I have one idea that would help WIC promote bf more efficiently. I preface
this with the warning that , I do ** not** mean this as a flame to all the
***wonderful***WIC bf counselors and nutritionists. So with that in mind, I
request to flames back, but I would welcome useful discussion.

I believe that WIC could more effectively promote bf if artificial baby milk
were not also provided free to clients of WIC.  I realize that this is not
in the control of the WIC employees..and these decisions are made **** high
up***, probably in some tropical place in the dead of winter.  :  (
 I wonder what the subtleties of these high up relationships are, and I
doubt that these decisions are made with concern for the welfare of families
being on the top of the list of priorities...I don't kid myself ...the
pharmaceutical industry of producing artificial baby milk is the biggest
pharmaceutical industry in the WORLD.

. Maybe I am a skeptic, but this is something that has bothered me for a
LONG time. In my state,  a WIC mother who needs to return to a working
situation out of her home cannot even get a breastpump (hand held). But, she
**can** get a case of artificial baby milk if she wants it.  Many mothers do
not see that they will have to spend far more on the formula over the next
year (having to make up for what she needs after the case is gone in a
month) than what she would initially spend on a hand pump ($30? or
less?)...so she opts for the free artificial baby milk...and breastfeeding
often goes down the tubes. Sigh.

This is a source of great frustration to me. Again, I REITERATE that this
is**** not*** a flame to WIC employees..and nutritionists.I recognize that
artificial baby milk is useful and necessary in some situations.  I commend
everyone who  is in the "trenches" working to help people day oafter day. I
am also doing this day after day myself....However... it is a mixed message
that is sent concerning the advantages of breastfeeding and the availability
and seeming "endorsement" of artificial baby milk  by the US Government. I
want the government to give breastfeeding more than lip service.

Whew!

Falling off the soapbox. Kathleen
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Kathleen B. Bruce, BSN, IBCLC, LLL Leader
Co-Owner Lactnet, LLLOL, Corgi-L E-mail lists
LACTNET WWW site: http://www.mcs.com/~auerbach/lactation.html
"If money could talk, it would say good bye!"
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