WIC certainly functions within an atmosphere of stark contrasts. On the one hand it is supposed to provide supplemental nutrition for mothers and children at nutritional risk as well as promote and support breastfeeding, and on the other hand the US government has become the largest purchaser of infant formula in the world. At least 27% of the food budget is derived from formula rebates. There will be an opportunity to direct your comments to the WIC program as it begins the process of deciding how to change the food packages, while improving support for breastfeeding within the program. Changes are directed only through the food packages. From the Institute of Medicine's website:
"Due to changes in scientific knowledge about nutrition, demographic changes in the population served by WIC, and new challenges in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including increasingly sedentary lifestyles, increased prevalence of obesity and chronic diseases, and new dietary patterns, the US Department of Agriculture charged the IOM with creating a committee to evaluate the WIC food packages (the list of specific foods participants obtain each month through the WIC program).
The goal of the study was to improve the quality of the diet of WIC participants while also promoting a healthy body weight that will reduce the risk of chronic diseases. The committee concluded that it was time for a change in the WIC food packages and the report provides details on the proposed new food packages, summarizes how the proposed packages differ from current packages, and discusses the rationale for the proposed packages." The report can be found at http://www.iom.edu/CMS/3788/18047/26667.aspx
The Federal Register/ Vol. 71, No. 151, Monday, August 7, 2006, pages 44784-44855 issued a call for testimony on the proposed changes in the food packages. "Because early supplementation may
contribute to the short duration of breastfeeding, only two infant feeding options were recommended initially after delivery—either full breastfeeding or full infant formula-feeding. Proposed rule: Provide no infant formula to mothers who breastfeed during the infant’s first month." This is a long document but you can see the proposed changes based on the IOM report at: http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/regspublished/foodpackagesrevisions-proposedrulepdf.pdf#xml=http://65.216.150.153/texis/search/pdfhi.txt?query=testimony+on+proposed+new+wic+food+packages&pr=FNS&order=r&cq=&id=4592d45011
This was followed by a public comment period, where thousands of letters were received regarding the proposed rules and suggestions for revisions. You can view these at http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/CommentsonProposedRule-FoodPackage/foodpkgcomments-menu.htm
WIC read these and will make its suggestions which will again be open for public comment. The call for public comment will appear soon in the Federal Register. The Federal Register is the official daily government publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of Federal agencies and organizations which is available at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html.
If you want to make your suggestions heard to the USDA/FNS regarding breastfeeding within the WIC program, this will offer you a chance to do so. As soon as the call for comments is published, please consider responding with suggestions, references, and personal experience. While the changes will be made only in the food packages, recommendations of how to better support breastfeeding will be read and are appropriate to include. It never hurts to send more suggestions! I am happy to email anyone the testimony I sent.
Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC
Weston, MA
contribute to the short duration of breastfeeding, only two infant feeding options were recommended initially after delivery—either full breastfeeding or full infant formula-feeding. Proposed rule: Provide no infant formula to mothers who breastfeed during the infant’s first month." This is a long document but you can see the proposed changes based on the IOM report at: http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/regspublished/foodpackagesrevisions-proposedrulepdf.pdf#xml=http://65.216.150.153/texis/search/pdfhi.txt?query=testimony+on+proposed+new+wic+food+packages&pr=FNS&order=r&cq=&id=4592d45011
This was followed by a public comment period, where thousands of letters were received regarding the proposed rules and suggestions for revisions. You can view these at http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/CommentsonProposedRule-FoodPackage/foodpkgcomments-menu.htm
WIC read these and will make its suggestions which will again be open for public comment. The call for public comment will appear soon in the Federal Register. The Federal Register is the official daily government publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of Federal agencies and organizations which is available at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html.
If you want to make your suggestions heard to the USDA/FNS regarding breastfeeding within the WIC program, this will offer you a chance to do so. As soon as the call for comments is published, please consider responding with suggestions, references, and personal experience. While the changes will be made only in the food packages, recommendations of how to better support breastfeeding will be read and are appropriate to include. It never hurts to send more suggestions! I am happy to email anyone the testimony I sent.
Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC
Weston, MA
________________________________________________________________________
Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - http://mail.aol.com
***********************************************
Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome
|
