In honor of National WIC Breastfeeding Week, as this has been declared by the Department of Agriculture (which, I'm pleased to report, is the relevant body because the Department of Ag provides nutrition assistance to low-income families, NOT because lactating mothers are classified as dairy cows), I hereby offer the following gentle reminder.
Breast milk is not free, both because mothers' time has value and because breastfeeding mothers must consume extra food in order to produce milk. (For more, please see "Be Honest: Breastfeeding Is Expensive and Difficult.")
I would also like to submit for your consideration the following excerpt from the USDA's internal "Breastfeeding Policy and Guidance" document, for use by staff at their nutrition assistance offices.
"When a breastfeeding mother requests infant formula, staff should assess and listen to the mother to determine the reason she is requesting formula and ensure the mother receives support from WIC staff with breastfeeding training, a peer counselor, lactation specialist, or other healthcare professional who can adequately address the mother's concerns and help her continue to breastfeed."
Say it with me, folks: Trust women. Also, this: