Hold On… Wic Gives Out Formula For Free, But Charges To Rent Breast Pumps?
Friday, November 6th, 2009 at
10:58 pm
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I got my breast pump for free thru WIC. It was a medela model, and was given to me when I asked for it. They told me it was mine, not a loaner. But I know you could rent an electric one, all they asked was that it be returned when you were done.
I would double check with your WIC office. Someone gave you the wrong info!
It may depend on what state a person is in. That is interesting though, I don’t know anyone in real life that is breastfeeding besides me, I don’t get WIC so I don’t really know I just thought that would be pretty messed up.
from what ive heard in New Jersey they dont charge for a pump they let you use it for free…in fact they even have high grade medala pumps there….i woulda got that if i didnt already buy one! im not sure if it varies from state to state but like i said in NJ they dont charge you….but a hospital does.
At my WIC office they didn’t offer me any help breastfeeding when I needed it and when I asked about the pumps they said they didn’t have any.
WIC gives out free food (cereal, juice, eggs, milk, and peanut butter) for pregnant moms, breastfeeding moms, and small children under age 5. They also give free formula. They give free infant cereal and juice after baby turns 6 months old as well as continuing to give the breastfeeding mom the coupons for milk, juice, eggs, cereal, peanut butter, tuna, and carrots. In the summertime in some areas they give out farmer’s market coupons as well. They usually (at least in my hometown) have outstanding breastfeeding peer support and resources for nursing mothers. All nursing mothers are welcome at their support meetings, classes, and are welcome to call the peer counselors, even if they do not qualify for WIC services. I do know that in my hometown, the WIC office does give away breastpumps to the recipients of their services. I do believe that if you don’t qualify for services, they will sell you a pump or rent one. Over all, it’s really a great program, and they do strongly encourage breastfeeding.
EDIT: I guess I was blessed to have lived in a community that is very supportive of breastfeeding when my kids were babies. Our WIC office here is a really great resource for nursing Moms, I’m sorry to see that it’s not that way in other places.
I was never charged. As a matter of fact, I still have the breast pump, and they never called me to get it back. I would contact a different wic office.
I’ve seen someone say that they give out vouchers for cereal at 4 months too! It makes no sense! Why wouldn’t they follow recommended guidelines for solids introduction?!
At the very least, you’d think they’d encourage breastfeeding from a cost saving perspective… Oh wait… it is the US Government after all…
I was never charged for mine. The gave me a Medela Lactina(medical grade), along with new tubing and storage containers. All that gets returned to them is that actual pump.
I got my pump from the Health Department. I wasn’t charged for the breast pump but I did have to “rent” it. That just means that every two weeks I had to re-check it out by calling and letting them know I still needed it, almost like extending a library book. I guess they did this to keep up with their equipment.
The WIC office in my area will give you a free single, manual pump but you have to pay a $20 down payment to rent one that is a medela electric for as long as you need. Once you return the pump your $20 is refunded, so technically you never pay for it.
what not mine i went to the wic department and they give free breastpumps there they are manual but they work they shouldnt charge breastpumps so if you need one just ask and they should just give you one well i live in tn and they do that here idk about where you live but they shouldnt be charging
I rented a breast pump and they never charged me, i think u need to speak to someone else maybe that one person is just trying to get your money.
I certainly hope this information is incorrect. If not, I wouldn’t be surprised though. I’ve never had any dealings with WIC, so I’m not sure on this one.
If you read at the bottom, it says that only since 1998 have they been approved to use state food funds for the purchase or rental of breast pumps. According to the WIC main page, it tries to make them sound like they are promoting breastfeeding, but they’ve only been authorized to rent out pumps for the last 9 years? Since WIC is an income based service, wouldn’t seem obvious that some recipients of WIC wouldn’t be able to purchase a pump?http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/Breastfeedin…
Actually, i found that my local WIC office was very supportive of breastfeeding, even to the point of harassment when i threatened to quit in the first month of breastfeeding. As for as the pumps go, i was given a Medela double electric pump for free. All i had to do was sign a form, stating that it was now mine, so if it breaks, its not their responsibility.
It’s all a matter of what the money is earmarked for. Food (formula) is very different then equipment.
Here’s an idea… self-reliance. That’s free.
I believe the State reimburses them for staples (food) only so they don’t get funding for the pumps and stuff like that.
Vicki
sassybabybling.com
in Texas (at least a few of the Dallas area WIC offices) they loan out hospital grade pumps for a few, give out manuals to almost all, and give the Ameda Purely Yours to most working moms who request it. BUT, from what I have heard from a few friends on it and trying to breastfeed, many of the people who work these local offices can be a little … let’s say less than supportive with breastfeeding.
I babysit for a working mom, she started back to work at 8 months… took 2 months of waiting, filling out forms, practically begging for an electric pump!! She had borrowed a Purely Yours from a friend, so she wasn’t pump-less… but still! AND everytime she’d go in for an appointment they’d ask her about formula… did no one notice in her file that she’d turned it down a thousand times, as she did w/ her first child too!!! In theory WIC is very pro breastfeeding… but I think it depends on the people who work there to make that idea come true.
I’m pretty sure that in states that provide breast pumps through the WIC program they are free but they are “rentals” in that you have to return them. I guess they are then loaners?
In any case I find it truly amazing that WIC is allegedly supposed to support breastfeeding (as one of its main goals) and yet not all provide pumps and not even half of the women on WIC breastfeed.
PS Providing manual pumps for women who are being forced to work through “work-fare” is BS. You can’t keep up breast milk supply with a manual pump. Now it the woman isn’t working, sure you don’t need to give them a hospital grade or even high-end electric pump. A manual or electric for less than $30 retail would be just fine.
I don’t know, but this is what is on their site:
* WIC mothers choosing to breastfeed are provided information through counseling and breastfeeding educational materials.
* Breastfeeding mothers receive follow-up support through peer counselors.
* Breastfeeding mothers are eligible to participate in WIC longer than non-breastfeeding mothers.
* Mothers who exclusively breastfeed their infants receive an enhanced food package.
* Breastfeeding mothers can receive breast pumps, breast shells or nursing supplementers to help support the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding.
I suspect the actual level of breastfeeding support and encouragement varies from office to office…
I didn’t know they charge for pumps but I do know that they pay VERY little for formula (compared to the prices at the grocery store). The companies put in bids every year or five years or something and the lowest bid wins.
My hospital gives hand pumps for free when you give birth
They told me I would have to rent it and it was not free to do so.
i asked a question re: WIC once before… to me it just seems they make it easy for low income to have and formula feed babies, dont get me wrong i used there services but i b.f. and got very little support… never used a pump.