Barbara,

You have painted a horrible picture of WIC in your message.  I am sorry that 
your daughter had such a bad experience, but please be assured not all WIC 
clinics are like that.

Our office is very supportive of breastfeeding, we have numerous electric 
pumps available (50+), 4 CLC's and 1 IBCLC on staff.  We encourage every 
mother to breastfeed, even those who breastfeed past a year, and even use 
wording like "Good for you!!" when they report breastfeeding a toddler.  We 
also give our staff paid time to pump and a nice room to pump in.  We support 
every level of breastfeeding.

Maybe this staff member was young and uneducated?  I have worked for WIC 
for 10 years, and can honestly say I have grown immensely in those years.  
When I first started working for WIC, I was horribly uncomfortable when a 
mother breastfed in front of me, and had no good breastfeeding education.  
Thus, no confidence to properly support a mother who was breastfeeding.  
WIC has a high rate of staff turnover, and is often used as a "stepping stone" 
to bigger and better professional jobs.

I am not making excuses for this WIC staff person, simply saying that each 
and every WIC clinic is different and that I hope all on the list don't think 
poorly of WIC for one person's bad experience.  Afterall, it's through the 
support of WIC and my great Director that I was able to attend CLC training 
and eventually pass the IBCLC exam.

Jamie Huddleston, IBCLC
Sanford, Maine WIC Office

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