Hi all,

Peace.

I have to agree with Debi from Oregon. WIC is about improving the nutrition
of babies. Some spend a lot of money promoting breastfeeding. Others promote
breastfeeding without spending much. In fact, some  WIC offices promote
breastfeeding and receive less money for their program, I'm told. In
Michigan 17 counties have a breastfeeding peer counseling program, a joint
venture of the Expanded Food and Nutrition Services and WIC.

>
Debie says:
>It *is* frustrating that the US government spends so much money on
>formula.  There is a delicate balance we must work with to change this
>practice.  Until the cultural norm changes to breastfeeding, many moms
>will continue to choose to bottle feed.  But, how do we change the
>culture to a breastfeeding norm, while still protecting the bottle fed
>babies?  (Let's not punish the babies for a choice their mom made).   If
>we suddenly stop providing formula, some babies *will* suffer.  I do not
>have a solution for this.

Moms who do not want to breastfeed and who do not have the money for formula
might overdilute the formula, give Koolaid (a sugary flavored drink, popular
in summer), whole milk, or whatever to feed their babies. We know what is
the best for babies but without abm, many babies would suffer more than they
already do.




Cindy
RN, IBCLC, Lansing, the Capitol of Michigan
MSU Grad Student