Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk

Policy Statement from Pediatrics March 2012. Read the evidence-based policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics, published in the journal Pediatrics (March 2012).

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The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Guide to Strategies to Support Breastfeeding Mothers and Babies

This document provides guidance for public health professionals and others on how to select strategies to support breastfeeding mothers and increase breastfeeding rates.

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CDC Frequently Asked Questions about Breastfeeding

Read the CDC’s answers to common concerns regarding breastfeeding recommendations.

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National WIC Association Strategic Plan

The National WIC Association encourages all WIC programs to adopt the following breastfeeding strategic goals.

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CDC Data and Statistics

The CDC gathers data to better understand behaviors, practices, and policies related to breastfeeding and breastfeeding disparities.

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National WIC Association’s Breastfeeding Resources and Advocacy

WIC promotes breastfeeding as the optimal infant feeding choice. NWA seeks to highlight WIC’s role as an advocate and resource for breastfeeding promotion and support.

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Baby Friendly USA

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative is a global program to encourage broad-scale implementation of Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding and the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes.

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Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Protocols

Provided by the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, a worldwide organization of physicians dedicated to the promotion, protection, and support of breastfeeding and human lactation.

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CDC Recommendations for Breastfeeding with Certain Conditions

What the CDC recommends for nursing mothers with HIV, influenza, breast augmentation, and other conditions.

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Breastfeeding and Zika

CDC Zika transmission facts and recommendations for breastfeeding mothers.

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Guidelines for the Care of Breastfeeding Mothers and Infants

Dr. Jane Morton demonstrates how hand expression can be taught to mothers.

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Cannabis/Marijuana Use and Pregnant & Breastfeeding Women

Research on this topic is still underway. These documents from CDPH, The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine among others, discuss the current recommendation for cannabis use while pregnant and during breastfeeding.

Health Care Providers: Refer Someone to WIC

WIC Referral Guide

Please refer to this pamphlet to learn how WIC promotes evidence-based practices. It includes information about WIC eligibility, breastfeeding support, nutrition services, and more.

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Medical Documentation

To be eligible for WIC services, all WIC participants must provide certain medical documentation, including documentation for formula for premature and medically fragile infants. This includes any special formulas and nutritionals for older children.

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WIC Referral Forms

Medical documentation is required for WIC participation. Please use this form to assist patients with WIC eligibility. The information provided will be used by WIC staff to assess your patient’s health status and provide nutritional counseling if they qualify for the program.

WIC Eligible Formulas

WIC provides contracted formulas as part of an agreement that is a federally mandated cost containment system. For infants and children who require a medically necessary (therapeutic) formula, WIC can assist the provider in obtaining certain formulas for their patients.

PHFE WIC Partners

Heluna Health

PHFE WIC is a program of Heluna Health, a national leader in providing program and support services to optimize population health. The agency offers a full range of program development, personnel, financial, and grant management support to researchers and universities, public-private consortia, government agencies, private companies, and community nonprofits that ensure the health and well-being of our communities.

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Little By Little School Readiness Program

The Little By Little School Readiness Program is an evidence-based early literacy program delivered through select WIC sites that has been proven to level the playing field on school readiness between low-income children and their higher-income peers. Little by Little strives to create a stimulating home learning environment, foster literacy, and improve school readiness for low-income, underserved children. Little by Little is a program of Heluna Health.

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National WIC Association

The National WIC Association (NWA) is the non-profit education arm and advocacy voice of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). National WIC serves over seven million mothers and young children, and the NWA represents 12,000 service provider agencies who are the front lines of WIC’s public health nutrition services for the nation’s nutritionally at-risk mothers and young children.

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California WIC Association

The California WIC Association (CWA) is a non-profit organization formed by directors of local WIC agencies to lead California communities to nourish, educate, support, and empower families in building a healthy future.

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California Department of Public Health

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) works to protect the public’s health in the Golden State and helps shape positive health outcomes for individuals, families and communities.

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Research and Data

LAWICdata.org

With the support of First5 LA, seven local agency WIC Programs, and the California WIC Program, PHFE WIC electronically aggregates data about the families it serves to address the critical gap in information about low-income families in Los Angeles County.

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Hospital Breastfeeding Rates

California continues to increase in-hospital exclusive breastfeeding rates. Click below to review data from the following three counties:

Women’s Health Projects

Gestational Weight Gain

Results of our recent study assessing the impact of receiving educational materials about gestational weight gain showed that women who received them early in their pregnancy were more likely to stay within weight gain guidelines.

Project CARE: Cease Alcohol Related Exposure

This study showed that women receiving alcohol-related screening and brief intervention during their WIC visit had healthier birth outcomes.