I was on the WIC Program (Women, Infant, Child Program) for many years when my children were very small. It was a real blessing and helped us through some tough times when we were first starting out. I nursed two of my children, but bottle-fed the other two. WIC, while encouraging mothers to nurse their babies with mother’s milk, also allowed moms to purchase infant formula if they so chose.
There’s a new program with the WIC Program concerning this, mandated for all states in the U.S.: funding is being redistributed to provide more baby food, juices, fresh fruits, and veggies because they want to officially encourage mothers to nurse their babies with their own milk. You can still choose to receive infant formula, but the new policy will be to distribute 13% less formula than before. If mothers choose to feed their babies with formula, they will have to buy formula on their own.
And have you moms seen the prices of the “name-brand” formula out there?! It’s crazy! Check out this baby formula calculator to see how much it can cost. That calculator is also a good way to see how much you can SAVE if you DON’T buy the name-brand. There’s another choice of infant formula, and it’s just as good as the name-brand: Parent’s Choice.
Technically, there is no such thing as “generic” baby formula in the U.S., because ALL formulas must meet FDA regulations. So Parent’s Choice is just as good for baby as the name-brand, but it’s even better on your budget. And if I recall correctly, young families with little kids need to save every dollar they can when starting out! Check out the baby formula calculator for more info.
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September 5th, 2009 at 8:42 am
WIC is changing their food packages - I’m not sure of all the details, but I know that they’ll finally be providing fruits and vegetables. One thing though…even before these changes, WIC does not provide all the formula a baby will need. It’s always been considered a “supplemental” food program. I’ve never gotten formula through them, but all their literature says “WIC does not provide all the food your baby will need.” Just wanted to point that out. The need to buy more is not a new thing.
Anyway, sorry to sound like the local WIC expert, gah! lol
September 5th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Hiya Cindy! Yes, even 10+ years ago when I got WIC, they never fully paid for infant formula, I remember. I think I spent about $10 of my own money for it back then, per week. But I think WIC is cutting it back even more, so as to add fruits and vegetables.
September 5th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
This makes me wonder about mothers who cannot breastfeed. I did nurse my first 3 girls. I did each one a little longer. Learning to breastfeed is difficult. I don’t think people realize how very stressful it can be. I did enjoy the bonding and I learned with each child I had. With my fourth it was devastating to me that I could not nurse her. I had chemo throughout my pregnancy and had to start radiation treatments about 2 weeks after she was born due to lymphoma and it was in that area. I couldn’t nurse her no matter how much I wanted to. I of course am no longer qualified to receive WIC anyway but my question is basically are there still options for WIC to help with formula if the mother cannot breastfeed? I will have to look this up.
September 5th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Sandi, your comments are very thoughtful. Here in New York State, I assume WIC would direct such a case to Social Services. Many times, government bureaucracies are very inflexible and will not bend for anyone, anytime. But I would think that in a case where the mother is ill and her income is low enough, the state would direct the mom to another source to make up for it. Still, “generic” formula is a very inexpensive choice.
October 18th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Sandi,
WIC does support women who choose to use formula: you can either sign up to partially breastfeed or formula feed in total. WIC is a supplemental program that is now more heavily promoting breast milk, so the vouchers for formula have been reduced anywhere from 13%-26%, but it’s still a good deal. When your vouchers for free formula run out buy a store brand formula until the next month begins and you pick up more vouchers at your local WIC office. It’s okay to switch formulas as long as it is from milk to milk or soy to soy. Switching to a store brand will save you half the money until you get more vouchers.