Breastfeeding Promotion and Support in WIC

August 1-7, 2004 was WIC National Breastfeeding Week
Click here for the official proclamation from the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (pdf)

Research has shown that there is no better food than breast milk for a baby’s first year of life. Breastfeeding provides many health, nutritional, economical and emotional benefits to mother and baby. Since a major goal of the WIC Program is to improve the nutritional status of infants, WIC mothers are encouraged to breastfeed their infants. WIC has historically promoted breastfeeding to all pregnant women as the optimal infant feeding choice, unless medically contraindicated.

• WIC mothers choosing to breastfeed are provided information through counseling and breastfeeding educational materials.
• Breastfeeding mothers receive follow-up support through peer counselors.
• Breastfeeding mothers are eligible to participate in WIC longer than non-breastfeeding mothers.
• Mothers who exclusively breastfeed their infants receive an enhanced food package.
• Breastfeeding mothers can receive breast pumps, breast shells or nursing supplementers to help support the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding.

	Legislative History of Breastfeeding Promotion Requirements in WIC
	Current Federal Requirements
	"Loving Support Makes Breastfeeding Work" USDA National Breastfeeding Promotion Campaign Using Loving Support to Build Breastfeeding-Friendly Communities Using Loving  Support to Implement Breastfeeding Peer Counseling
	FNS Breastfeeding Mothers' Room
	Breastfeeding Promotion Consortium (BPC)
	Fathers Supporting Breastfeeding

For more breastfeeding information contact your State agency’s breastfeeding coordinator or visit the National Women’s Health Information Center web site at www.4woman.gov/Breastfeeding/

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