Just some comments re WIC's bf support in various states. I read the TExas WIC news and they seem to have a great many successful programs there. I've heard some speakers from Mississippi Wic and they seem to have some great programs too. I agree with the poster who said something like it seems the bf support is there on paper but is it really there in practice? In my experience, in the New Orleans area (Louisiana, s.e. USA) the support is not very good. I'm sure most workers are well-intentioned, and many are very dedicated and try very hard. But it seems the SYSTEM is not working. For example, the bf info mothers get from Wic staff (reported by moms to me, so not always verified) is often incorrect, e.g. starting solids, use of bottles, use of formula, early weaning. Also, the problem I have alot is when I refer a mom to Wic, there is no one who can help her w/ bf. FREQUENTLY I have personally been told by wic staff that the (one and only) bf person is not there today, or no one here knows how to do a pump loan, or the bf person will be out for a week, the bf person is at a meeting, etc. They state that NO ONE else can do the bf thing. FREQUENTLY when I have referred a mom for a double electric pump due to bf problems, sick or premature infant, there is no loaner pump available. There are Ameda Purely Yours and Medela PNS pumps but they are not given out til 1 month postpartum to working moms or moms in school. If the Lactina is out on loan, they will not give the mom the PY or PNS, she must wait a month (of course by then bf is lost). They will instead give her a hand pump. I have discussed these problems many times with the state bf coordinator; to me these 'rules' should be changed. I am told that the wic clinic should attempt to locate another loaner pump (lactina) from another clinic, but in practice, any number of excuses are given why this can't be done. Also, if a mother is eligible for wic services (income requirements) but has not enrolled yet (often the case with a preterm birth) then the mother has to wait about 2 wks to get enrolled and no services are provided til then. Here bf is often lost by then too. Therefore, most moms have to pay out of pocket for a rental pump, even though they should be receiving these bf services. Many moms cannot or do not pay out of pocket and bf is lost. I hope these wic rules change in the near future. Please forgive the rant. Laurie Wheeler, IBCLC, MN, RN New Orleans Louisiana, s.e. USA _________________________________________________________________ STOP MORE SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail *********************************************** 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(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html