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.
Released October 2014
FY 2012 WIC Breastfeeding Data Local Agency Report
Released December 2013
FY 2011 WIC Breastfeeding Data Local Agency Report
Released October 2012
FY 2010 WIC Breastfeeding Data Local Agency Report
Released December 2011
Institute of Medicine Report: "Updating the USDA National Breastfeeding Campaign - Workshop Summary"
Released September 21, 2011
WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Study Final Implementation Report
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) undertook the WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counseling study to understand both the way that breastfeeding peer counseling grants are being used, and their impact on breastfeeding among WIC participants. It will ultimately provide a comprehensive and systematic picture of the implementation and impact of the Loving Support Peer Counseling program. This initial report, which looked at grants provided in FY 2007 and 2009, focuses on implementation, describing the process by which States implemented the Loving Support model, and how funds are being used. It also describes general characteristics and operational issues in a sample of local WIC agencies implementing the program, and explores five agencies in more depth through local case studies. A second study, on the impact of an enhancement of the Loving Support Peer Counseling Program on breastfeeding outcomes for WIC participants, is underway.
Breastfeeding Food Package Guidance
Issued May 20, 2009
"Loving Support Makes Breastfeeding Work" is the name of the WIC breastfeeding promotion campaign, which is national in scope and being implemented at the State agency level. The goals of the campaign are to: encourage WIC participants to initiate and continue breastfeeding; increase referrals to WIC for breastfeeding support; increase general public acceptance and support of breastfeeding; and provide technical assistance to WIC State and local agency professionals in the promotion of breastfeeding.
Using Loving Support to Build Breastfeeding-Friendly Communities Using Loving Support to Implement Breastfeeding Peer Counseling "Fathers Supporting Breastfeeding" Project
Resources available as part of a continual effort to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates among African American women by involving fathers in breastfeeding promotion efforts.
Order online or print order form (pdf)
"Breastfeeding: A Magical Bond of Love"
Research-based, culturally-sensitive breastfeeding resources that address perceived barriers to breastfeeding among Hispanic participants.
Order materials: Magical Bond of Love Order Form (pdf)
Health & Nutrition Information for Pregnant & Breastfeeding Women (links to ChooseMyPlate.gov website)
Tips for Breastfeeding Moms (English and Spanish) (fact sheet in PDF)
Legislative History of Breastfeeding Promotion Requirements in WIC Current Federal Requirements (updated November 2009) Breastfeeding Promotion Consortium (BPC) FNS Breastfeeding Mothers' Room Publications - Resources for WIC Clinics