Equal Opportunities
by Kate Kahn - 29th November 2007
I know several people who are pregnant right now. They run the gamut in terms of age. Some are in their 40s. Others are in their 30s. Some are married, some are not. And one is on her second marriage. One is going to take at least six months maternity leave. Another is a stay-at-home mom with four kids and this will be her fifth. All are planning on breastfeeding. And that's great news.
And while they all are different in their own circumstance, they all have one thing in common. All are educated, middle to high income families with access to good medical care and thus good prenatal care. And because of that they will most likely get all the support they need to make breastfeeding work for them. But that's not the case with so many new moms.
Millions of mothers-to-be are in a different situation. They are in a low socio-economic bracket, often without consistent medical care and they are dependent upon the WIC program. In many states WIC programs are being underfunded and cut back, and millions of women and children will not get the head start or the supplemental nutritional support they need as their children get bigger.
WIC is funded by a federal grant. Congress authorizes the amount of money each year. Those in government need to put themselves in the shoes of those dependent on this valuable service that not only feeds so many but educates the parents. Our leaders need to assign the necessary funds to give every new mother the support needed to give breastfeeding a shot, and the food necessary when breastfeeding doesn't work.
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