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Breastfeeding
During pregnancy, each woman must decide how she will feed her infant. At WIC, our nutritionists educate moms about the value of breast milk for their babies and give them tips to get started successfully. While breastfeeding is a natural process, many new moms feel more comfortable nursing their babies after they have learned what to expect once their infant is born.
Breast milk is a complete source of nutrition for an infant. It is biologically designed for the unique developmental and changing needs of an infant.
Breastfeeding also provides these benefits for the baby:
Breast milk is a complete source of nutrition for an infant. It is biologically designed for the unique developmental and changing needs of an infant.
Breastfeeding also provides these benefits for the baby:
- Boosts infant's immune system, helping protect against colds and infections
- Reduces the risk of allergies
- Promotes early brain development
- Lowers the risk of diabetes, heart disease and obesity later in life
- Develops a strong emotional bond, enabling baby to feel comfortable in their new world
Breastfeeding helps new moms to:
New mothers at WIC are able to ask individual questions which help them to
Breast pumps are also available for WIC mothers who would like to pump their milk to supply to their infants. Manual or double electric pumps are available to women who are returning to work or school, had a premature birth, or will be separated from their infants for other reasons. Read more about renting breast pumps.
Encouraging new mothers to breastfeed their babies is a top priority at WIC! According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, fully breastfeeding a baby for the first six months of life gives the baby the healthiest start possible. Breastfeeding for the first year of life with the addition of age-appropriate foods at 6 months is recommended. WIC works hard to help our breastfeeding mothers reach that goal.
American Academy of Pediatrics Breastfeeding information
Breastfeeding Resource Center
La Leche League International
Le Leche League of Chester County
New Mother's Resource Guide
WIC Breastfeeding Support Services
Women's Health & Breastfeeding
- Lose their baby weight
- Strengthen bones
- Lower the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
New mothers at WIC are able to ask individual questions which help them to
- know what to expect the first days after birth
- understand how baby should be positioned for comfortable nursing
- have confidence that their baby is breastfeeding well
Breast pumps are also available for WIC mothers who would like to pump their milk to supply to their infants. Manual or double electric pumps are available to women who are returning to work or school, had a premature birth, or will be separated from their infants for other reasons. Read more about renting breast pumps.
Encouraging new mothers to breastfeed their babies is a top priority at WIC! According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, fully breastfeeding a baby for the first six months of life gives the baby the healthiest start possible. Breastfeeding for the first year of life with the addition of age-appropriate foods at 6 months is recommended. WIC works hard to help our breastfeeding mothers reach that goal.
Links
American Academy of Pediatrics Breastfeeding information
Breastfeeding Resource Center
La Leche League International
Le Leche League of Chester County
New Mother's Resource Guide
WIC Breastfeeding Support Services
Women's Health & Breastfeeding