re: does WIC really help?

It helps a lot! I've got a 2 & 3 year plus I'm pregnant and we get at least 8 gallons of milk, 3 lbs of cheese, 3 lbs of whole grains, 3 jars of peanut butter, 2 dozen eggs, 4 things of juicy juice, 3 cans of juice, $17 for fresh fruit and vegetables, and 105 oz of cereal a month. I think that's it..

We were on it for around 3 months when DH lost his job. It helped us tremendously...like, so much more than I ever thought it would have. We stopped using it as soon as DH found another job, but it was a wonderful resource.

WIC helped tremendously. We breastfed until about 6 weeks. At that time, I believe formula was $11 per can. We got 10 cans/month. We only went to 2 maybe 3 appts. It wasn't so bad.
The food vouchers were a big help also. They didn't have the vouchers for fruit/vegetables/bread at that time like they do now. But I am still immensely grateful for everything that we received. We received WIC until our son was 1 year old.

I got WIC throughout my entire pregnancy and I am set up for my next appointment with my son on the 4th. It did really help. Milk isn't cheap and they allowed me to get 3-4 gallons a month. Also, formula is SUPER expensive and I'll be getting it for free.

If you think you are going to breastfeed, but are unsure. I would just say that you're not breastfeeding so you can get the formula and you don't have to go back and make a new appointment if you decide to formula feed or if breastfeeding doesn't work out for you. That way...You are already set up with the formula.

If you do say you are breastfeeding, I believe you get tuna and....That's about it as far as extra.

<blockquote><b>Quoting ☮ Phuket:</b>" are there different offices or just one around here?"</blockquote>




There's one per county, so you would have to go to the one that's in your county.

I have to go in every 3 months for my apptss

I had it with my last pregnancy and they gave me a TON of food. It was honestly too much! I had 3 kids and being pregnant, I got checks for each kid plus me. It was really nice to have it though, because we really needed it at the time. I hated having to take all Te kids for the appts though. They always poked their fingers and had huge meltdowns. Lol. And they gave me fresh fruits/vegetables. That was nice.

Quoting Kylees Mama:" <blockquote><b>Quoting ☮ Phuket:</b>" are there different offices or just one ... [snip!] ... just one around here?"</blockquote> There's one per county, so you would have to go to the one that's in your county."

that's not true. there's a ton in my old county. they tell you which one to go to, though.

I am on WIC... For my pregnancy and for my son. I am actually overwhelmed by it sometimes because I feel like its a huge blessing. I get 4.5 gallons of milk, cheese, peanut butter, eggs, juice, beans, bread or rice.... my son gets goat milk, cereal, bread, peanut butter, beans, juice, eggs. When I think about how much money it saves us, it brings me to tears. We aren't broke, but I realize how much it helps and I'm grateful. From my understanding, when this baby comes, if I don't BF (which I plan on BFing) then I'll get formula vouchers and my food vouchers will stop. Then when the baby is weaned of whatever its had, then it will get checks just like my sons.. for regular food. If you need it.... use it. No shame. I'm very grateful and to me its worth the appointments... its worth the hassle.

I love WIC. I was getting 10 can a month but now that hes 7 months it dropped down to 7 cans a month plus 30 cans of baby food and two boxes of baby cereal and oatmeal. Plus the eggs, milk, fruits/veggies and juice helps too. His formula is 20 bucks a can so they are saving me at least 200 bucks a month

I think it's worth it. My kids only have to go maybe twice a year. I EBF with my first and they gave me a free pump and nursing bra. If you mainly BF they'll give you a few cans of formula a month as well.

I had it during my pregnancy, and for a few months after DS was born.
But that was like 6 years ago.
It was just a hassle for me. I'm not into taking my newborn into some dirty ass place just to get some milk and cheese and smurf.
I started working and stopped showing up at WIC and that was that.

<blockquote><b>Quoting JiLLiAN.:</b>" that's not true. there's a ton in my old county. they tell you which one to go to, though."</blockquote>




Oh, we just have one office here.

<blockquote><b>Quoting ☮ Phuket:</b>" do you get more milk and food and stuff the more kids you have? or how does that work"</blockquote>



Each child is covered until 5 yrs old.

Quoting Mayhem.:" I had it during my pregnancy, and for a few months after DS was born. But that was like 6 years ago. ... [snip!] ... dirty ass place just to get some milk and cheese and smurf. I started working and stopped showing up at WIC and that was that."

I think I only had to take my son once, maybe twice. The other times he waited in the car with my dad or stayed home with someone.