Foods for Infants (Birth to 12 Months)

The WIC Program strongly encourages and provides support for breastfeeding.  For babies who are not fully breastfed, iron-fortified infant formula is available for the first year of life.  The state contracts with one formula company to provide formula at a reduced price.  At six months, infants may also receive infant cereal and infant fruits and vegetables.  Infants that fully breastfeed may also receive infant meals.

 

Infants with a specific medical diagnosis may receive a special formula with a prescription from a doctor.

 

Foods for Women and Children

Pregnant and postpartum women and children (under 5 years of age) participating in WIC receive food benefits for milk, cheese, eggs, cereals, peanut butter, dry beans/peas or canned beans/peas, and fruit or vegetable juices, fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grain choices to include breads, tortillas, brown rice and oatmeal.  Women who exclusively breastfeed their babies may also receive extra food, including canned tuna fish.

 

​Sample Food Package for a child for one month:

• 3 gallons of milk

• 1 pound of cheese

• 1 dozen eggs

• 36 oz. of cereal

• 18 oz. jar of peanut butter, 16 oz. dry beans/peas or 4 cans beans/peas

• 2 bottles of 64 oz. juice

• 2 pounds whole grains (bread, tortillas, brown rice or oatmeal)

• $8.00 fresh fruits and vegetables

(Effective 2016)

 

Nutrition Education

WIC nutrition education assists WIC participants with:

• Infant and toddler feeding

• Breastfeeding (2020 Classes)

• Prenatal weight gain

• Anemia or iron deficiency

• Child growth and development and other nutrition-related health issues

 

High-Risk Nutrition Counseling

Registered Dieticians at WIC provide individualized high-risk nutrition counseling for participants with special medical conditions or nutrition-related issues.

 

Health Care Referrals

WIC works closely with the health care community, receiving referrals from private and public health care providers and providing referrals as needed for health and social services.

 

WIC refers participants for immunizations, substance abuse counseling and treatment, prenatal care, smoking cessation, lead screening, the Healthy Kids/MI Child program, MIHP, and more.

 

WIC encourages person already receiving medical services to remain under their physicians’ care.  WIC also encourages well-child visits and routine health and dental care.

 

Breastfeeding Promotion and Support

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for the first year of life.  All WIC agencies have trained personnel ready to assist mothers with the basic of breastfeeding.

 

Many WIC agencies have breastfeeding peer counselor support programs that provide mother-to-mother counseling.  In addition, WIC agencies provide educational resources and breast pumps for returning to work or school.

 

Sanilac County Peer Breastfeeding Support Services (Click for Brochure) 

 

Breastfeeding Peer Counseling

            http://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-71547_4910_4919-13925--,00.html

 

Why Is Breastfeeding Important?

            http://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-71547_4910_4919-13934--,00.html

 

Questions and Answers about Breastfeeding

            http://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-71547_4910_4919-13939--,00.html

 

WIC Helps Moms & Babies with Breastfeeding

            http://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-71547_4910_4919-13921--,00.html

 

Breastfeeding is Great for Mothers, Too

            http://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-71547_4910_4919-13937--,00.html