wic checks question? breastfeeding or formula?

Question

hi i breastfeed and formula feed my 5 month old infant, i get checks for food for me and formula for my baby.

i was thinking about exclusively formula feeding,

does that mean i don't get anymore food checks for me and do i get more formula checks for my baby?

Answer 1

I'm in CA and I don't know if it's different in other states but here the answer is yes at least it was for me anyways. When I switched from breastfeeding and formula feeding to just formula feeding I only received formula checks. I did also get checks for myself for about six months postpartum.

Answer 2

If you are breastfeeding (and they WILL encourage it), they provide extra food for mom, and a pump if needed. They also have breastfeeding counselors to help with problems. If you formula feed, they provide formula for baby (the brand varies by state, though if your baby has allergies or other special needs, usually any formula baby can tolerate will be covered). You may not get all the formula baby needs -- it IS a 'supplemental' nutrition program, so if baby is hungrier than average, you'll likely need to to buy some. After 6 months, baby also gets some solid foods. EDIT: Dorothy may have been on WIC some time ago. The program is now committed to encouraging breastfeed (in the past, rates were dismally low among recipients), and they do provide breastpumps.

Answer 3

I know that if you're breastfeeding they give you more checks for food since a breastfeeding mom needs to eat more.
You would have to ask your WIC counselor for a definite answer.

I have heard WIC moms say that at some point they have to purchase some formula. WIC helps, but you still have to put out some $ sometime to feed your child.

If it was me, I'd keep doing what you are already doing if I could. Breastmilk is free and very healthy for both mom and baby. Also, sign up for the formula company's mailing list to get coupons and free samples.

Best wishes! :)

Answer 4

You should still receive benefits for yourself for a while and you will get more formula for the baby. I know that in Tx you get 8 to 10 cans of powered formula a month. And of course you can get benefits for any child under the age of five.

Answer 5

You will receive checks for you until 6mo post partum. Baby will get formula checks until a year old. And don't pay attention to the one's that won't answer your question and only pass judgement. Good luck to ya!

Answer 6

You get food check for you up to six months after the birth of your bbay if you are formula feeding and a year if you are breast feeding.

Answer 7

The WIC program is excellent.You should get checks for yourself (even if you plan to stop breastfeeding) until your baby is 6 months old.

Answer 8

if you stop breastfeeding the checks will only be for formula and baby cereal when there ready until the baby is 1. then you will get milk,juice,cereal,peanut butter, eggs, and cheese. the food they are giving you now is for you so that you stay healthy while breastfeeding. if you need help with food for you try applying for foodstamps.

Answer 9

You will automatically stop getting checks for you when you reach 6 months post partum. You will still get formula checks for your baby until he is about 1year old.

Answer 10

Hello there,
The more important question here is why on earth would you stop breastfeeding your five month old baby? There are tremendous health benefits to breastfeeding your baby, both for you and for your baby. Why would you want to stop breastfeeding your baby now? If you breastfeed until one year you will be protecting your baby from most common childhood illnesses and giving him the very best start in life. Formula does not even come close to being as good for your baby. Have you ever smelled that stuff? Read the ingredients on the label. Is that what you want to feed your baby? Do you know that a totally breastfed baby's bowel movements do NOT have any unpleasant odor? Also if a breastfed baby spits up, there is no odor. These things are because the breastmilk is so perfectly digested by the baby's body. On the contrary, formula fed babies are just the opposite. Formula is much more difficult for the baby's immature digestive system to deal with. Why do you want to deprive your baby of your breastmilk? Why do you want to take away the emotional bond that your baby has made with you? He will not understand why his warm sweet milk and the feel of your skin next to him has been replaced with a hard rubber nipple and a cold plastic bottle.
Have you thought about all the mess that you will have to deal with if you totally bottle feed your baby? Mixing and measuring and cleaning and warming? With breastfeeding all you have to do is pick up your baby! I know that you already know these things so it makes it really hard to understand why you would make such an awful choice. You have the ability to give your baby the very best food that he will ever again have in his life and your are choosing to take it away from him! Why? Breastfeeding is so easy and so important to your baby. You can give your baby this incredible gift, you alone can make this huge difference in his life. Don't deprive him of this chance to be healthier and smarter. You alone can give him these things. It is up to you, don't make such an awful choice. Please give some serious thought to what you are doing. Your baby needs you to make the right decision and not to settle for giving him such a poor substitute for your breastmilk. Give your baby the best, continue to breastfeed him. He does NOT need formula, he needs YOU!
Blessings
Lady Trinity~