Tried to post this twice privately but it came back so I'll do this thru
lactnet-sorry to those of you not interested-I thought it was important
>>Dawn-
>>        I am a bf coordinator for a WIC program in NY state.  Here's what
I know about the questions you asked.
>>-No one can force you to feed the baby anything you don't want to.  They
can't withhold your vouchers.  So you have 2 choices.  Take the vouchers as
they are and put the cereal, etc away for a future time or tell them you
want them to change your package so that you don't receive the extra food.
Between you and me-*and I guess 700 people on lactnet* I'd take the cereal
and avoid the hassle.  As a mother of 5 I have learned there are some things
you just choose not to share with your pediatrician, mother and WIC
nutritionist.
>>-They won't be happy about your immunization decisions because it will
mess up their numbers but they are not permitted to withhold vouchers for
that reason.  They can choose tomake you crazy by having you come in every
two weeks for vouchers, but if your pediatrician will give you a note they
will have to lighten upon that.  They can just write on your chart that they
informed you that you should immunize your baby and you refused.  (or
however they want to word it to cover themselves)  The problem for them is
they are audited for compliance to immunization regulations and it will look
bad on their report.  But that isn't your problem and you don't have to deal
with their problems! (I'm on your side)
>>-At least in NY, there is rumbling going on to change the cert forms so
that we can indicate any # of months for breastfeeding.
>>
>>Hope some of this helps.  Remember that you have rights as a mother to do
whatever you want with your baby.  You just have to be nice and patient and
insistant that this is the way you're going to do this and your doctor
agrees (you lucky duck!)
(If Susan Barber is reading this you may want to make believe you don't know
me!)
>>Good Luck- I sure do wish you were in my program!
>>Barbara Leshin-Zucker, IBCLC
>>Highland Mills, NY
>>[log in to unmask]
>>
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