WIC going to stop providing formula

curlilocks1207 · September 2009

I was just talking to the coordinator of the breast feeding center here at the hospital where I work. She was telling me that in April 2010 the state of Indiana is going to "take a very strong pro-breastfeeding stance". Amonth other things they are requiring hospitals to "push" all new mothers to breast feed and WIC is no longer going to be providing formula for babies. They will provide juice, cheese, etc for nursing mothers, but no more formula. I do plan on bfing, but I think they are taking their "encouragement" too far. Thoughts?

Soap1 · September 2009

Wow that's awful. Definitely pushing it too far.

JulieandBen · September 2009

I don't think it's about bfing. It's about the bottom dollar and cutbacks. Formula is extremely expensive.

ladyalmalthea · September 2009

I agree. There may be a medical reason why it doesn't work out to breasfeed.

Klafountain · September 2009

can they do that?? what if your milk doesn't come in and you can't afford formula then what... Hmm

ellemoney:) · September 2009

Yea, I don't agree at all. What about moms who can't bf??

getnmarried910 · September 2009

I think that sounds more like trying to force a mom to BF. I'm all for BFing and I did it with my kids and will with this one, but I think that's taking it a bit far.

purple_posies · September 2009

Ooo, that presents a whole lot of socio-economic issues, I think. If women are eligible for WIC, they may be under-employed or unemployed. How can they breastfeed if they try to get a job, etc.? Chances are if they cannot afford formula they can't afford a breast pump.

Also, what if they can't, due to health issues or just whatever? Are they going to provide assistance for them to see lactation consultants, etc.?

I dunno how I feel about that ... it's a personal choice, regardless of socio-economic status and medical issues anyway. I think it interferes with that mother's choice.

getnmarried910 · September 2009

JulieandBen:
I don't think it's about bfing. It's about the bottom dollar and cutbacks. Formula is extremely expensive.

If this is the case they should say this, not that it's because they are taking a pro-breastfeeding stance.

cateye · September 2009

Totally lurking. . .sorry. . .but I have a huge problem with this!!!

Are they providing those women with a pump so they can still pump at work?? And are they ensuring that all their employers are going to allow them to pump while at work??? Sorry. My sister had these issues when on WIC with her daughter.

:slinks back the 2nd tri:

kle+spd · September 2009

It's all about money!!! Not BF really!

They are just going to encourage their moms to BF bc they won't be providing formula!

jldittber · September 2009

Sorry, I agree with this. Why should tax payers pay for something our body produces for the baby.

You don't "need" a pump. My cousin, who is not well off to afford the pumps many of us have purchased, used her hands when she went back to work for one of her kids and got a cheap hand held one for her second.

sawyer2 · September 2009

jldittber:

Sorry, I agree with this. Why should tax payers pay for something our body produces for the baby.

You don't "need" a pump. My cousin, who is not well off to afford the pumps many of us have purchased, used her hands when she went back to work for one of her kids and got a cheap hand held one for her second.

Have you ever head of a women not getting milk, that was me with ds1. My milk never came in, I went to lact. consultents and tried mediciens but nothing. Also what if the mother needs to go on meds that prevents her from breastfeeding. I think you need to go back and review someone before you make generalized statements like this.

nealbl · September 2009

Is WIC going to provide breastpumps then? Becuase not everyone can afford the really good ones that you need to go back to work and continue to breastfeed.

wordtoyourmother · September 2009

purple_posies:
Ooo, that presents a whole lot of socio-economic issues, I think. If women are eligible for WIC, they may be under-employed or unemployed. How can they breastfeed if they try to get a job, etc.? Chances are if they cannot afford formula they can't afford a breast pump.
Also, what if they can't, due to health issues or just whatever? Are they going to provide assistance for them to see lactation consultants, etc.?
I dunno how I feel about that ... it's a personal choice, regardless of socio-economic status and medical issues anyway. I think it interferes with that mother's choice.

Very well stated.

JLG95 · September 2009

Flame me:

I think the states should strongly encourage BFing. Your tax dollars pay for that formula.

My niece's mother (not married to my brother) is on WIC. She didn't BF, refuses to work and is a crappy mom. She leaches off her middle-aged mother and is letting a TV raise my niece (she's 4 and barely taIks). I wish the state had done more to try and make her be a better mom, starting with even trying to make her BF.

KandM05 · September 2009

sawyer2:
jldittber:

Sorry, I agree with this. Why should tax payers pay for something our body produces for the baby.

You don't "need" a pump. My cousin, who is not well off to afford the pumps many of us have purchased, used her hands when she went back to work for one of her kids and got a cheap hand held one for her second.

Have you ever head of a women not getting milk, that was me with ds1. My milk never came in, I went to lact. consultents and tried mediciens but nothing. Also what if the mother needs to go on meds that prevents her from breastfeeding. I think you need to go back and review someone before you make generalized statements like this.

then YOUR responsible for providing your baby with formula.

smilelari · September 2009

purple_posies:
Ooo, that presents a whole lot of socio-economic issues, I think. If women are eligible for WIC, they may be under-employed or unemployed. How can they breastfeed if they try to get a job, etc.? Chances are if they cannot afford formula they can't afford a breast pump.
Also, what if they can't, due to health issues or just whatever? Are they going to provide assistance for them to see lactation consultants, etc.?
I dunno how I feel about that ... it's a personal choice, regardless of socio-economic status and medical issues anyway. I think it interferes with that mother's choice.

In our BFing class they showed us the WIC provided pumps, so at least in some states WIC provides pumps

heather_09_15_07 · September 2009

A lot of people CAN'T breastfeed because their milk doesn't come in. or they can't produce enough. Sure, you can say bf is natural but that doesn't mean everyone is able to do it. Idiots.

sawyer2 · September 2009

KandM05:
sawyer2:
jldittber:

Sorry, I agree with this. Why should tax payers pay for something our body produces for the baby.

You don't "need" a pump. My cousin, who is not well off to afford the pumps many of us have purchased, used her hands when she went back to work for one of her kids and got a cheap hand held one for her second.

Have you ever head of a women not getting milk, that was me with ds1. My milk never came in, I went to lact. consultents and tried mediciens but nothing. Also what if the mother needs to go on meds that prevents her from breastfeeding. I think you need to go back and review someone before you make generalized statements like this.

then YOUR responsible for providing your baby with formula.

In many cases a mother can not provide formula, for example I had a friend whos infant had to have a special kind, that formula for one can was $60 a piece that lasted 2-3 days. Can you shell out $60 every 2-3 days

sawyer2 · September 2009

smilelari:
purple_posies:

Ooo, that presents a whole lot of socio-economic issues, I think. If women are eligible for WIC, they may be under-employed or unemployed. How can they breastfeed if they try to get a job, etc.? Chances are if they cannot afford formula they can't afford a breast pump.

Also, what if they can't, due to health issues or just whatever? Are they going to provide assistance for them to see lactation consultants, etc.?

I dunno how I feel about that ... it's a personal choice, regardless of socio-economic status and medical issues anyway. I think it interferes with that mother's choice.

In our BFing class they showed us the WIC provided pumps, so at least in some states WIC provides pumps

some do, but its hard for them to get them in to loan out

KandM05 · September 2009

sawyer2:
KandM05:
sawyer2:
jldittber:

Sorry, I agree with this. Why should tax payers pay for something our body produces for the baby.

You don't "need" a pump. My cousin, who is not well off to afford the pumps many of us have purchased, used her hands when she went back to work for one of her kids and got a cheap hand held one for her second.

Have you ever head of a women not getting milk, that was me with ds1. My milk never came in, I went to lact. consultents and tried mediciens but nothing. Also what if the mother needs to go on meds that prevents her from breastfeeding. I think you need to go back and review someone before you make generalized statements like this.

then YOUR responsible for providing your baby with formula.

In many cases a mother can not provide formula, for example I had a friend whos infant had to have a special kind, that formula for one can was $60 a piece that lasted 2-3 days. Can you shell out $60 every 2-3 days

Yes, if i had to. I understand that would be upsetting and difficult, but its still MY responsibility........no one elses.

ellemoney:) · September 2009

KandM05:
sawyer2:
?

Have you ever head of a women not getting milk, that was me with ds1. My milk never came in, I went to lact. consultents and tried mediciens but nothing. Also what if the mother needs to go on meds that prevents her from breastfeeding.? I think you need to go back and review someone before you make generalized statements like this.?
then YOUR responsible for providing your baby with formula.

ITA with Sawyer.

?

YOU'RE being very rude. ?Guess what? You're going to be paying for tons of crap for other people. ?Yes, people take advantage of the system. It happens. It's always going to happen. However, it's crap that a woman who might need some assistance b/c she decided to have her baby instead of aborting it when the "dad" bailed on her doesn't have milk come in. So, she's trying as hard as she can, but she can't get WIC to pay for formula??

You know what that's going to lead to?? Women giving their baby cow's milk too early b/c WIC will pay for that.

?

nadiarl · September 2009

Breastfeeding is one of the easiest ways to reduce the risk of infant mortality from 1 month to 1 year of age.

babystella08 · September 2009

That is horrible. It is the mother's choice. That is BS.

beckster519 · September 2009

JLG95:Flame me:I think the states should strongly encourage BFing. Your tax dollars pay for that formula.
My niece's mother (not married to my brother) is on WIC. She didn't BF, refuses to work and is a crappy mom. She leaches off her middle-aged mother and is letting a TV raise my niece (she's 4 and barely taIks). I wish the state had done more to try and make her be a better mom, starting with even trying to make her BF.

No offense, but if she doesnt care enough to interact with her daughter, and work to provider for her, I dont see why she would be giving enough to breast feed...even if she was "forced" to BF. There are many woman out in the world that would rather go out and drink and do other crap...if they are forced to BF, being the only option to feed their children, many will not give up that crap, and then the child will suffer.

I understand people being upset about having to pay tax dollars to provide this, but its not the childs fault.

SusieQ1982 · September 2009

I wonder if this is to prevent fraud, like women selling the formula. I have heard of that happening and I think it would probably be very difficult to prevent.

Honestly, it does seem to be not very breastfeeding friendly just to pay for formula. I bet the percentage of women who get formula for free is much higher than the average percentage of women in their area who choose to formula feed.

I can see the dilemma with women who can't breastfeed for various reasons though. Perhaps a doctor's note that verifies inability to breastfeed?

FLVintageBride · September 2009

KandM05:
sawyer2:
jldittber:

Sorry, I agree with this. Why should tax payers pay for something our body produces for the baby.

You don't "need" a pump. My cousin, who is not well off to afford the pumps many of us have purchased, used her hands when she went back to work for one of her kids and got a cheap hand held one for her second.

Have you ever head of a women not getting milk, that was me with ds1. My milk never came in, I went to lact. consultents and tried mediciens but nothing. Also what if the mother needs to go on meds that prevents her from breastfeeding. I think you need to go back and review someone before you make generalized statements like this.

then YOUR responsible for providing your baby with formula.

First of all, it's "you're" not "your". Second, the purpose of WIC is so that pregnant women and children don't go hungry. Children of single moms are the largest impoverished group in the U.S. So is your attitude that we should just say "F-em"?

KandM05 · September 2009

ellemoney:):
KandM05:
sawyer2:

Have you ever head of a women not getting milk, that was me with ds1. My milk never came in, I went to lact. consultents and tried mediciens but nothing. Also what if the mother needs to go on meds that prevents her from breastfeeding. I think you need to go back and review someone before you make generalized statements like this.

then YOUR responsible for providing your baby with formula.

ITA with Sawyer.

YOU'RE being very rude. Guess what? You're going to be paying for tons of crap for other people. Yes, people take advantage of the system. It happens. It's always going to happen. However, it's crap that a woman who might need some assistance b/c she decided to have her baby instead of aborting it when the "dad" bailed on her doesn't have milk come in. So, she's trying as hard as she can, but she can't get WIC to pay for formula?

You know what that's going to lead to?? Women giving their baby cow's milk too early b/c WIC will pay for that.

sure, there is always some dramatic exception. We will just have to agree to disagree.

userdeleted · September 2009

I think this is going to result in some babies being breastfed when they wouldn't have been otherwise, some families dealing with a major financial hardship to feed their babies formula, and a some babies being fed formula cut with water or just regular milk.

Breastfeeding is very very difficult and I would imagine that a large number of people on WIC are not going to have the support necessary to make it work - especially after they have to return to their jobs. Formula is expensive and if they flat out can't afford it, and WIC won't help, well then I guess babies are going to suffer.

sawyer2 · September 2009

KandM05:
ellemoney:):
KandM05:
sawyer2:

Have you ever head of a women not getting milk, that was me with ds1. My milk never came in, I went to lact. consultents and tried mediciens but nothing. Also what if the mother needs to go on meds that prevents her from breastfeeding. I think you need to go back and review someone before you make generalized statements like this.

then YOUR responsible for providing your baby with formula.

ITA with Sawyer.

YOU'RE being very rude. Guess what? You're going to be paying for tons of crap for other people. Yes, people take advantage of the system. It happens. It's always going to happen. However, it's crap that a woman who might need some assistance b/c she decided to have her baby instead of aborting it when the "dad" bailed on her doesn't have milk come in. So, she's trying as hard as she can, but she can't get WIC to pay for formula?

You know what that's going to lead to?? Women giving their baby cow's milk too early b/c WIC will pay for that.

sure, there is always some dramatic exception. We will just have to agree to disagree.

thats the point there are always going to be exceptions so why cut it off completely for those exceptions will get lost in the cracks. These are the people who we are going to see dropping their baby off at a hospital, because they can not get the care and help needed to take care of that child.

FLVintageBride · September 2009

nadiarl:
Breastfeeding is one of the easiest ways to reduce the risk of infant mortality from 1 month to 1 year of age.

And how exactly is this little factoid is helpful to women who either: a) can't BF; or b) have to go back to their job at McDonalds 3 days after giving birth and are not given break time to nurse or pump?

The right to pump and the luxury of BFing is an issue that truly shows the differences across socioeconomic categories.

jessloveschase08 · September 2009

I am currently on WIC right now and I'm glad Alabama isn't like that. I plan of BFing but if it doesn't work out then I don't want to have to worry about buying formula...

FLVintageBride · September 2009

KandM05:
ellemoney:):
KandM05:
sawyer2:

Have you ever head of a women not getting milk, that was me with ds1. My milk never came in, I went to lact. consultents and tried mediciens but nothing. Also what if the mother needs to go on meds that prevents her from breastfeeding. I think you need to go back and review someone before you make generalized statements like this.

then YOUR responsible for providing your baby with formula.

ITA with Sawyer.

YOU'RE being very rude. Guess what? You're going to be paying for tons of crap for other people. Yes, people take advantage of the system. It happens. It's always going to happen. However, it's crap that a woman who might need some assistance b/c she decided to have her baby instead of aborting it when the "dad" bailed on her doesn't have milk come in. So, she's trying as hard as she can, but she can't get WIC to pay for formula?

You know what that's going to lead to?? Women giving their baby cow's milk too early b/c WIC will pay for that.

sure, there is always some dramatic exception. We will just have to agree to disagree.

Um, your example of welfare fraud is the "dramatic exception". Sad to say, but men abandoning their responsibilities and leaving the woman to raise a child alone happens thousands of time every single day. That's why single moms make up such a large portion of the working poor in this country.

jessloveschase08 · September 2009

purple_posies:

Ooo, that presents a whole lot of socio-economic issues, I think. If women are eligible for WIC, they may be under-employed or unemployed. How can they breastfeed if they try to get a job, etc.? Chances are if they cannot afford formula they can't afford a breast pump.

Also, what if they can't, due to health issues or just whatever? Are they going to provide assistance for them to see lactation consultants, etc.?

I dunno how I feel about that ... it's a personal choice, regardless of socio-economic status and medical issues anyway. I think it interferes with that mother's choice.

Just a side-note... WIC does provide breast pumps. But that's beside the point. Just want to make that known.

rayandbrit · September 2009

Rach03k:
I think this is going to result in some babies being breastfed when they wouldn't have been otherwise, some families dealing with a major financial hardship to feed their babies formula, and a some babies being fed formula cut with water or just regular milk.
Breastfeeding is very very difficult and I would imagine that a large number of people on WIC are not going to have the support necessary to make it work - especially after they have to return to their jobs. Formula is expensive and if they flat out can't afford it, and WIC won't help, well then I guess babies are going to suffer.

One good thing, I know that WIC provides a really good breastfeeding support system, and counselors. Not saying it justifies taking away formula, but it is great for moms who are breastfeeding on WIC.

TELK83 · September 2009

I am a WIC BFing peer counselor

IDK about other states, but on Louisiana WIC provides BF counseling to all wic moms. They can aslo borrow a hospital grade pump for however long they want. Medicade covers consults w/ LCs. Many wic moms don't try as hard to BF b/c the formula is free or they BF, take the formula and sell it on ebay.

IMO I don't think WIC should provide formula unless a doctor says mom absolutly can not BF for whatever reason. Giving up after a week should not be good enough. Special situations such as HIV+ moms, moms on meds that conflict w/ BFing or someone who's milk isn't sufficient for her baby after exploring every ave. to up supply are different cases. If she can BF and chooses not to then why should she get formula for free?

userdeleted · September 2009

rayandbrit:
Rach03k:
I think this is going to result in some babies being breastfed when they wouldn't have been otherwise, some families dealing with a major financial hardship to feed their babies formula, and a some babies being fed formula cut with water or just regular milk.
Breastfeeding is very very difficult and I would imagine that a large number of people on WIC are not going to have the support necessary to make it work - especially after they have to return to their jobs. Formula is expensive and if they flat out can't afford it, and WIC won't help, well then I guess babies are going to suffer.

One good thing, I know that WIC provides a really good breastfeeding support system, and counselors. Not saying it justifies taking away formula, but it is great for moms who are breastfeeding on WIC.

I wasn't aware of that - that's great!

taciboo25 · September 2009

what qualifies you for WIC? we have one friend who gets it. her DH works full time and they have decided to have her stay home. they sold a car to get down to one, they live on a strict budget, and work hard to make things work. I admire them for their dedication. they seem very deserving of WIC. she does BF, however, and wouldn't need the formula. I'm just wondering if it's just an income thing? I don't know much about it.

FLVintageBride · September 2009

TELK83:

I am a WIC BFing peer counselor

IDK about other states, but on Louisiana WIC provides BF counseling to all wic moms. They can aslo borrow a hospital grade pump for however long they want. Medicade covers consults w/ LCs. Many wic moms don't try as hard to BF b/c the formula is free or they BF, take the formula and sell it on ebay.

IMO I don't think WIC should provide formula unless a doctor says mom absolutly can not BF for whatever reason. Giving up after a week should not be good enough. Special situations such as HIV+ moms, moms on meds that conflict w/ BFing or someone who's milk isn't sufficient for her baby after exploring every ave. to up supply are different cases. If she can BF and chooses not to then why should she get formula for free?

And what about the moms who have jobs that are not conducive to pumping or BFing because they do not provide the breaks or space necessary to do so? Which I'm guessing would apply to quite number people at minimum wage or other low paying types of jobs- the kinds that a mom on WIC is more likely to have. I think it's narrow-minded to assume that a woman that chooses not to attempt BFing on WIC is doing it only b/c she knows formula is free. I'm assuming that most of the women here whose comments appear to imply that they think WIC moms who don't try to BF are just being lazy would also think it was lazy of them to quit their jobs in order to BF their child.

KatieTheMagnificent · September 2009

Something tells me that this won't stick very long. There are too many Mommas out there without the proper resources and support to nurse successfully - in every neighborhood and social class. Taking away the ability to receive formula to the women that utilize WIC is a horrible idea. I love the fact that they're trying to get more women to breastfeed, but I hate the way they're going about this. A lot of WIC offices have competent, wonderful staff that understand the mechanics of nursing and supporting a mother that chooses to nurse her little one ... and some of them don't. Heck, I know one too many lactation consultants that have no idea what they're doing.

And those of you that are talking about what you pay for via taxes - we also pay for a lot of other useless crap that doesn't do anything but line the pockets of politicians. I know quite a few families that receive WIC and they're also paying taxes, just like you, so essentially, they're paying into a program that they're using.

One of my very, very good friends received WIC (and still does). She has a VERY good job, a college education, and has recently divorced her husband. After battling a horrendously difficult pregnancy and a fabulous beginning to breastfeeding, she returned to work. The stress of returning to work, the problems with her husband, and a lovely bout of PPD killed her supply. Should her daughter, who hasn't reached her first birthday, be denied formula at the WIC office because she didn't have support? Had PPD? Divorced? Felt enormous guilt because she couldn't be a SAHM? 'Cause her Momma's paying taxes, too ...

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