The WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor program- why you should care

It’s déjà vu for me today, Leakies.

Last year, right around this time, I wrote an article for this very site about how a representative was proposing that we removing funding from the WIC breastfeeding peer counselor program, The High Life of a WIC BReastfeeding Counselor.  That was struck down, and quickly, but sadly enough, threats to the program loom again.

In case you don’t know what the breastfeeding peer counselor program is, it’s an awesome program at WIC where breastfeeding or former breastfeeding moms are hired and thoroughly trained to provide breastfeeding advice and support.  In fact, our training is so awesome and the program is so respected that the organization that tests people to become registered lactation consultants, IBLCE, allows it as one of the few ways to gather the hands on hours required to take the examination.  The program helps both new moms and moms-to-be with a variety of breastfeeding issues.  We teach classes, we do one-on-one counseling, and we assess moms and babies who are having issues.  We can catch issues early and fix them or refer to someone who can.  We run support groups and work with businesses and hospitals to make the community a more supportive place for women who do choose to breastfeed.  We run warmlines.  Some of us do home or hospital visitations.  Many of us are IBCLCs.  What we do, in a private practice setting, would cost you a LOT of money.  Yet, for the women who qualify for WIC, these services are totally free.

And although we are all breastfeeding advocates, we’re not going to force you to breastfeed or look down on you if you don’t.  We will encourage you and help you, but we will not force our goals or ideals on you, and we will not look down on you if you don’t breastfeed for as long as we would or in the way that we would or even at all.  There’s something pretty amazing, though, about seeing a new mom who really, really wants to breastfeed, so incredibly tired and sore and unhappy and on the verge of giving up light up when she is given the tools needed to make things work for her.  And these tools are sadly unavailable in many other places.  Many doctors aren’t all the breastfeeding savvy.  Hospitals that have lactation consultants often only have them there part time, or they are too overbooked to give moms the time that they need.  La Leche League meetings can be at times that a new mom can’t manage – especially if she’s also working.

Money for breastfeeding support within WIC was already cut once this year.  This is pretty sad, given that the Surgeon General’s call to action to support breastfeeding was issued just a year ago.  We know the numerous benefits of breastfeeding, and we know that while so many moms want to breastfeed, a significant amount simply aren’t meeting their goals.  Mother to mother support is proven to be a huge help.  And when that support is trained and qualified to bust myths and give realistic advice while not being judgmental, that’s even better.

A House subcommittee yesterday passed a bill for funding for WIC that has no money earmarked for peer counselors. That, combined with the lowered budget overall, means that a lot of ladies will be losing their jobs and a lot of moms will be losing what might be the only education and support they have for breastfeeding.  While my office is amazing and everyone is supportive of breastfeeding and decently educated, and while I believe that WIC has taken steps to ensure that is the norm, there are many agencies that only maintain a counselor because that money is earmarked.  The peer counselor in those offices may be the only person there well versed in breastfeeding and holding the solutions to common issues.  If we take her away, there will be a lot of moms that switch to formula – not because they want to, but because they feel like they have no choice in the matter.

So why should you care?

Well, if you believe that women should be supported in their breastfeeding endeavors, you want breastfeeding peer counselors to keep their funding.  If you are someone who doesn’t care about breastfeeding but wants government spending to decrease, then you want breastfeeding peer counselors to keep their jobs.  You see, we help women to be healthier and have healthier babies, which translates into less money spent on state insurance and less spent on purchasing formula.  If you’re a business owner or manager, you want us to keep our funding, because by helping moms to keep breastfeeding and continuing to confer that specifically tailored immune protection, your employees’ babies are at their optimal health, and your employees will be at work more often, increasing productivity.

I urge you to sign this petition and consider letting your elected officials know that cutting funding to this program is ridiculous and short-sighted.  It may save some money short term, but it will have significant consequences long term.

 

 

 Star Rodriguiz, IBCLC, is a breastfeeding peer counselor for a WIC in the Midwest and has just started her private practice as an IBCLC (her Facebook page is here, go “like” for great support).  She also sits on the  breastfeeding task force in her town, is helping her  community’s Early Head Start redefine  their breastfeeding support, and is the  driving force behind a local breastfeeding campaign.  In  the remainder of her free  time, she chases around her nursling and preschooler.

 

Comments

  1. I have no idea if our local WIC office (Dupage Co, IL) has WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselors but something tells me we do not. They called me twice (TWICE!) six months apart and offered formula for my daughter. Nope, didn’t even ask me if I was breastfeeding – just an offer to sign up for WIC to “get free formula.” Just to prove I’m not a fluke, the same exact thing happened to one of my breastfeeding doula friends who lives a few towns over. She was shocked because the WIC in her old state was the exact opposite. So, I dunno what’s going on with these programs, but the ones in IL need help. Badly.

    • That’s insane. The Texas WIC has an amazing breastfeeding program and a huge public awareness campaign that includes billboards, commercials, magazine ads, etc. all aimed at promoting breastfeeding. I wonder if WIC clients could pressure offices in a certain area to start the peer counselor program, it sounds like IL really could use it. ~Jessica

      • Coincidentally, that’s where my doula friend was from – TX. She was FLOORED by how different the WIC offices are here.

        • You can absolutely lobby your office to begin a bfpc program. Until all of this, yearly, offices could fill out paperwork for funding and request to get money designated specifically for that. Then, the peer counselor is required to go through a pretty extensive training and usually goes through a lot of continuing education as well.

          You can also go to any WIC office in your state, and an agency’s caseload ties to their funding, so switching to an office that is more pro-breastfeeding can send a strong message.

    • n=2=not fluke.

      Totally.

    • Hi Marie,

      Would you mind taking this elsewhere? Gina was posting on topic even if it was to point out the inconsitencies of the WIC program across the country. Your comments to her are clearly personal in nature and distracting from the conversation. Your thoughts on the article are welcome but personal attacks on those contributing relevant comments are unnecessary and I would appreciate such interactions to cease. Thank you.

      ~ Jessica

      • TheFeministBreeder says

        For that comment to be “personal” it would require that “person” to have some faint of a connection to me. Instead, it’s just a stalker who watches every single Facebook post I write and desperately searches for a place leave maniacal ramblings. Guess they found a place here.

        • I’m sorry you feel that way Gina. I always give someone the chance after pointing out that their interactions were not helpful or positive in the hopes that they’ll change or try to understand. That and my time is limited, my family took priority this weekend and I did not have the chance to check back here to see if the poster took that chance or not. For what it’s worth, and it may be nothing, I don’t think they found an audience here. ~Jessica

    • L . Murphy says

      Maria, I find you comments highly bitchy and distracting from the real issue here. Your personal attacks are offensive to those other than the ones you direct them at. WIC = Women, Infant and Children which is a supplementation and nutrition public health program, so yes the program is designed to provide nutritional education and information to all citizens. Formula may save lives but breastfeeding needs to become a normal part of child rearing in America.

  2. Jennifer says

    I got some help from a counselor at WIC for a problem I’ve been having, it was nice just to get an answer to what was going on. Sadly, politicians cut funding or threaten to cut funding to these important programs so that they can look like they’re doing something and to push their own agenda. It would be nice if they actually cared about their constituents, but they only care about getting reelected.

  3. How does one approved for WIC go about requesting to see someone such as yourself? I was unaware these options were even available, had I known I may have been able to breast feed my daughter longer when she was born. Knowing now will help me to breast feed for a much longer time with my next baby due in only 2 weeks. Thank you for this information!

    • Amber, I would advise you to call the WIC office nearest you and ask to speak to someone. If they don’t have the program, I would ask them why, and see if there is another office near you that does, or if you can lobby them to start a bfpc program.

    • Sandra Jean says

      Call your local WIC office and make an appointment. The process is easy. They will ask you about your income, family size, pregnancy, where you live, and any other assistance programs you recieve. WIC has higher income eligibility than most other programs. When you call to make an appt ask if you could have the number to their BPC so you could touch base before you deliver.

  4. Alissa Gomez-Dean says

    Please support breast feeding counselors for a healthier America!

  5. Stephanie says

    I would rather them slash the artificial milk budget in half and use that to fund peer counselors. Imagine that…having to cut money from somewhere and they choose to cut individual’s jobs that increase breastfeeding rates instead of giving out less free formula. It’s so backward!

    • Stephanie, I think the goal is to make sure babies have nutritious food, either breast or bottle. it doesn’t have to be either/or. Let the moms decide.

    • Stephanie, I agree! If there were more bfing support we would see higher bfing rates! This culture lacks knowledge of bfing and aren’t aware of the risks of formula. I know every baby needs fed but formula is fourth choice not 1st or 2nd ( I know not every woman can bf as it is very rare that literally they can’t, more lack of knowing how bfing works) I saddens me to no end how WIC offices are giving such crap information to moms!

  6. I’m a breastfeeding peer counselor for WIC in Albuquerque, NM. I really appreciate you bringing up this subject. While some moms are lucky enough to have insurance that covers it, or the resources to pay for private consultations with LCs, the majority of my clients through WIC are out granted Medicaid through pregnancy and left with questions once the baby comes. Sometimes people with the resources don’t realize what we offer, and its nice to see this being pushed on TLB.

  7. I work as a WIC Peer Counselor in Florida and was already given a heads up that I may not have a job next fiscal year due to budget cuts and the hours for the other counselors will be reduced.

    This is a scary prospect because the bulk of the regular WIC staff at our office is not informed about breastfeeding and in some cases not supportive at all of it so without our efforts the percentage of breastfed babies in our county will plummet.

  8. Breastfeeding my son is very important to me and at day 4, once my milk came in, he stopped latching on. I called La Leche League first, who only made things worse by saying it was my fault. I then saw a lactation consultant from the hospital who recommended I get a good breast pump free of charge from WIC, which I otherwise would not have been able to afford. So, while I was at WIC they offered breastfeeding help and I’m so grateful they did! Because of their knowledgable help, my son soon learned how to latch properly and we’ve been going strong for 6 months now! I will definitely be signing the petition and passing this along!

  9. Thanks so much for sharing and letting us sign the petition as well. I had a peer counselor that I saw multiple times during pregnancy to help me feel confident and then saw her multiple times with babe to fix latch issues and help me effectively pump while working. She was a VITAL part of my breastfeeding relationship and I couldn’t imagine not having access to her. She even gave me her personal email and personal phone so that when I was overwhelmed and scared and tired and hurting I could just call her… work hours or not. I also was asked at every appointment “Would you like an appointment with our breastfeeding counselor as well?” I didn’t know that wasn’t the norm… so thankful!

    …and I agree with Stephanie. I would GLADLY give up one of my NINE gallons of cow’s milk (for a home with a lactose intolerant husband and a breastfeeding baby… Nine? Really?) for the time with my counselor!!!!

  10. Our WIC office has wonderful breastfeeding support. I am so thankful that they are there.

  11. The wic breastfeeding councilor was so quick to tell me I was doing everything wrong, and since my son was losing weight, and suggested that I just go ahead and give him formula even after I told her no. She was even supposed to let me borrow a pump to work on my supply, but refused to do that even though another lady that worked at the front AND the pediatrician both told her I needed one. She ended up scaring me into giving him formula after a few visits, and I wish I never would of!

    • Oh my gosh, Erica! I am so sorry!

      I think with any position, there are good and bad people working it, but the overwhelming majority of women that I have met in this capacity would have been very supportive. I’m sorry you had a bad experience.

    • This is so very sad to hear. I am a WIC Peer Counselor and I’m super surprised to hear this. I can only hope that this Peer Counselor was early in her education and wasn’t aware of the detriment that those comments and suggestions made and that this isn’t something she suggests often.

  12. I have a friend who is a peer counselor and i have been so greatful for the advice i have gotten. It would be horrible for the funding to end, it is so nice to be able to get advice from other moms and just talk out issues.

  13. Karin Hewiit says

    …And it was because of your post a year ago that I looked into becoming a PC through WIC since there was nothing (and I mean No.Thi.Ng.) in my area for breastfeeding support. My county’s WIC office had no clue what I was talking about, so I let it drop. However, I had made a promise to some fantastic midwives back in the UK when they trained me to be a Breastfeeding Peer Supporter, that I wouldn’t let my training go to waste after I returned to the USA. I would some how find a way to help support mothers with their breastfeeding goals. I then contacted neighboring counties and they were just getting the grant to start the PC program in our area. Win! Eventually I was hired and just last month finished my training, another win! However from the onset, my 2 fellow PCs knew that we had the grant for about a year and then we might be out of a job. Learning that so many others face job loss is just heartbreaking. I will make the petition known to all my friends family and acquaintances. This program isn’t just money saving, but health and life saving too!

    Thank you for all of your hard work, and thank you for giving me the inspiration to become a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor!!!

    • Karin, thank you so much. I am honored by your words. And you are so awesome for having such dedication to helping other moms. <3

  14. Is this nation-wide (I’m assuming, right?) –I work as a BFPC and haven’t heard ANY word about losing funding?! We were actually just recently approved to receive MORE funding to hire more PC’s (for FFY 2012) and even more in FFY 2013…? I’m so confused. Do you think it’s possibly different by state?

  15. It really is absurd how much milk we’re given. I forget the actual amount because we MIGHT get a gallon of it every month. I refuse to drink it, and have since childhood, because the taste is nauseating. I’ll eat dairy but I will not drink milk. I don’t expect cows to drink what comes from my boobs for my children, after all. I also won’t just get the milk so the checks don’t go unused. I’d rather a portion of the checks go unused than waste food, even if it’s something I will not consume. I can’t be the only one who simply does not get all the milk either because they hate it, or because it’s physically impossible to use it all before it goes bad.

    Anyway, I’m on WIC because over a year after finishing my master’s in social work, I am still unemployed and our first baby is due at the end of August. Come to think of it, I didn’t ask about breastfeeding support at the office, and they’ve given me all of my checks through August.

    I’ve been loosely thinking about using my social work background to help me eventually become an IBCLC, seeing as I am uselessly unemployed anyway, and I thought I might have at least half a chance at becoming a peer counselor through WIC which would help me gain experience. So I can only take this news with an eye roll, because I’m very used to being screwed out of every opportunity I try to find for myself. I’m not surprised. I am saddened, however, by how many moms will suffer if this happens. Personally I have no experience breastfeeding but I am 100% determined to do it exclusively for a year, followed by part time for a couple more. I know I will need help. I know it will NOT be easy in the beginning. So far, I know my hospital has a class every weekday morning for anyone to drop in and get support, whether or not they’re actually in the hospital to have the baby. So there’s that. But what about 3 in the morning, when my nipples are cracked and bleeding and my baby is crying and hungry and won’t latch on? I’ll have my good friend Google for support, I suppose.

  16. They *do* have peer counselors at our local WIC office (mid-southern Illinois)…but to say they have awesome training would be a gross understatement. Our WIC office requires a breastfeeding class for all expectant moms before baby arrives, whether they are planning on breastfeeding or formula feeding. The “class” we had consisted of passing a jar around the table with little pieces of paper inside that had common breastfeeding facts & myths…unfortunately, the WIC employee that was present had never breastfed and said at least twice during the “class” that she didn’t do it because it was “gross”, “uncomfortable”, and “not natural”. The peer counselor had to look on the backs of the papers to tell on a few of them if they were facts or myths, and then made comments about not really knowing about the accuracy of the statements. A mom made a comment about being uncomfortable with potentially nursing in public…instead of encouragement or helpful tips from them, she was told “well, that’s when you can use a bottle of formula!”…they didn’t even suggest pumped breastmilk, much less attempting to nurse with a cover, practicing in front of a mirror at home, etc. After going into a LOT of detail with my responses to the facts & myths, I was told by the WIC employee & the peer counselor that I should be teaching the class because I knew more about breastfeeding than them 🙁 After having her first baby, my sister went to the office in tears because breastfeeding was not going well, hoping to get some help with latch issues, or at least a referral to somebody to help her (I was out of town)…they simply said “oh well, you tried, that’s what’s important!” and then handed her formula WIC checks and proceeded to tell her how much easier formula feeding is because dad can help & baby can spend the night with grandparents…never attempted to help her in any way and never gave a referral to local breastfeeding groups or LCs.

    That said…they do very much encourage breastfeeding at the office, if and when a mom is persistant enough to hang in there on her own. Moms are praised for keeping up with it, sent certificates every few months congratulating them, things of that nature. But help & education from them? Not so much.

    • Wow, Bren, I’m sorry. The education uniformly provided is generally through Every Mother Inc, and they are fabulously evidence based and wonderful. I wonder if your office was just starting the program and had an as yet untrained counselor.

    • Bren, having breastfed your own baby and been a WIC client are two of the three requirements to become a WIC breastfeeding peer counselor. I don’t think the person you’re discussing was a PC, at least not under the Loving Support campaign. I would encourage you to talk to the administrator of your WIC office, or contact your state lactation coordinator (contact info available on the USDA food and nutrition website) and share your experience. What you were told is outside the realm of what the WIC program expects of its employees, PCs or not. Talking about your experience with someone who has the authority to correct the issues will benefit many moms in your community. Please consider doing so.

  17. I am a Peer in Holmes Co. WIC i think our IBCLC does a amazing job but i would hate for them to cut us. I have made so many moms days for helping and i have many more.

  18. I love breastfeeding! I breastfed my first born until he was 12 months old and I am breastfeeding my second child now whom is 3 months old. The WIC office in my county are very supportive of breastfeeding, and in fact highly encourage all mothers to at least try it. A pregnant cousin of mine goes there, they have been trying to talk her into breastfeeding with this baby. And with her first two they tried to get her to breastfeed. I really hope this petition helps keep the funding for the BFPCs for WIC offices. It is very important to have these resources to all women trying to breastfeed and some can’t afford any other help. This has actually gotten me interested in becoming a BFPC.

  19. How does one apply to become a WIC counselor? Must you have been on/be on WIC?

    • I know that used to be the case but I’m not sure that still is so. However, I think the idea of it being a peer counselor is that they went through the program as well. Call your local WIC office and ask, it would be great if the program were to open up to others. ~Jessica

    • The requirements for being a breastfeeding peer counselor (in California) are that you must have breastfeed a baby for at least 6 months and you must speak the language of your clients. We prefer that our peer counselors were also on the WIC program, but it is not a requirement.

  20. I received WIC while I was pregnant with my LO and had planned on breastfeeding. I had a WIC peer counselor call me and check on me, though her timing was a little bad as I was in the ER. She called again but I went into pre-term labor and had the baby before I could let her know. She was wonderful and encouraging. Unfortunately I did not produce enough milk (partly due to stress and partly due to the environment I went home to) and had to end up giving my LO formula because she was Jaundice bad and spent extra time in the hospital under the phototherapy lights. I fully support BF and wish I could have done it for my LO but sometimes formula is the only way. I am thankful for the support WIC gave me though I wish they would have made it easier to get a pump once I was discharged from the hospital. It was extremely hard to get a pump and to get certified as an exclusively BF mom. I needed the pump when i left the hospital so that I could at least give my LO some BM but was unable to afford even renting a pump. That is something they need to work on, helping get more pumps out to new moms who have kids who cannot BF right away for some reason.

  21. I live in an area that VERY BADLY needs this program, but after many, many request nothing is being done. The WIC office I use pushes formula and NEVER once has had anything positive to say about breastfeeding.
    I was even asked to move from the waiting area when I was breastfeeding my son, waiting for a voucher pick up. I was told I “should do that somewhere private because other people might not like what I was doing.”

    • I can’t believe that as I am a Doula and a WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor. I would be upset if one of the other staff members told a breastfeeding mother to move. We have a sign in our office and lobby saying we welcome BF moms and BF moms can breastfeed anywhere in the office. Sometimes it could be other staff members (not the BFPC) not encouraging breastfeeding because of time restraints or they have not had the personal experience and have to discuss breastfeeding per WIC policy.

  22. Jack Kingston R-GA and several others that got this bill passed get major campaign support from different aspects of the nestle corp. so as a Wic BFPC they may put me out of a job but I’ll keep on keeping on long after the money is gone, so pass your bill corrupt politicians because you can take my paycheck but the burden of the people, of the new exhausted mamas is on my shoulders and you CAN NOT take that away!

  23. Sandra Mort says

    I’ve heard so many conflicting reports around the country. I was really lucky in Kingston NY. When i told them that my 2 year old was still nursing, I got nothing but positive reactions. As for becoming a peer counselor, I was told they have a very limited budget and are not permitted to take volunteers. I was disappointed — at that point, I had 12+ years of nursing under my belt. (Bra strap?)

  24. Kelle Northup says

    I have been reading some of these posts and I feel like I need to praise my local WIC office. My Breastfeeding Peer Counsleor has been so helpful to me. She’s always up on new or changing information and sharing her knowledge. She teaches the Breastfeeding Class & Childbirth Classes for several counties. Most recently has started a monthly group for nursing moms to get together and share experiences.
    Many many thanks to Lisa Paul and the Loudon County TN Health Department and WIC office.

    ~K, Lenoir City, TN

  25. Nadine Pallanes says

    I have been to two different wic offices the one in riverside in the arlanza park is the best on promoting breastfeeding..I loved going there,but I moved to Moreno valley and that wic office actually encouraged me to stop breastfeeding cause I asked about my little one biting me now…I shut that idea down right away but would really like to see that office start encouraging women to bf!

  26. I have no experience with WIC, but it’s frustrating that I couldn’t be a PC. I would love to become an IBCLC, but how can a working mom go about doing that? This is probably not the place to vent, but I’m sick of the lack of help for the working poor. We pretty much live paycheck to paycheck, but make too much to qualify for help. Doesn’t help to hear about iPhone and WIC in another group. I don’t have a smart phone. No cable. We rent an apartment. I know WIC is important, I’m just sick of not being important.

    • Kerri, are you on WIC? You don’t have to already be an IBCLC to be a peer counselor, it would be great for you to work with WIC and work towards your IBCLC. ~ Jessica

      • No, not on WIC. We don’t qualify for any assistance, hence my frustration. We have cut back on everything, no cable, no fancy phones, we eat mostly pasta. I try to make sure we get veggies, but we don’t have the money to buy a varietIy of meats. I’m pretty sure my dream of becoming an IBCLC, or any sort of breastfeeding support will remain that, a dream

  27. I am one of the Lactation Peer Counselor’s at the Muskegon WIC office. I feel that we are making an impact because we speak to many mom’s who were frustrated and just listened and assessed the whole situation with them by, firstly, asking how they feel about switching to formula, which most of the time the response is “Not happy at all.” We give them options and try to problem solve with them. I love my job. We lead discussions once a week busting the myths about BF, and we also teach women about the techniques of breastfeeding if they want to learn more outside of the infant feeding session. Boosting confidence is one of our main roles we play that helps to prolong the duration of breastfeeding with these mothers. I love when a mom leaves happier than when she came into the office, makes me feel very special to be a part of something I’m so passionate about. I have signed the petition and shared with all my family and friends. I feel the BFPC’s are essential in moving America into a more breastfeeding friendly and aware society where (hopefully) one day it will be considered “the norm.” I’m happy to contribute to this movement.
    Tara
    Lactation Peer Counselor
    Muskegon County Public Health WIC

  28. I meet my WIC PC when baby #4 was a preemie (not too preemie 35w5d)even if Im successful bf 3 kids almost for 3 years each before had a preemie via c-section have to pump (in this case he was fine but I was admitted when he was 1 week old with a lot of nuclear med going on) it was all new. My PC and the IBCLC and my LLl help me a ton a year after all that I became a BFPC and is the most rewarding job I ever imagine I could have. Im a single mom with 4 kiddos now but Im dedicated to help moms 24/7 even at 3am, even when one of my bb was at the ER. I love what I do, no bc is my job bc is what I love and is very rewarding.

  29. Jessica Rawlins says

    With all the money that is wasted in our state it seems to me it is only human to keep money to support those who are trying to do what is best for their babies!!! I know personaly that one lady who helps you through the tough hours or days can be key to not only BF success but that leads to health of baby and mom and the confidence of mom that can not be matched!

  30. Kimberly Watt says

    I am a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor in TN. Thank you, thank you, thank you for everything you do to support the program!

  31. Sandra Lobaina says

    I’m grateful to have been a part of this program and to have been able to work for them while bringing my baby to work his first year.. To hear that this program may be cut makes me incredibly sad.. I owe so much to the WIC Breastfeeding Program.. If not for the help with my first baby & then the continued support I would have never become a peer counselor & probably not have been able to achieve becoming an IBCLC..

  32. The amount of formula provided to fully formula-fed infants by WIC was reduced when the new food pcakages were roled out. That has resulted in an increased demand for formula from non-profit organizations. That increased demand for formula has caused non-profit organizations to cut back on other services they provide. That’s an excellent reason to encourage and promote breastfeeding, however, the Federal government has decided to go in the opposite direction by restricting funds for the WIC breastfeeding peer counselor program. Less free formula from WIC has resulted in higher retail formula sales. Fewer moms breastfeeding will result in higher formula sales. The influence of the formula companies in Washington DC is very powerful. This election year make sure you vote for people who are working on behalf of our most vulnerable citizens… our children. Let the candidates know that you will not tolerate a reduction in spending for WIC breastfeeding support and promotion.

  33. I am a peer in Wisconsin. My county is just starting our program. If any of you have any knowledge or ideas on how to make ours just as wonderful as some mentioned above we would love to have it. Thank you.