So, you’re pregnant. Whether you’re married or not you may have been in the situation of needing assistance in paying for things, getting groceries, etc. Where can that extra help come from? Well, my suggestion is to go to your local Health Department and see about signing up for the WIC program.
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) is a program designed to help mothers in getting assistance with groceries while pregnant and baby foods after you deliver. They assist in educating moms on how to care for their baby concerning food and what options for feeding are best for mommy and baby.
Some people may think signing up for one of “those” programs is just for poor people or that it’s the same as getting food stamps. Not at all. It is not food stamps, it is not just for the poor, and it is NOT embarrassing. Don’t let potential embarrassment keep you from seeking the help you need and can readily get if you just reach out for it. There is no shame in educating yourself about how to care for your child if you don’t know or receiving help with food for your child if you need it. Babies are expensive. If you need help girl, get it.
I am married but I don’t work. Daycare is expensive and our families and friends all have day jobs. What does that mean? It means we sacrifice the second income so that I can stay home with our baby and care for him. I love it because I see EVERYTHING. Every new reaction, every milestone. I love it. But it is a sacrifice. At times it does get tough.
WIC has helped a lot. I don’t have to worry about how we’re going to buy baby food for my little one. You have to go to their office with your baby for a wellness check every few months and they give you vouchers to go to the store for baby food. It’s not food for the house, it’s literally for jars of baby food and baby cereal. Before I delivered, the vouchers were for regular foods that are good for pregnant women like soy milk, certain bread, peanut butter etc. It’s NOT food stamps.
The WIC program is purely one-track minded and that is the health of the baby. They feed the baby by feeding you while you’re pregnant and then they solely feed your baby once they’re delivered. I can’t stress enough, the program is about your kid overall, not you. So don’t make it about you.
I’ll admit, in the beginning of receiving vouchers I was terrified. I’d read so many stories online of women trying to use their vouchers at the store and being turned away for grabbing the wrong thing, being embarrassed by the cashier, having people in line ridicule or be rude to them for holding up the line. There were all sorts of stories I’d read about. I wanted no part of any of those experiences.
So, after I delivered I would go to the store SUPER early in the morning, like ridiculously early when I thought most people would be at work. I’d make a full game plan in a notebook with the EXACT brands I needed to grab so as to avoid being embarrassed or turned away. I read every single label as I shopped to make sure I had what I was supposed to have. I even refused to go until my mom was going so that she could stand directly behind me with her own shopping cart so I could avoid someone in line saying something to me if I took too long. I WAS THAT PARANOID.
Eventually it was too much. I had to realize, hey, I’m here to get food to feed my kid. I have the privilege of getting help and not having to pay for this stuff and I shouldn’t be ashamed. Feeding my kid is not shameful. Getting help because I need it is not shameful. So now I go, alone, when I want… or when time allows, cuz you know, I have a baby haha.
Don’t be ashamed mama. If you need help, get that help. There’s no shame in needing help. This is about our beautiful chunky babies, not us.
If you’re on WIC, comment below. I’d love to know what your experience has been, be it good or bad.
Baby Disciples 
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