>WIC is mostly an educational setting.  They don't do any hands on helping of
>actual mothers and babies - at least in Maryland.
I'm very glad you qualified your statement because here in MA we do LOTS 
of hands on helping.  For instance, at my office I have at least one 8 hr 
day (often more) "dedicated" to breastfeeding a week.  On that day I can 
see private consults for as long as I wish, distribute electric pumps if 
necessary, make home visits if need be, etc.  On the other days I also 
see breastfeeding women and do "hands on helping" but your correct in 
that time is limited, however if a mom presented with a problem that 
couldn't wait until my "breastfeeding only" day I would still help her no 
matter how long it took.  I am able to do this because of the recognition 
by my director that breastfeeding should/needs to be supported...and I 
will say not all WIC programs in MA are the same or similar BUT please we 
do need to be careful when making generalizations.  WIC is a business and 
is dependent on "numbers" but hopefully not at the expense of providing 
hands on help when needed.  I think also that many WIC CLC's or LC's 
(myself included) recognize their limitations within the WIC walls and 
refer out if the senario gets too complicated and that deserves a round 
of applause for using their resources well (if only MD's would do the 
same).  I DON'T think they offer formula as a solution, although other 
WIC staff may.

Ilene Fabisch, IBCLC, LLLL, WIC BF Co
Listmom wicbfnet and MLCANET
Brockton, MA

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