WIC

Nutrition participants and family education is available to all WIC members.

New Jersey WIC encourages all women to exclusively breastfeed unless there is a medical reason for the woman or baby not to breastfeed.

A mother’s milk is tailored for her baby and important for optimum infant growth and development and the health of both mother and baby. The World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months with the gradual introduction of iron-enriched solid food in the next six months and for breastfeeding to continue at least one year and then for as long as mother and baby desire.

• International Board Certified Lactation Consultants and peer counselors (mothers who help other mothers) who can answer questions about breastfeeding and provide individual help
• Information on how to breastfeed
• A telephone number to call just for breastfeeding questions
• Breast pumps and other breastfeeding aids when needed
• Support and information to mothers who work outside the home or attend school
• Referrals to community breastfeeding mothers’ groups
• A WIC food package that provides more food for breastfeeding women whose infants do not use WIC formula and provides infant food meat for fully breastfed infants 6 through 11 months.

Hospitals with higher exclusive breastfeeding rates are more likely to have staff to help you breastfeed.

Hospitals designated as Baby-Friendly Hospitals adhere to the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.