Introduction
Breastfeeding is a gift that only a mother can give to her children. The baby feels safe and secure while lactating, as it gives a healthy start to the infant’s life. Breastfeeding helps both the mother and the child; it is considered an optimal source of nutrition during the early months. The nutrition status of the mother during and after pregnancy has significant effects on the children. Malnutrition is prevalent, especially among low-income pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children. The WIC program serves around 53 percent of all infants born in the United States, promotes breastfeeding, and provides support, especially to nutritionally vulnerable mothers and young children, thus helping improve their health.
What Is the WIC Program?
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is an American federal assistance program that is designed to improve healthcare and nutrition among low-income women. The WIC program was established in 1972 and became a permanent program in 1974. It is administered federally by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and managed by the state health departments. The WIC program was established mainly to help low-income women, infants, and children lead healthy lives by providing breastfeeding promotion, nutritional foods to supplement diets, education, referrals to healthcare services, and economic support to purchase nutritious foods at retail stores.
Who Is Eligible for the WIC Program?
The WIC program is available to eligible applicants under the following criteria:
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The applicant's gross income must be at or below 185 percent of the United States poverty income guidelines.
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The applicants must be staying in the United States to which they are applying for assistance.
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A nutritional risk assessment must be performed by a qualified health professional based on height, weight, growth, general health history, hemoglobin levels, and diet.
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Participants with nutritional deficiencies, abnormal nutrition conditions, gestational diabetes, homelessness, alcohol or drug abuse, etc., are eligible for this program.
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Pregnant women during their pregnancy and up to six weeks after birth.
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Postpartum women up to six months after giving birth.
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Breastfeeding women up to their infant’s first birthday.
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Infants up to their first birthday.
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Children up to their fifth birthday.
What Are the Services Offered by the WIC Program to Breastfeeding Mothers?
Once the applicants are eligible for the WIC program, the following services can be availed;
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The promotion of breastfeeding is the primary goal of this program; hence, nursing mothers can receive guidance and support materials from certified lactation educators regarding healthy eating, proper techniques, and the benefits of breastfeeding.
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Food items such as cereals, cheese, eggs, fruits, juices, milk, whole grains, fish, etc., are provided to participants in the program, including breastfeeding women and children. It also provides soy-based milk, beverages, and products for women and children with various metabolic disorders or other diseases.
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The participants can attend free health and nutrition education classes in order to understand their specific needs and also learn about certain disease prevention and health improvement strategies.
What Are the Other Benefits of the WIC Program?
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An electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card is issued through which the participants can buy nutritious food to help them meet their needs.
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It provides services to married and single parents, grandparents, foster parents, or legal guardians who reside with a child below five years of age and are at nutritional risk.
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Education on nutrition is provided through a registered dietitian, depending on the state.
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The program also offers regular screening for anemia for participants older than one year.
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Participants can avail themselves of guidance and assistance in prenatal programs, immunization programs, and other treatment programs.
What Is the Role of the WIC Program in Breastfeeding?
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According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), breastfeeding promotion is essential among WIC participants in order to make them understand its importance and nutritional value.
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Breastfeeding is an effective method to prevent childhood obesity, and the major goal of the WIC program is to encourage breastfeeding among participants, decrease the number of formula foods given to infants, and improve the nutritional status of the infants.
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Guide to Breastfeeding Interventions, feeding supplemental foods to newborns negatively impacts their overall health as well as breastfeeding outcomes. Hence, infant formula has been excluded from the food packages given to breastfeeding mothers during the first month after delivery to encourage them to breastfeed and ensure a sufficient milk supply. Partially breastfed infants enrolled in the program are given fewer formula foods in order to provide more opportunities for mothers to breastfeed. The implementation of this program significantly increased the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers.
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Breastfeeding is a skill that is to be learned by both the mother and the infant, and hence the program educates lactating mothers about how to hold or position the baby in order to latch on effectively.
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Participants enrolled in the program can also get a supportive work environment in their companies through employee health benefits packages after childbirth.
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The WIC program partners with healthcare providers to encourage and ensure successful breastfeeding among participants.
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Studies have shown that primarily breastfed infants are at a lower risk for type 2 diabetes, non-specific gastroenteritis, severe lower respiratory tract infections, increased protection from asthma, etc.
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Studies have also suggested that breastfeeding is associated with reduced risk for type 2 diabetes, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer in lactating mothers.
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Research suggests that low-income women are less likely to initiate and sustain breastfeeding as compared to their higher-income counterparts; hence, low-income women were targeted in this program to educate and improve breastfeeding rates.
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Various social, cultural, and structural barriers faced by economically weaker sections of women, such as perinatal and postpartum support, the need to return to work, access to and education about breast pumps, etc., were addressed through the WIC program.
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Social norms regarding breastfeeding that led to an uncomfortable feeling of breastfeeding in public were analyzed from a national public opinion survey and were considered in the program.
Conclusion
Breastfeeding benefits both the mother and the infant, and the WIC program supports the parents in this initiative. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) aims to promote breastfeeding while also providing healthcare, education, and support to the low-income population. It is dedicated to encouraging the practice of breastfeeding to improve the nutritional status of infants, which in turn contributes to their normal growth and development.
