Dear Kathleen,

I have been reading the LACTNET items about WIC over the past few days.  Your
comments generated some wonderful responses.  It is really heart warming to
hear from the women who are working everyday in WIC to bring good information
and encouragment to other women who have many barriers to overcome.  Thanks
for getting the discussion started.

In regard to tax dollars going to purchase formula and to care for the
illnesses that may ensue as a result, I share your concern.  Yet this is a
delicate issue since we are dealing in "real time" and with today's babies.
 I like your idea to hear more on people's strategies to improve the
situation.

FYI  Mary Grace Lanese, US Delegate to ILCA, and I  just returned from the
Breastfeeding Promotion Consortium meeting at USDA.  There it was announced
that Carol Bryant and Best Start will be doing a study in ten WIC states to
determine the most effective methods of breastfeeding promotion in WIC.
  Good news!   There is so much good happening.  It will be great to hear
more about it and encourage others to get started..

There is much to be done to include basic management messages as well, now
that we know that breast is best.  More about that later.

Regarding the cost savings figures and WIC.  The 1988 figures were generated
by the APHA Committee to Improve the Breastfeeding Promotion Strategies for
the Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), headed
by Minda Lazarov.  As I recall, it was the cost of the formula package times
the number of women in WIC at the time.  For current numbers generated
through several different methods, Miriam Labbok is a good source.  She
presented such at the ILCA Conference last summer and again at the BPC
meeting last week in DC.

Thanks again for this new and fascinating communication tool, LACTNET.

Peace,

Nancy Schweers
San Antonio  TX

phone 210 824 9136
fax  210 828 1165