Many people have probably heard the term "WIC," but may not quite grasp all it entails. WIC stands for Women, Infants and Children and is a program designed to assist low-income pregnant women, babies and children up to age 5, ensuring that kids get the best possible start in life. Dads, grandparents and foster parents can also apply for the WIC program if they are the child's primary caregiver.

WIC helps families eat well and stay healthy. Clients receive access to healthy foods, nutrition and breastfeeding education, and healthcare access and referrals. At visits, clients may see the following staff:

• Eligibility and Enrollment Specialists (EES) provide clinic support via answering phones, scheduling appointments, answering questions, issuing benefits and determining income eligibility. They also measure clients’ height, weight, head circumference and iron level.
• Registered Dietitians (RD) provide a health assessment of the growth parameters and a diet assessment. The RD sets goals for each person, and tailors the food benefits to match the family’s needs. For participants who are at high risk due to a medical condition, RDs provide an individualized in-depth assessment, care plan and follow-up. The RDs also make referrals to other services including medical care, dental care, family planning, immunizations, transportation, housing, drug or alcohol treatment, family violence prevention and food stamp benefits. These referrals help to streamline services, best serving the clients while also saving time and money.
• Breastfeeding Peer Counselors provide one-on-one breastfeeding education and referral to a Lactation Consultant for specialized care if needed. They also provide support over the phone via our Breastfeeding Warm Line, and in person education and group classes.

Quality nutrition services are the centerpiece of WIC. Funds are placed on a WIC client’s electronic benefits transfer card, which can be used to purchase nutritious foods such as low-fat dairy, peanut butter, beans, canned fish, whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables. This program helps decrease food insecurity and contributes to healthy diets, aiding in reducing obesity and chronic disease. In addition, the program supports local economies and businesses where WIC benefits are accepted.

Important facts about WIC in Washtenaw County:

• There are five WIC clinic locations in Washtenaw County. The main office has evening appointments two days each week!
• WIC serves an average of 5,700 clients each month in Washtenaw County.
• Washtenaw County WIC ranks fourth in Michigan for highest breastfeeding rates and duration among WIC moms.
• In 2012, WIC participants spent more than $3.4 million in food dollars at Washtenaw County stores and supermarkets.
• For more information or to schedule a WIC appointment, call 734-544-6800.

WIC is cost effective in protecting the health and nutrition status of women, infants and children. WIC has been shown to:

• reduce fetal deaths and infant mortality
• reduce low birth weight rates and increase the duration of pregnancy
• improve children's growth and intellectual development
• improve dietary intake of pregnant and postpartum women and improve weight gain in pregnancy
• improve breastfeeding and immunization rates

August is World Breastfeeding Month: WIC Breastfeeding Success Stories

"Breastfeeding my son has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. We got off to a rocky start because he had tongue tie. I learned from my WIC Lactation Consultant that babies with tongue tie may be unable to properly breastfeed. Unresolved, it can lead to nipple pain and damage, inadequate milk supply, and slow weight gain, or failure-to-thrive in the infant. Thanks to WIC for all the referrals in getting this problem resolved. I could not have done this without that constant support, encouragement and empowerment. My son is now over 7 months old and is breastfeeding exclusively; he weighs 20 pounds and is about 27 inches in length. He is the picture perfect example of a healthy breastfed baby!"

-WIC Client

A WIC family we worked with were recent Chinese immigrants. Mom had tried to breastfeed her first child in China. However, the hospitals in the area of China where they lived had a practice of keeping newborn infants for one month and formula feeding them, making breastfeeding quite difficult. During his wife's second pregnancy, dad saw a breastfeeding promotion poster in our WIC lobby that touted the higher IQ of breastfed infants. He decided that day they should try to breastfeed the new baby full time. Fast forward a few months and the new baby was 2 weeks old and not latching on. Mom had been hand expressing or using a manual pump and dad or Grandma fed the baby with a bottle. Since the father's English was limited and mom didn't speak any English, staff called Language Line to better communicate and try to work through this issue. Breastfeeing Peer Counselors Erica McLeod and Pauline Lesser were also called in to help. After a bit of frustration on baby and mom's part, staff were able to assist in having the baby latch on successfully. Mom was smiling and so happy! Dad was so happy that she would be able to breastfeed and not have to exclusively pump.

- Rebecca Dawson, R.D., WIC Nutritionist

As a WIC Registered Dietitian and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, it is so rewarding to see moms successfully breastfeed their babies. According to one teen mom, “I had no idea how good breastfeeding was for me and my baby. My WIC staff helped me understand the benefits as well as taught me how to get breastfeeding off to a good start.” She continued, saying, “If it wasn’t the WIC staff, I would not have considered breastfeeding my baby.”

Mom delivered her beautiful baby girl and began breastfeeding. However, she stated that her doctor recommended her to supplement the baby with formula after each breastfeeding, as he was worried that the baby lost too much weight and was still jaundiced. Mom followed the doctor’s recommendation and started feeding her 3-day-old baby with formula. During her WIC visit when her baby was 5 days old, WIC staff observed the breastfeeding, weighed baby before and after feeding and estimated that the baby ate about 4 ounces of milk based on the weight gain. “I was very excited and reassured to hear that my baby is latching well and expressing milk,” mom stated. Baby is now 3 months old and is exclusively breastfeeding. Mom states, “I could not have done this without that constant support, encouragement and empowerment that I received from my WIC Staff!”

-Gayathri Akella, RD, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant

Beckey Ginbey is the Washtenaw County Public Health Department's WIC Supervisor. She can be reached at ginbeyb@ewashtenaw.org or 734-544-6889.

Washtenaw County Public Health promotes health and works to prevent disease and injury in our community. Visit us online at http://publichealth.ewashtenaw.org.