FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: August 10 2023
Contact: Jon Ebelt, Communications Director, DPHHS, (406) 444-0936, (406) 461-3757
jebelt@mt.gov
August is National Breastfeeding Month Reminding New or Expecting Parents to Take Advantage of WIC
The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) reminds new parents of the benefits of breastfeeding and the support the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) program provides, including special food packages, peer counseling, lactation experts, breastfeeding aids such as breast pumps, food packages, extended participation in the program, access to trained staff, and other resources and referrals.
“As part of the WIC program, moms receive nutritious food packages including milk, juice, cereal, eggs, fruits and vegetables, whole wheat bread and other whole grains, canned fish, beans, peanut butter, and cheese,” said Lacy Little, director of the WIC program. “WIC's goal is to support parents in their breastfeeding journey.”
Parents are encouraged to breastfeed their infants unless directed otherwise by their healthcare provider. WIC staff are trained to promote breastfeeding and provide the necessary support new families need to succeed. State WIC and local agencies work to ensure breastfeeding support and assistance is provided throughout the prenatal and postpartum period when families are the most likely to need help.
According to the CDC, 83.5% of Montana children were ever breastfed, with 63.9% still breastfeeding at six months. This is slightly above the national average.
Breastfeeding parents and their infants can participate in WIC for up to one year after giving birth. Parents who do not get infant formula from WIC receive more food and a better variety than those receiving infant formula. When babies are 6-12 months old, these families also get baby food meats in addition to greater amounts of infant fruits and vegetables.
“Breastfeeding has many benefits for parents and their babies,” said Little. “We want families across the state to know that WIC is here to help make breastfeeding a little bit easier.”
Breastfeeding benefits include:
- Providing nutrition to help babies grow and develop.
- Lowers mothers’ risk of certain cancers and diabetes.
- Cost savings to families because breastmilk is free.
- Reduces baby’s risk of certain diseases and infections.
- Helps moms recover more quickly from childbirth.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommend exclusive breastfeeding for about the first six months with continued breastfeeding, along with appropriate complementary foods for up to two years of age or older. Sixty percent of mothers do not breastfeed for as long as they intend to for various reasons. For tips on breastfeeding and other support, go to https://wicbreastfeeding.fns.usda.gov.
WIC in Montana includes 35 local agencies and over 80 clinic sites serving all 56 counties and seven tribal reservations. In Montana, almost 14,000 women, infants, and children are enrolled. However, only 55% of eligible families are signed up.
WIC eligibility requires participants to be pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, or have a child younger than five. Participants must also meet income requirements—making less than 185% of the Federal Poverty Level or qualify for Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, or free/reduced school meal program. Specific WIC eligibility guidelines can be found on the DPHHS website.
WIC was created in 1974 to help families and young children during a critical time of growth and development. The program’s benefits include providing families access to healthy food, breastfeeding education, referral to other health and social services, and much more. WIC is a voluntary program, and participation does not interfere with other programs like SNAP or Medicaid.
To learn more about WIC or find out if you are eligible, go to www.dphhs.mt.gov/ecfsd/wic/index. Families can also contact their local WIC clinic or visit signupwic.com. The state office may be reached at 1-800-433-4298 or emailed at montanawicprogram@mt.gov.