What is WIC?   If you are pregnant, have just had a baby or are breastfeeding a baby, or have a child under the age of five, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) might be able to help you.   WIC is a short-term program designed to help you and your family build healthy eating and living habits that will last a lifetime! WIC Mission Statement To improve the nutrition and health status of low-income women, infants, and preschool children who are at-risk by providing: * Nutritious Food * Nutrition and health education * Breastfeeding education and support * Referrals to health and human services

The New Look of the Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC)

After more than 30 years of successfully improving the health status of low-income women, infants and children, the WIC Program is changing its focus to tackle the critical health issues of the new millennium. By 2009, the WIC Program will be providing a new assortment of foods and enhanced breastfeeding support efforts. Vegetables, fruits, whole wheat bread, tortillas, salmon, mackerel,soy milk and tofu are just some of the new foods.

Faced with the challenges of the obesity epidemic, reducing the risk of chronic diseases and encouraging breastfeeding, the WIC Program’s goal is to help families meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the Healthy People 2010 Objectives and follow the American Academy of Pediatric (AAP) recommendations for infant nutrition.

How will WIC step up its promotion of breastfeeding?
WIC is committed to assisting mothers in establishing and continuing to breastfeed in the critical weeks after birth and beyond. Food benefits are available to the mother for the first year of breastfeeding and solid foods are provided to the infant beginning at six months of age.

What is meant by targeted support services?
WIC staff members are trained in lactation counseling and, in most programs, peer-counseling services are offered to pregnant women and new mothers. Peer counselors are mothers who have breastfed at least one infant and received special training from WIC in how to provide breastfeeding support. Women are introduced to their peer counselor during pregnancy so that a relationship is established and breastfeeding education can occur before the baby is born. The literature shows that peer counseling is one of the most successful interventions for increasing breastfeeding among low-income women. Other support services include the availability of breast pumps to mothers who are returning to work or have other special needs.

What about women/infants who are partially breastfeeding?
A “partial breastfeeding” option is available. If appropriate, mothers may be provided with one can of powdered formula for the first month of breastfeeding. The literature has shown that exclusive breastfeeding for the first month is crucial for establishing an adequate milk supply and that supplementation with formula during that period could undermine breastfeeding’s success.

What about mother/infants pairs who are not breastfeeding, what will they receive?
WIC will provide a pre-determined monthly allotment of infant formula. Quantities of formula will be adjusted according to the growth needs of the infant.

How is WIC responding to different cultural preferences?
Certain foods may be substituted for some of the basic WIC food items. For example, brown rice or whole grain tortillas may be substituted for the whole grain breads. Calcium-set tofu or calcium fortified soy milk may be substituted for cow’s milk.

How is WIC helping to reduce the risk of chronic diseases?
Reducing the fat content of the foods it provides – Currently only 1% or skim milk is available to children 2 years of age and older and women.
Increasing the fiber content of the foods it provides - Whole grain cereals, whole grain breads, canned or dried beans and cash value vouchers for vegetables and fruits will be available.
Increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables – Cash value vouchers for fresh, frozen and canned fruits and vegetables will be provided year round.

What are the health outcomes WIC is trying to achieve?
The following goals have been set for each category of participant:
-Pregnant Women- deliver a healthy full term infant while maintaining optimum health.
-Breastfeeding and Postpartum Women- Achieve optimum health during childbearing years, reduces risks of chronic diseases.
-Infants- Achieve optimum growth and development in a nurturing environment and develop a foundation for healthy eating practices.
-Children-Acquire dietary and lifestyle habits associated with a lifetime of good health while achieving optimum growth and development.

For additional information on the New York State WIC Program please call the Growing Up Healthy Hotline at 1-800-522-5006. Information regarding the new WIC food packages can be found on the United State’s Department of Health website at www.usda.org.