Breast is Best

The other day I was Tweeting playing with Courtney and I came across a link to this post.  So, like a good mom, I waited until she was done playing with the outlet napping before reading it.  I have to say, I was a little irked.  And the more I think about it, the more pissed I become.

Here’s the scoop: The federal government has decided that breastfeeding is the best possible thing a new mom can do for her baby.  Yup, I agree.  As well as pediatricians all over the world.  As a matter of fact, it’s so good, they will stop paying for moms to buy formula with their WIC (Women, Infants and Children) cards and have changed formula to a rebate only system.

What is WIC?  Well, glad you asked.  It is a federally funded program that helps women buy certain foods for themselves and their kids.  Items like bread, milk, eggs, cheese and a few other things.  Women who qualify for WIC already get some other form of federal aid.  These women are very low income.

Now, I’m all for breastfeeding.  I think that not only does it create a special bond between mom and baby, it’s the single best thing I can do for my child when she’s an infant (other than change those stanky diapers).  However, I also happen to know that I’m VERY fortunate to have spent this time at home with Courtney.  I’m VERY fortunate to have an ample milk supply.  I’m VERY fortunate that I was able to master the latch and make it all work.  I’m VERY fortunate that my husband supports this effort.  I don’t know that I’m in the minority in all this but this isn’t the case for many women.

I find this new “rule” outrageous for many reasons.  First off, I can’t imagine why the government would change this.  I just picture a bunch of 60ish men, sitting around some dark conference room, trying to figure out how to save the government money and they’re all, “Let’s NOT feed babies formula!  All those moms have boobs!!  They make food!  They don’t need no stinkin’ formula!”

Second, as I posted about a few weeks ago, not all women work in an environment where they CAN pump every 3 hours to maintain that milk supply.  While WIC will help pay for pumping supplies and shields and other tools necessary to pump, it’s just not all that realistic.  The woman that was a temp at Isotoner got CANNED because she was pumping.  She wanted to nurse her baby, she needed to maintain that milk supply, her employer FIRED her for that.  And what about women that work in environments where there is no private place to pump?  Are they supposed to strap on the pump in the break room?  Clearly these men don’t know anything about breast pumps and what they entail.

Thirdly, not all women CAN nurse.  Some women have no milk at all.  No matter how hard they try, nothing.  And what if some woman has had a lump removed or some type of cancer and it’s screwed up the plumbing in there and nothing comes out?  Like that’s her fault?  “Sorry your boobs are dry lady.  No federal assistance for you.”

Also, have you bought formula lately??  This junk is EXPENSIVE . If I make 185% below the poverty level and qualify for WIC, I can’t pay for formula outright.  Um, hello?  If I can’t nurse and I’m feeding my baby 5 times a day from a bottle, I’m going to go through a can of formula in a week.  And I need to apply for some rebate from the government to get my money back?  Seriously?  How long does it take to turn around a government check?  Four weeks?  Six weeks?  And I have to buy formula EVERY WEEK?  What the hell is WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE???

OK, I’m done but man am I pissed.  Yes, encourage women to nurse.  Encourage them to make those babies healthy and strong.  But DO NOT punish women when it doesn’t work and please, do NOT punish the babies.

I’m so fired up about this, I think I may have to write a letter to my congressMAN.