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Sat, 29 Jan 2005 11:32:23 -0600 |
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Many WICs are really good at encouraging the breastfeeding. As a nutritional
program, it helps moms learn about healthy food choices and feeding their
kids better. And yes, partial breastfeeding is better than none....
I believe that the reality is that as a nutritional program promoting
healthy eating we are also giving a subtle message that formula is healthy
and nutritious just because we give it out for free along with the other
healthy foods for mom. Women see WIC as both a free food program and a
nutritional education program, so they rationalize that the formula WIC
gives out has got to be nutritional and ok for baby.
I don't see with all our breastfeeding education that WIC women are really
buying into the message that breast is best. I think moms also rationalize
that if WIC really thought breast was best, they wouldn't give out formula.
And many women feel cheated if they don't get all they can get from the
program (food and formula).
I don't believe the WIC program will succeed at increasing BF rates to a
high level until the amount of formula is reduced or (gasp) eliminated. I
don't believe it will ever reduce or eliminate formula because of the
formula manufacturers strong lobbying.
And I say this based on my experiences as a WIC IBCLC in an excellent agency
that spends a lot of money to promote breastfeeding.
Kathy Eng, BSW, IBCLC
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