BREASTFEEDING ENCOURAGED AT LOCAL WIC OFFICE

Sherry Cheney has breastfed each of her four children, sometimes nursing two of them at a time.

Cheney is among the success stories from the Cape Girardeau Health Department's WIC program. Sara Michie nutritionist with the program, Women Infants and Children, said a goal of the program is to encourage breastfeeding among clients.

WIC is a supplemental food program. Often participants think of the program as a place to pick up free infant formula and other food items. But Michie said she encourages mothers to consider breastfeeding.

Michie said WIC has been actively promoting breastfeeding for the past three years. "A lot of people aren't educated about breastfeeding," she said. "We're trying to get the word out that breastfeeding is best."

Cheney agreed. Her oldest child is 6. When he was 15 months old, his brother was born, and she nursed them both. As one child weaned, another was born. Of the four, two are nursing.

"Before having a baby, you can never fathom all the advantages," Cheney said.

For some moms, breastfeeding can help them lose weight. It is significantly less expensive than infant formula, and nursing mothers say it is more convenient. No bottles are needed and milk is always ready. It is just the right temperature and the supply doesn't run out. For baby, breast milk is best nutritionally.

"It also makes you a lot closer to your baby," Cheney said.

Jane Newton was determined to breastfeed, although her mother was against it. "It's the best thing for the baby," Newton said. Her daughter weaned herself at 8 months. Newton is now nursing her newborn son. The WIC program offered her support.

"The only inconvenience is that sometimes we're late," Newton said. "If he's hungry I feed him. I don't make him wait." She nurses in public but tries to be discreet. "I don't want to embarrass anyone else," she said.

Newton is surprised by how few mothers choose to breastfeed.

Stephanie Summers said she initially planned to bottlefeed her babies. But a WIC nutritionist convinced her to try breastfeeding. She's glad she did.

The experience created a close bond. "I gave them something no one else could," Summers said. "I would tell anybody I know to try it."

For information on breastfeeding, contact the health department or the local LeLeche League.