The WIC program originated under the Child and Nutrition Act of 1966, was established as a pilot program in 1972 and made permanent in 1974. Any substantive changes to the WIC program would need to be changed at the congressional level. This means that a Senator or House member would need to file a bill to amend some portion or add to the Child and Nutrition Act. States have some autonomy in how to administer the program and can vary greatly in what breastfeeding support services are offered through each local agency. The infant formula rebates are used to purchase food for the program. Congress has authorized some additional funding for improved breastfeeding performance as well as for peer counseling. I wrote an article on WIC in 2002 that appeared in the Journal of Human Lactation, providing suggestions as to how breastfeeding services within WIC might be made more effective. There's more to the picture than meets the eye. One way to decrease the amount of money spent on formula would be for WIC to allow the use of store brand formula rather than just the high priced brands. Formula companies bid to provide their product to a state or a group of states. However, the price is dependent on the retail price of formula which goes up each time a manufacturer adds another ingredient to the formula. 


There is also the barrier from the social and living conditions of many of the mothers who participate in the WIC program. Remember Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Maslow's theory suggests that the most basic level of needs must be met before the individual will strongly desire (or focus motivation upon) the secondary or higher level needs. After physiological needs, safety needs come next. If people cannot get beyond the needs for food, safety, employment, financial security, support, etc, it is hard to think about breastfeeding. There is so much more WIC could do to help with breastfeeding and many people are working on this. Carole Peterson, the National WIC Association, and so many others are spending a lot of time trying to make the necessary changes. It's hard to change the formula feeding mind set. The formula companies are working harder than ever and throwing lots of money at making sure that every move we make is countered by deceptive marketing. Just look at what Nestle is doing in the US--approaching cities, writing big checks, and pretending to be a partner in reducing obesity, while manufacturing and marketing the very products that contribute to the problem.


This is what I like so much about Lactnet--the passion and concern for all mothers and babies, no matter how they are fed.


Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC
Weston, MA





 

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