How WIC Supports Breastfeeding

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Published on Wednesday, 03 May 2017 17:09

Many women find that they have questions and concerns regarding breastfeeding. There is a lot of misinformation that gets passed around, and it often leaves moms wondering if breastfeeding is really the right choice for her and her child. WIC helps provide education and training to moms as they begin their breastfeeding journeys. Here are a few ways we help.

1.) One-on-One Meetings with the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

When you come to WIC as a pregnant or breastfeeding mom, you will meet with our Breastfeeding Peer Counselor at each WIC appointment. She is an experienced breastfeeding mom with a passion for breastfeeding and a desire to see moms succeed. Each time you meet with her, you can talk about:

  • Questions or concerns you might have about breastfeeding
  • The amazing benefits of breastfeeding, both for you and your baby
  • Tips and tricks to make breastfeeding easy and practical for your family
  • Breast pumps and where to get one if you need one
  • Ideas on how to continue breastfeeding when you return to work or school
  • Local resources that will help you in your breastfeeding journey

2. Breastfeeding Help Hotline

If you need after-hours support, please call our Breastfeeding Help Hotline at 816-273-2278 anytime before 10 pm. The Hotline is run by our Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, and she would love to talk to you and make sure you have any questions you might have answered. 

3.) Hospital Grade Breast Pumps

We supply breast pumps to moms who are wanted to return to school or work and are planning on being away from their babies for a period of time, or moms who need to increase or maintain their milk supply. Our goal is to improve the health of both women and infants by helping women provide the best possible nutrition available - mother's milk. To meet the needs of all breastfeeding moms, our WIC program has three types of pumps:

  • Multi-user electric breast pumps may be loaned to WIC moms who need to establish their milk supply without their baby, such as in cases of prematurity, sick newborn, or other special needs. WIC participants who are loaned a multi-user electric pump should be given a milk-collection kit that is theirs to keep.
  • Manual breast pumps can be given to WIC moms for any reason.

Breast pumps are offered to participants based on what a mom needs, and we make sure to talk to women about hand expression, as well as the importance of feeding their infant at the breast.

When talking with Breastfeeding Peer Counselor about your need for a pump, she might ask you the following questions to get a better idea of what type of pump will best fit your needs:

 

  • How long are you planning on breastfeeding your baby?
  • Will you be returning to work or school? If so, when?
  • Including your commute to and from work, how long will you be separated from your baby?
  • Is your employer or school supportive of your breastfeeding your baby?
  • Will you have access to clean, private and safe place to pump every day?
  • Is your day-care provider supportive of your breastfeeding?

 

If you have any questions about breast pump eligibility contact our office at 816-324-3139.

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