I an the breastfeeding promo coordinator for a small WIC caseload in
Indiana.  I worked there as the Dietitian for over 2 yrs and switched to
BF position May 1995.  I too wholeheartedly wish that all families would
choose to breastfeed, and WIC is able to do so much to encourage and
educate about BF.  I am proud of the WIC program because it is the only
"welfare" program that has nutrition education at least twice a year but
often 4-6 times/year.  However I do feel that the women who choose to
bottlefeed (hopefully with guilt) would do so wether or not they were on
WIC.  Many of them are set against BF, period, when they walk in our
doors and, after recieving info and education on BF, still refuse to BF
when they leave our office.  For the babies of these moms, I hold great
concern for their nutritional status because some moms give their babies
goat or cow's milk, both of which can be damaging to a newborn/infant's
digestive system, or worse than that give baby nursery water (can I say
that on here?) only, nothing else because it is fortified with nutrients
such as flouride, but no kcals, protein, or fat.  These babies are at
great risk for malnutrition and by the WIC program providing
iron-fortified formula, these babies stand a chance by at least getting
2nd best.  It is aggravating wgen so many moms resist BF, but the little
innocent babies deserve to receive the best they can within their mom's
limitations (choosing not to BF). Isn't it better they at least receive
formula and EDUCATION on infant feeding than to risk the chance of being
fed water only, soda, or a homemade recipe for formula  because the folks
don't want to fork out the money for formula?  Just thinking about the
unfortunate babes of mom's who choose not to breastfeed.  The babies
have zero say in it - at least we know we may be  helping them, or even
saving their lives.
Now I'm off my unexpected soap box.  I do agree that free formula is
counterproductive to our efforts, but the situations in some of these
homes are scary and unbelievable.  (BTW, had a mom who was considering BF
butonly in order to BF her husband, not the baby.  That's right.  She
said he wasn't BF as an infant and felt as though he missed out, so she
was going to BF so her milk would come in and then put baby on formula
and let husband nurse.  Obviously wouldn't work well but thought it was
slightly wierd.)  I guess I stepped back on the box.  Now I'm jumping off.
Carrie Wiers RD
Indiana WIC

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| Carrie Wiers          Email Alias: [log in to unmask]
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| 11745 9th Rd.
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| Plymouth, IN  46563
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