November 22, 2009
What's Inside:
Our opinion: WIC wise to promote breastfeeding
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
The concept of rationing and apportioning food based on one’s parenting choices is a reality at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
Starting Oct. 1, the state implemented the largest overhaul in 30 years of its food program for women, infants and children (WIC). According to the agency, the changes are designed to encourage more women to breastfeed their infants and to combat obesity.
Breastfeeding has so many important benefits for mother and child that the state agency and the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention both have identified the need to promote it aggressively. Missouri trails much of the nation in breastfeeding, with a third of infants never breastfeeding and another third stopping short of six months.
According to the CDC, breast milk is easy for infants to digest and contains antibodies that can protect them from bacterial and viral infections. For mothers, the research indicates those who breastfeed may have lower rates of certain breast and ovarian cancers.
To raise participation levels for women using WIC resources, the program now is structured so women who are breastfeeding receive the most variety and the largest quantity of food and a $10 cash value voucher for fruits and vegetables. Fully breastfed infants from 6 to 12 months old receive baby food meats and larger quantities of baby food fruits and vegetables.
The other changes in the WIC program are focused on improving the diets of all recipients. Whole grains and fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables are emphasized. Canned beans are available as an alternative to dry beans. Juice is eliminated for infants and milk, eggs, juice and cheese are reduced for women and older children. All infants older than 6 months will receive infant fruits and vegetables.
This news arrives as the nation’s dieticians are sounding the alarm over research showing almost one in five 4-year-olds already is obese. Separate research finds just one in 10 high school students is eating the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables.
Considering the WIC program locally serves more than 2,100 people a month, this looks like a good place to reach a vulnerable group of young people and give them a healthier start in life.
This story has 13 comments. Click here to join in on the discussion.
Story Tools
Hyperlink Legend
E-mail story
Print friendly version
iPod friendly version
Today's Top Headlines
Characters set the stage for children’s programming
Kids choice of favorite shows varies
Health care bill clears Senate
It’s official: Santa’s here
Task force report stirs health debate
JOB SEARCH
RECENTLY DISCUSSED
Businesses line up against health proposal
(8 comments)
Coleman, Intel join forces
(93 comments)
It's your call, Nov. 22, 2009
(2 comments)
City wants grant to battle smoking
(81 comments)
More Popular Discussions
(8 comments)
Coleman, Intel join forces
(93 comments)
It's your call, Nov. 22, 2009
(2 comments)
City wants grant to battle smoking
(81 comments)
How are they going to monitor if these mothers are really breastfeeding or not? Why don't they do away with giving vouchers for formula? If you can't afford formula what better way to feed your baby with no cost!
Because breastfeeding isn't possible for all women/babies. So, would you rather the baby starve than have them give away vouchers?
I would rather they not pop out kids if they can't afford to buy milk for them. Or , is that an option?
rk, kind of an insensitive comment, imho.
have you NOT read that this area is losing jobs????? never mind that..... let's visit the "sins" of the mothers on their children..... always a great idea! heartless in the heartland........
I am with RK. Could we also make them pass some sort of parenting test before they can have babies? Seriously too many people who have kids who have no business having kids.
Have they not read about people losing jobs?? They are talking about feeding babies, not someone that lost their job's 5 year old. But it is all good...have a kid, we will pay for it.
redness, that is vulgar.
rk, simple humanity would dictate that we care for our most vulnerable. what about women who are already pregnant whose jobs have been eliminated/laid off, or their husband's jobs. what do you suggest they do? abort?
simply because a certain segment of the population will take advantage is not a valid justification for painting the entire population in need as deadbeats who are working the system. isn't it a good thing that WIC is now working to put their valuable resources in the best possible framework? i think that cutting back on high fructose juice, and helping to provide more fresh vegetables is a definite move in the right direction.
kidder, i know plenty of people who have the financial capability to have children who are NOT good parent material. economic status is not the sole qualifier, imo.
I am sure there are cases like that. And I have always said they should double their benefits. And I have not said anywhere to deny a child anything.But does anyone here really think that even 20 percent of these women using the WIC program even had a job to begin with? Or had a job that didn't pay enough to have a puppy, let alone kids. And a step further..how many did we pay the hospital bills for to have the kid? The reason this has went on and on and on for generations, is people ignore it, or get called insensitive, or child haters for simply pointing out the obvious. We are paying for stupid people, and those that aren't stupid but figured out how to get an extra check. I am going to check and see how many of these women were on welfare before they were even pregnant. More than likely, the figures will be well hidden or I will be told it is none of my business.
The promotion of breastfeeding is long overdue. The benefits are too many to list and the cost savings is extremely significant, especially when the cost is shouldered by the tax payer. Breastfeeding also reduces the likeliness of obesity in children.
And yes, mamu, breastfeeding is possible for every child and mother.
there are many valid reasons why some mothers cannot breast feed successfully........including having a low milk supply, mastitis, a poor latch, sore nipples, plugged ducts, leaking milk, colic, refusing to nurse, biting, and engorgement, and thrush.
rk, i maintain that reducing funding will cost more to society in the long run. this program is called women, INFANTS AND CHILDREN. it is all about layers of protection. i cannot see punishing a child for the mistakes or life circumstances of its parent.
I would be interested to see how many woman on WIC could be breastfeeding that aren't. I know there are circumstances where a mother cannot breastfeed her baby but there also allot that can that just don't. If you can afford to buy your own formula than have at it but if you can't and rely on government assistance than they should be breastfeeding.
i beg to differ with sunny13. not all mothers can breast feed. my grand-daughter was allergic to breast milk and had to be put on soy. seems it caused her to bound up and would just cry. they put her on soy everything was fine. lucky shes out grown it now and can drink a cow dry. my grandson was just the opposite, would ha've been cheaper to buy a cow.
when breastfeeding is possible though my wife would highly encourage it, she breastfed all are girls. cheaper then a holstein.