>Sorry, I've never been able to understand why WIC mothers are helped to
>bottle-feed.

>The BFHI is quite clear that mothers should not be given group instruction
>on bottle-feeding, although they may be given *individual* instruction on
>preparing formula and sterilizing bottles.  This is time-consuming and
>expensive. Which results in little instruction in bottle-feeding being seen
>to be necessary. If this requirement could be adhered to in the WIC program
>then perhaps there would be a quick jump in breastfeeding rates.  Perhaps
>this is too simple??
>
>How does teaching bottle-feeding tie in with the LC Code of Ethics?
>
>Pamela, Zimbabwe  (where "poor" mothers and babies absolutely have to
>breastfeed because no-one will give them any hand-outs).
>

Dear Pamela,

        Yesterday I led one of two monthly breastfeeding support groups that
are routinely held for the WIC mothers in my rural county. Not all WIC
programs (and I don't know of any off hand that do) provide group
instruction on bottle feeding. We surely do not.

        Maybe there are some (I'm not surprised at anything - much -
anymore!) But somewhere in the WIC literature that I read five years ago
when I first started my job as the breastfeeding coordinator for Lake County
CA WIC (CEMR-WIC) I think I specifically remember that group ABM classes
were considered inappropriate. I would have refused anyway. I don't provide
that instruction, but others at the clinic sites do, individually.

        Thank you for the opportunity to me share with you a wonderful quote
from a new dad, via a new mom at yeesterday's group.

        Dad said to mom-of-three-week-old-exclusively-bf-baby (who has a 2
pound gain over birth weight)..."It must be great to eat all that food and
have someone suck the calories right off you!"

        This attitude could lead to a breastfeeding culture.

        I appreciate your concern over bottle-feeding classes. I share your
sentiments.

        Paula Bermingham, IBCLC