Happy New Year Karen, I disagree about the gift packs.  Even the poorest
moms can put anything they need for the baby into a plastic grocery bag, or
a shopping bag with handles.  They know that the formula company "gave"
them the bag, and carry those positive feelings about how "kind" the
company was to them in their hour of need.  It makes hospital personnel
feel good to think that they gave these moms "something" but   in the long
run, it perpetuates the bottle culture and the conception that these
companies are benevolent.
        In one area where I lived, the hospital auxiliary made layettes for
newborns,  and here in NH our local RSVP group knits/crochets hundreds of
mittens, hats, and blankets which we had out all winter long.   Sometimes
new moms have no idea how to wrap their babies against the cold, so we keep
these on hand in the clinics to issue as needed.   A grant writer in the
hospital could be creative, and find ways to provide moms in need with some
basic essentials.   We also need to emphasize that having the baby is only
the BEGINNING of the responsibility of the child which will last 18 years
or so.   No matter how much you provide at the hospital, it is truly
negligable in the scheme of things, and may even give the false impression
that others will be providing for the child.

        No one is too poor to be on WIC.   I don't understand your comment.   WIC
does everything it can to facilitate getting the vouchers/food to
participants, including mailing vouchers, and delivering food in some
states.   If you have questions about the WIC foods/and nutrition
education, call the 800 # in your state, or contact me and I will help you.
  Michelle Scott, RD,IBCLC in snowless NH
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