What I didn't get at in my initial post on the large subsidy paid to formula companies through the WIC budget was the lack of money given to breastfeeding promotion. Yes, WIC does provide better nutrition than other liquids, but, it is only adequate nutrition. Not good nutrition. I'm not advocating doing away with all formula at WIC. What I'm saying is that if a small percentage of the $1.3 billion subsidy given to formula companies was given to breastfeeding support and promotion instead, what would that get us? Let's say $300,000 (leaving $1 billion) was put into hiring FT IBCLCs. That might get the WIC offices across the US 8,000-10,000 LCs! WOW! Now, if the federal government put $1 BILLION into breastfeeding promotion and support what would that do to the breastfeeding rates?????? I truly believe most members of congress do not get this picture because no one has pointed it out. I also believe that many members of congress would be happy to support something like this because we CAN show them that it's cost effective. The issue is that we haven't taken the time and energy involved (which is a lot) to mount an effective campaign geared toward our elected officials. Johanna Berger, LSW Breastfeeding Counselor Bala Cynwyd, PA Talk doesn't cook rice - Chinese proverb ___________________________________________________________________ Get the Internet just the way you want it. Free software, free e-mail, and free Internet access for a month! Try Juno Web: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj. *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html