Breastfeeding

WIC recognizes breastfeeding as the ideal nutrition for infants - the best practice is to breastfeed your baby for at least one year. The benefits of breastfeeding for your child include:

  • Developing a unique mother-child bond
  • Protecting your baby from illness
  • Providing the perfect food for your baby

WIC provides breastfeeding information, support, and counseling to mothers during pregnancy. After delivery, our Certified Lactation Counselors continue to assist mothers and babies to successfully breastfeed. No appointment is necessary. For moms who breastfeed, WIC provides extra nutritious foods. Plus, if you return to work or school, breast pumps may be available.

Better for Your Baby

  • Easy to digest and full of the nutrients your baby needs
  • Helps develop healthy attachment between mother and child
  • Lowers the risk of your baby developing allergies
  • Lowers your baby's risk of having diabetes, asthma, and cancer
  • Protects your baby from getting sick and helps prevent ear infections
  • Protects your baby from obesity

Better for You

  • Helps you lose weight - breastfeeding burns 500 to 700 calories a day
  • Protects you from iron deficiency and helps you feel stronger
  • Reduces your risk of getting cancer, including breast, uterine, ovarian, and endometrial cancers
  • Reduces your risk of osteoporosis
  • Saves you hundreds of dollars that you would have to spend on formula

Benefits of Breastfeeding

There are many benefits to breastfeeding. Some are more beneficial to the mother, while others are more important to the baby. Benefits include:

  • Breastfed babies are less likely to be overfed.
  • Breastfeeding causes the mother's uterus to contract. This helps her body return to its pre-pregnancy shape.
  • Breastfeeding generally costs less than commercial formulas.
  • Breastfeeding may help a mother return to her pre-pregnancy weight sooner.
  • Breastfeeding may help protect the mother against breast and ovarian cancer.
  • Breastfeeding promotes a close mother-baby bond.
  • Breastfeeding promotes good jaw and tooth development.
  • Breastfeeding requires no special preparation.
  • Breastmilk has many special substances that protect against infection.
  • Breastmilk is easy to digest and is gentle on the baby's stomach.
  • Breastmilk is fresh, clean and at the right temperature.
  • Breastmilk is the least allergic of any food for a baby.
  • Breastmilk is nutritionally superior to any alternative.
  • Since there are usually no containers to wash, heat or dispose of with breastmilk, breastfeeding may have a positive environmental impact.

Helpful Resources

For more information or immediate assistance with breastfeeding questions email the Cascade City-county WIC Program or call at 406-454-6953.