“When I heard about WIC, I was pregnant with my son. I had the impression that WIC was just a place to go for formula, and honestly didn’t take the time to inform myself properly about it. I had heard a lot of people talking about the stigmas around receiving government assistance, and I didn’t want to ask for help. I figured I was going to breastfeed anyway, and so I didn’t make an attempt to apply for it.
Well, fast-forward to the birth of my son, when I struggled to latch him at the breast, and ended up having to pump my breast milk for several weeks until I could finally get him to latch. I did this on my own, through trial and error, and went through a lot of struggle, many tears cried, and self-doubt. Now I know that, had I simply gone into WIC, I would have gotten the lactation help I needed.
I made the decision to sign up for WIC when my son was 6 weeks old, because I was struggling financially during my maternity leave. I walked into the office, with a feeling of shame because I was asking for help. When I got there, I was greeted with a smile, and connected with a Nutrition Educator who was able to explain what WIC was… and was not. I learned about the food benefits (not just formula), ongoing lactation counseling, and was connected with a Registered Dietitian who was able to talk with me about balanced nutrition as I continued to heal from my C-section. WIC ended up being so much more than I’d thought. And never was I treated as “less-than” because I was seeking food assistance.
WIC offered so many food options, and was actually a huge help for my family as my son grew. I was able to off-set a big portion of my grocery store costs through WIC, and I knew that the foods that I was being provided through WIC were nutritionally sound. I also knew that as my son grew, and I experienced changes with him in our breastfeeding journey through the toddler stage, I had resources through WIC that I could turn to for help. Weaning off of breast milk, having the dietitians there to help with navigating my son’s dairy intolerance, and learning how to properly balance his meals and snacks despite this as he grew was never difficult with the help of the WIC team.
For these reasons, I chose to leave my career in banking to join the WIC team as a Nutrition Educator and Certified Lactation Counselor. I understood the importance of supporting parents as they navigate caring for new babies, supporting moms as they experience all types of different issues in their pregnancies, and help with nutritional changes as children grow. I had a huge appreciation for breastfeeding, and understood firsthand how important it is to have sound resources to turn to when breastfeeding difficulties arise. I understood the importance of establishing a warm, community feel when people walk in the door, maybe with some of the same attitudes and stigmas regarding WIC that I had when I walked in seeking help. I believe that having been on WIC as a new mom has helped me connect with my own clients in a very personal way.
WIC is so much more than just a formula source, or food benefits, although those are both a huge help for so many of our Weld County families. We are cheerleaders and advocates for those families who need encouragement as they navigate parenthood through positive and healthy nutrition counseling and I truly feel that we make a huge difference for so many of the families that we are able to reach.”