Comments on: Hold On… Wic Gives Out Formula For Free, But Charges To Rent Breast Pumps?

By: carlyjj9

carlyjj9 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:28:21 +0000

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.

By: Elizabeth K

Elizabeth K — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:58:33 +0000

They told me I would have to rent it and it was not free to do so.

By: Mandy

Mandy — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:44:19 +0000

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

By: daa

daa — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:29:53 +0000

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…

By: mystic_e

mystic_e — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:28:11 +0000

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.

By: Tanya

Tanya — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:33:09 +0000

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.

By: RealtorV

RealtorV — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:46:01 +0000

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

By: snoopy

snoopy — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:25:51 +0000

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.

By: Jenet B

Jenet B — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:00:55 +0000

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.

By: Hokie

Hokie — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:17:07 +0000

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…