Breastfeeding Moms- have you used WIC?

i am on wic & breastfeeding & the last time i spoke with the nutricionist she was very helpful and trying to clear any doubt i might have about breastfeeding, actually every time i mention i am exclusively breastfeeding they have nothing but good comments & smiles for me. I think they really support breastfeeding, no one has ever suggested i supplement.. I love the girls there they've always been so nice to me

I was on WIC in the state of Indiana and I had a very pleasant experience as a new breastfeeding mom. I was given a great breast pump and great advice from the lactation consultants. They seemed to really care about me and my son..it was great! I never had to wait for a long time whenever I went into office to pick up my WIC coupons.

The assistance and reading materials that they gave me helped a tremendous amount as a new mom....

On the contrary, I moved back to Chicago when my son was about 6 months old and the they were just as you mentioned "rude and thoughtless" they gave me such a hard time getting my WIC switched over that I never even made it to the part where I was able to continue to receive my coupons and lactation consulting. They made me cry, that's how rude they were. Needless to say, my WIC ended there but, because I was breastfeeding it wasn't a huge deal.

With that said, I think it just depends on the area that you live in..... :-)

Now that I think of it, it does seem that you're onto something. I know several moms who use WIC and they all bottlefed. Of course one of them had an adopted child so it was the easiest (yet not always only) way. Apparently you have to ask about/for breastfeeding help rather than have it offered in the first place... Oh well, at least they're helping people I say. They may have very well just never changed their practices and policies from when WIC was started up and bottlefeeding was the norm. You know how government agencies are! lol

Times have changed. My WIC office was very supportive though I didn't see them with my first until I decided to stop breastfeeding and was still with them when I had the twins. They bent over backwards in helping me stick with breastfeeding the twins as long as I could. They called often just to check up on me and answered all my questions and because of the girl's slow weight gain they let me use their scale every week and their phone to call her doctor to inform her of Catherine's progress. Plus when I did have to put them on formula they paid for most of it(I don't know how people can do without WIC). WIC is a life saver.

I was on WIC with both of my children, I'm sorry that the WIC office you encountered wasn't supportive, mine was very much so. In fact I got a small gift basket ( with a few chocolates and a candle) after I completed a year of breastfeeding my first child.

Maybe it was the office that you dealt with then, I hope you are able to find the support that you need.

Best of luck!

I used WIC while breastfeeding because you can still get stuff like cheese, eggs, etc, for you. They gave me a breast pump too and showed me how to use it, (although this didn't work for me) and when I was ready to wean my son, it was no trouble switching to the formula.

P.S. I use to work in a Dr.'s office that shared the building with WIC, and please believe me when I say they aren't in it for the money. They don't pay well at all because it is funded by state grants.

It all depends on your area whether or not the people are helpful or not. The area I lived in frowned down on us, and I hate to say it but it was mostly black and they acted like they owned the damn stamps and stuff. It was ridiculous. I had mine transferred to a new area where the people were white and they are absolutely great with offering help and they are more than willing to answer questions and give suggestions. I had to stop breastfeeding because I worked in a hospital and it was very hard to actually take the time out to pump. I didn't get any static from the clinic and they were very understanding and didn't push judgments because I chose to stop.

I have never had the occasion to have to use WIC. I can tell you, however, that it all depends on who is working in the office. You can get some grouchy old crab that is there for the almighty dollar, or you can get lucky and happen upon someone that really cares about the people she is paid to help. You got lucky this time.

I think WIC is awesome. Since I'm BFing I get to stay on the program for a year and I get extra food (carrots and tuna) also I get more milk and cheese.

I got together with the LC at the WIC office and she was wonderful, they gave me a 250.00 double elec. pump for free. I call her all the time with questions and she is very knowledgeable about lots of things concerning BFing

good job momma ;) keep it up!

i was on WIC too when Casidee was born but i havent returned in months they're a**holes look down upon us like theyre superior....only reason i went is because we arent married yet and i thought i needed it....def not bought my own pump and stuff....my WIC was very pushy about breastfeeding quit the opposite