Describe how the WIC program supports breastfeeding.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

In 1989, Congress mandated (Public Law 101–147) a specific portion of each state's WIC budget allocation to be used exclusively for the promotion and support of breastfeeding. This law authorized the use of WIC administrative funds to purchase breastfeeding aids such as breast pumps. Through this legislation, each state has a breastfeeding coordinator and a plan to coordinate operations with local agency programs for breastfeeding promotion. The WIC has always supported breastfeeding, but in 1995 it began to reposition breastfeeding as a way for a family to establish a special relationship with their child from the very onset of his or her life using a social marketing campaign called Best Start. The campaign slogan, ''Loving Support Makes Breastfeeding Work,'' capitalizes on the concept that everyone is important to women's breastfeeding success—family, friends, doctors, and the community. Campaign materials and a counseling program were developed to help mothers work through individual barriers and constraints to breastfeeding. The key messages are (1) helping women feel comfortable with breastfeeding, (2) tips on how breastfeeding can work around a busy schedule, and (3) the involvement of family and friends to make breastfeeding a successSince 1997, the Loving Support Makes Breastfeeding Work campaign has expanded to 72 state agencies, Indian tribal organizations, and territories participating at various levels.