primarily immigrant Hispanic women...mostly
Dominican.  The breastfeeding initiation rate in this group is very high...some 90%.
(Our duration and exclusive breastfeeding rate are not as impressive as I
wish though...sadly)

Now, in my opinion (and I believe a couple studies have also shown
this..)..is that the biggest determinant on whether a woman who initiates breastfeeding
will continue, has to do with her confidence level. Lower income woman are
often less confident than others...and their hospital birthing experience can
undermine what confidence she has. Her experiences with the hospital, WIC staff
and feeling supported breastfeeding can make a difference. Other factors, like
how the people around her..family, partner and friends interact with her can
make a difference too. (Not only regarding breastfeeding, but how they support
her in her role as a competant mother).
Sometimes I do feel as if I am banging my head against the wall..particularly
in trying to educate women to avoid introducing formula.

June Eastman, BS, M.Ed., IBCLC
Lawrence Massachusetts WIC Program

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