I second the point made about this: we are not criticizing the WIC counselors and LCs. We are criticizing the program.

The program would be hard to change, as it is so entrenched in the USA healthcare system and hospitals and for mothers all over the country.
So much so, that most mothers just cannot fathom taking care of their baby without the WIC formula.

If WIC is first and foremost a nutrition program (what is WIC doing for, and giving, it's pregnant clients and 2, 3, 4 yr old clients???), then it needs to focus
on good nutrition. My understanding is that it is giving nutrition education and vouchers for (healthy) food items to it's clients. If not vouchers, then they shop
at WIC food centers where they can get beans, peanut butter, cheese, whole grain cereals, etc.

So then why not offer nutrition education re infant feeding? Vouchers can be given for approved food choices. If the mom chooses not to bf, even after the education, support is there, then she can use her voucher to buy infant formula. She can buy any brand she wants. If she breastfeeds, she can buy carrots or whatever else she wants to cook for herself or her older baby and family.

I truly believe, after working 33 yrs with thousands of WIC clients in predominantly low income, Medicaid and WIC population in 2 poor southern states (as a hospital LC, not as a WIC LC), that breastfeeding rates would increase if this were the way that WIC worked. We cannot be responsible for a mother using her voucher for chicken breasts, for example, instead of formula, and feeding her baby koolaid. She can do this now anyway, if her monthly allotment of formula runs. She can water down the formula she gets from WIC today, if she is running out, rather than go buy more formula, which is what she has to do now.

Supply the education and support for good nutrition to pregnant, bf clients and children, and DO NOT BUY OR DISTRIBUTE ANY FORMULA AT ALL.
This is the change I would like to see. The formula companies that bid for WIC contracts would have a fit. But why would women have a fit? They will be able to get what they need for their babies at the grocery store.

Laurie Wheeler RN MN IBCLC
Mississippi USA




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