Content-Transfer-Encoding: |
7bit |
Sender: |
|
Subject: |
|
From: |
|
Date: |
Sat, 5 Nov 2005 11:41:59 EST |
Content-Type: |
text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" |
MIME-Version: |
1.0 |
Reply-To: |
|
Parts/Attachments: |
|
|
The WIC breastfeeding programs have been increasing and improving for many
years along with less formula given to families. I use the WIC LCs and
breastfeeding counselors for support after the mothers leave the hospital because
they are already connected to the family and many times has the staff who can
speak their native non-English language.
The WIC programs in Massachusetts are working hard to promote breastfeeding
prior to delivery and postpartum but there is still one big hurdle. Many of
these mothers don't want to commit to breastfeeding, especially exclusively
because they want their free formula.
I have worked with women who are Hispanic, Asian, and African that repeat
the same things; formula represents a social status and sign of wealth. In the
countries they came from formula was hard to come by and required extra
money. Here is the USA we give it away. I had a Cambodian father just tell me
that breastfeeding was for the poor. I have mothers leaving the hospital
engorged, expressing and throwing their milk away then demanding extra formula.
:-(
I let the WIC staff know but their hands are tied, if a mother states she is
formula feeding they cannot deny her the formula.
I blame the government on this one. I would rather see what other countries
do for mothers. Offering more food to these families is not the enticement
to stop this mind set.
I know that my dreams of cutting the formula program down to next to nothing
in the WIC program is a pipe dream but I can always hope.
Not giving up.
Ann Perry, RN IBCLC
Boston, MA
***********************************************
To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html
|
|
|