[HeatherLopez]

Hey ladies, I don't normally post here anymore since my DD is 15 months old now and off of formula. I am currently pregnant again and I plan on mostly formula feeding and I'll probably pump for the first month. It just worked out so wonderfully for us last time around. WIC is requiring me to take a breastfeeding course. I am taking it online and I'm working my way through it, but it really feels more like a class all about the evils of formula feeding. I'm at a section where it explains some benefits of breastfeeding, and says "which one would you chose?" Just for the heck of it I clicked on formula feeding to see what would happen. Well a picture of a crying baby shows up and says "This baby isn't very happy. Try again." Ugh. Okay so we have established that I'm not going to lose weight after I have my baby, I'm more at risk for ovarian cancer, my baby is going to be obese, be slower than the breastfed babies, and die of SIDS. Got it.

[Gaby&Emmy'sMama]

that really upsets me.... we ALL know that breastfeeding is better for baby - we don't need it to be constantly pushed into our faces

*sigh*

[HeatherLopez]

Well the thing that get me about it, is I do want to pump the first month, but the attitude that I'm poisoning my baby by giving her formula just makes me NOT want to breastfeed at all. I know that is silly, but it just pushes me away from it.

[alicenwonderland]

I think its really sad that they go at promoting breastfeeding by shaming any other choice. I was an avid breastfeeder, and even i don't think thats right at all.

Just WIC trying to save some dough.

I also hate how they make it out as a choice, because sometimes it isn't.

[Vincent'sMommy]

Yeah, it makes me sick too. I'm glad that WIC exists (and pays for most of our formula) and very glad it promotes breastfeeding but they should be factual in the information they provide. Formula saves babies lives in many cases and the benefits of breastfeeding are probably not as significant as they are usually made out to be. It's so ridiculous to say that a baby isn't happy because it is fed formula.

I feel like I didn't have a choice to use formula - BF does not work out sometimes. They should work on better ways to provide support for new moms to help make BF work (I'm a recipient of WIC and my experience sucked) instead of making them feel bad when and if they choose formula.

[Daffodil]

That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard! First of all, its completely condescending. Second of all...its stupid! Like Michele said, formula saves babies lives. Not everyone can breastfeed. Not everyone chooses to breastfeed for whatever reason.

I exclusively pumped for 7 months and then part-time pumped for an additional month before switching to formula...let me tell you I think formula is one of the best things EVER! And my baby is certainly VERY happy!

[HeatherLopez]

Thanks! Glad to see I'm not the only one who found the wording and presentation of the class to be offensive.

[speechteach42]

That is really offensive and it's a shame that WIC is trying to bully moms into breastfeeding! Every mom should have a choice and feel supported in that choice.

[LifesGood]

thats disgusting! most women already feel bad enough if BFing isnt working for them, we get it thrown in our faces enough

[missy123]

I am currently on WIC and they are making me feel really bad about my decision to formula feed vs. breast. We have no choice than for me to go back to work when my baby is at max 2 weeks old. My DH will stay home with her and he can't produce milk. Uggg... they have made me feel horrible.

Sorry they are making you feel bad...I have never been questioned once by WIC for formula feeding the twins from day one....maybe because there are two of them....it is expected kind of for most people. I also never had to take a breastfeeding class...I took one with JoJo since I nursed her and it pretty much sucked...Not enough actually helpful info for someone in the thick of trying to make it work.

I am sure glad we Qualify for WIC...they alone spend 270$ a month on formula for us....we have to buy 100$ worth ourselves a month and that is just at a month old.

[MommyBeth]

I too formula feed, but I put in 16 weeks of bad health for myself. Exhausation, sinus infection, etc. I never had enough milk to keep up with my child. She never latched I exclusively pumped and a good day was 6-8 ozs. I took fenugreek and reglan pumped like crazy and nothing!!! I finally dwindled down in supply till I was only getting 1 oz a day! When I started the WIC the breastfeeding package came with a double pump which I already had, so we went with the formula package. I recieved some disapproving stares and looks until I told them she likes her groceries and I can't keep up with her. I'm sorry that they are being so rude and mean. But yes it's not right. I know plenty of babies that were formula fed and/or breast fed and they are just fine!!

[angelsailor288]

I'm glad our Wic doesnt do that. I took a prenatal breastfeeding class and had my head so filled with the idea that formula is bad, that when I started having to supplement Nicholas with it I got really depressed. No one should be made to feel that way so shame on them.

[Adrienne214]

WIC frustrates me too. They push BFing but then don't do anything to support you. With my first daughter I was pumping because she wouldn't nurse and my pump broke after 6 weeks. I asked WIC about a pump and they said only if I go to work. I'm a SAHM, can't afford day care on my pay. So I had to stop because I couldn't afford a new pump. So dumb.

[JadaJade]

I love how most of the time people are like " if you choose whther or not to breastfeed, it's the mothers decsion." I'm not going to breastfeed and I've been hearing crap about it since. Can't people just leave us alone? honestly? Are we bad mothers because we didn't breastfeed? I think not.