WIC: Breastfeeding and Lactation Support
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) supports you in feeding your child as much human milk as you want, for as long as you want. WIC can help you develop a feeding plan and meet your goals. Any amount of human milk gives your baby the healthiest start possible.
WIC is here for you
Join early in your pregnancy to get the most out of WIC!
- Learn why human milk is important for you, your child, and your family.
- Talk through your thoughts and concerns.
- Plan and prepare for feedings. WIC can provide information before your baby comes to help you know what to expect.
- Learn how to know what your baby is telling you.
- Learn about pumps, how to get one if needed, and ways to continue providing your milk when apart from your child, such as returning to work or school.
- Learn about lactation and breastfeeding resources and support in your community.
- Receive extra foods to support your nutrition as you feed your baby and stay enrolled up to the first year postpartum.
Visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) WIC Breastfeeding Support website for more helpful advice, tips, and resources.
WIC breastfeeding peer counseling
Who are breastfeeding peer counselors?
WIC peer counselors are parents with personal experience in breastfeeding and have special training in lactation and breastfeeding support. They can share their own experiences and provide help and advice based on current research.
When you are pregnant or a new parent, it helps to talk to other parents who know what you’re going through.
How can a WIC peer counselor help me?
Peer counselors provide support by phone or text and are available in the evenings and weekends, when parents often have questions!
Peer counselors can:
- Help you get a good start and feel confident in lactation and breastfeeding.
- Provide personalized support to help you on your feeding journey.
- Help you learn how to understand your baby and respond to what your baby is telling you.
- Provide tips on how to nurse or pump comfortably.
- Answer questions and help with concerns.
- Connect you with a lactation expert for more complex concerns and challenges.
- Provide tips on how to make enough milk to feed your baby.
- Support you with maintaining your supply when returning to work or school and help with a milk expression plan.
We know the importance of support! Get connected with free one-to-one support from trained lactation experts and breastfeeding peer counselors at a local WIC agency near you.
Related efforts
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health supports lactation and human milk feeding through a variety of programs. Visit the Maternal and Child Health Program’s Breastfeeding page and the Chronic Disease Prevention Unit’s Breastfeeding Initiatives page for more information.
More breastfeeding information can be found on the Breastfeeding Resources page.