WIC, the federal Women, Infants, and Children program, is an important part of our country's breastfeeding support system. It's the only targetted government support of direct breastfeeding help that I know of. And right now - really the next couple of days - its growth is in serious jeopardy.
WIC provides supplemental food, nutrition education, referrals for pregnant women, breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding women, infants, and children to age five. The mothers and children supported by the program are considered at nutritional risk.
For years WIC was known as the "free formula" program, and it probably still is in some communities. But program changes in the last few decades have turned it into a critical support for breastfeeding for lower income families. In some communities it's the only source of breastfeeding help around. And very recent changes to the program have improved the kinds of food families can get and align it with the current recommendations regarding exclusive breastfeeding.
Here's the thing I love about WIC: much of the breastfeeding help it provides is through "breastfeeding peer counselors," often former or current WIC moms who help other moms. Research has shown that peer counselors increase the initiation and duration of breastfeeding. It's a cheap, effective way to increase the breastfeeding rate in a population less likely to breastfeed. And it looks like it's working: breastfeeding rates among WIC particpants are on the rise. WIC also makes great promotional and education materials like this poster showing some differences between breastmilk and formula. Here's a recently released video on the breastfeeding program.
So, what's the problem? WIC is in danger of becoming a casualty of the current budget impasse in Washington. For the last ten years there has been a bipartisan agreement to fully fund the program, but this year the President, the House, and the Senate have all approved a funding level which will not be enough to cover the projected caseload. With higher food prices, increased numbers of eligible families, and declining rebates, the program costs are increasing, and the funding levels being discussed in Washington just won't cover the need.
So stop reading this right now and send an email asking that WIC receive enough funding to not have to cut half a million families from the program. It'll take 10 seconds. For more information on the issue, see the National WIC Association website.
Um, you're still reading this. Get going to that website and protect the program now!
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