WIC -i dont really understand how they are supporting breastfeeding?

Question

when they are handing out coupons for free formula... not to knock the program or any mother...... but when my child was young i breast fed and was on WIC when i would go to my appts and pick-ups i would see all moms formula feeding ? I would always think if they couldnt get formula for free maybe they would nurse ? any comments ?

whoa i didnt expect all the formula moms to get all upset...
WIC must be different every where !
for a response...at the wic i went if you nursed or not you still got the food also Bethany- i have never in my life used a breast pump (so i dont know where you get that).... i completely understand moms working and cant b.f. but never did understand the ones that choose not to or that say that dont have enough milk ? but hey everyone has there own choice.... i just think wic makes it easier to formula feed thats all.

everyone is saying how if they are poor the child will suffer without formula, etc. i thought that was the purpose of food stamps ? i just didnt like how WIC always acted like they where promoting and for brest feeding with posters and flyers and in no way did i ever see any of this stuff actually being done where i was....

Renee- lol, how would the goverment "force" women to breast feed ??

Answer 1

She is NOT judging the moms. She is judging the WIC program that is obviously not trying to help and encourage the moms to breastfeed. WIC offices generally have signs up promoting breastfeeding, but if there's no encouragement for the moms and free formula, why would they even try to breastfeed?

It seems to me that it's according to who the WIC coordinator or worker is. Some of them are advocates of breastfeeding and will encourage the moms. Others just want to give you your vouchers and get you out and the next person in. It's really sad. I was on WIC with 2 of mine while I was breastfeeding. One time I had a great worker, she encouraged breastfeeding. The other one seemed to WANT to give me free formula. Each time I went in, I felt like she was trying to switch me over. It remind me of the old parable about giving fish for a day instead of teaching them to fish.

ADDED: DID they give you a breastpump? They didn't even lend me one when I was working. I'm upset now.

Answer 2

I have had problems breastfeeding and am extremely upset by this. You should try to be more understanding. Not everyone can breastfeed, not just due to physical reasons but also to their busy schedules. Many, like myself, work long hours to support their child.

I do agree that sometimes WIC does make formula acess too easy and that discourages the mothers from breastfeeding. They should discuss with women everywhere the benefits of breastfeeding. I'm sure not many women are aware of that. However, the women who do apply are usually financially lacking and therefore must work daily. WIC only loans out a LIMITED amount of pumps. I have a college degree, a stable career, and great health insurance but that also means my checks are smaller due to taxes and insurance. If I'm struggling, imagine what it's like for others who don't have what I have. How would they buy or rent a pump? Thus, free formula seems to be their only option.

I won't deny that some do take advantage of the system, but it's NOT everybody.

Answer 3

They do support breastfeeding! When you go there they always tell you that breastfeeding is best. However, if a mom still does not want to breast feed after WIC gives them the info about it, then WIC cannot force them to. So, because they are a program to help women, infants, and children, they give the vouchers for the formula so the baby has enough to eat. Plus, not everyone wants to breastfeed and who are you to judge them for that? Formulas that are out now have tons of nutrients in them and are good for the baby. Of course, its not as many nutrients as breastmilk, but its still not bad. I think every mother has the right whether or not to breastfeed their child.

Answer 4

I work closely with the WIC program, I actually work for Extension.

I agree, I don't think they push breast feeding enough, however, breast feeding is a choice. Choosing not to breast feed is very selfish, in my opinion, but who knows I am just the educator. (remember we all have our opinion, that is what this is about.)

If WIC did not give formula to low income mothers, then we would have alot more babies drinking cows milk to early, to many babies eating cereal and solids before they are 6 months old and ALOT of doctor and hospital bills from patients who are probably on medicaid.

NOT ALL SITUATIONS ARE LIKE THIS, but some are.........

I think there needs to be more education. I am actually going back to school to be a peer to peer lactation consultant, so I am totally with you on this!

A few years ago, on daytime tv, I saw an ad......... Babies were born to be breast fed. I work now through the day, but wonder if they still play the ad??

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ADDED ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have to add, several of you are right, it is difficult to breast feed and work, and some, about 5% of women physcially can't breast feed. Others think they can not, because they need to be relaxed for their milk to come in, to actually feed the baby, and some can't, for their own reasons, do this.

If you have to go back to work (or school), Why not give your baby the best start, by breastfeeding for the first 6 weeks or so? I know alot of women who can't pump at work, for whatever reason, and formula feed their babies while at day care and breast feed their babies while they are at home.

You may find this link below interesting

Answer 5

You have a good point, but don't forget that many mothers who need WIC also need to work. This is difficult to do while nursing an infant. The government has many programs that support working mothers (ie, childcare assistance), and with many of them on state aid, they support mothers earning a living, and understand many mothers have to formula feed. They provide food stamps for milk, cheese, etc. for breastfeeding mothers as well. They support both choices, which is fair.

Answer 6

I love WIC! I breastfeed, but my daughter is a premie and has to be on a special formula that you get at the pharmacy and Wic pays for that. Otherwise I would go broke paying for that expensive formula. They do support breastfeeding but they also support feeding a baby no matter what.

Answer 7

with my first so I was unable to breastfeed, and I will try again when this one is born but if it doesn't work than I will have to formula feed. You have to remember that not every woman can breastfeed. Also it is each individuals choice not your choice to tell them what to do. Maybe formula feeding works better for them. My mother in law breastfeed until my husband was 2 mo then stoped because he started getting teeth. Different cercumstances for everyone you never know what might be going on. Maybe they are on prescriptions that can be passed through the breast milk.

Answer 8

They helped me with breast feeding by providing me a pump to use. I was still in school and had a month to finish out the year. This really helped for a while. I breast fed for 8 weeks...but at around then i had to start putting some formula in because i wasn't producing enough milk to fill my big boy up. Then eventually my supply just ran out. It was nice once it did that they would help me formula feed also, because i really couldn't help what happened in my case.

Answer 9

They do support breastfeeding if the mother chooses to breastfeed, however, they leave the choice up to her and support her in her decision. They provide the proper dietary needs for nursing mothers and also provide free breast pumps to nursing mothers.

If the mother chooses to formula feed, they still support her also.

Edit~reading all the other responses, I guess I got lucky in that I had a very supportive counselor and I actually got a very expensive electric breast pump for free that I never had to return. I'd say that's encouraging breastfeeding!

Answer 10

Not everyone is able to breastfeeed, and not all babies will breastfeed.
WIC is there to educate and support those mothers who are breastfeeding so they do promote it. But they are also there for the mothers who cannot BF and offer to help them with formula since its so expensive.
I know many women who do no qualify for WIC because they make something like $25 over the income limit, cannot breastfeed and go hungry themselves in order to provide formula for their child.
We don't always know everyone's circumstances and I find it appauling anyone would judge people's choice and method of feeding their child. All that matters is that child is getting fed, not how. Its discusting to think of how many children die of starvation in this world but we have to argue and try to belittle women for how they feed their children.