The Florida WIC program promotes and supports breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is a normal part of mothers and babies being together. To get off to a good start, learn all you can about breastfeeding during your pregnancy.
Benefits of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding has a lot of health benefits for both mom and baby:
- Infants who are breastfed have a lower risk of developing ear infections, asthma, respiratory infections, diarrhea and vomiting, childhood obesity, eczema, type 2 diabetes, childhood leukemia, and sudden infant death syndrome.
- For mothers, breastfeeding can help you recover more quickly from childbirth, and reduce your risk for high blood pressure, certain breast and ovarian cancers, type 2 diabetes, and may help you lose weight after childbirth.
Breastfeeding Your Baby
Learn the basics of breastfeeding and how you can nurture your baby’s future.
Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program
Breastfeeding peer counselors assist mothers by providing their personal breastfeeding experience and local expertise that can help mothers achieve their own infant feeding goals. A WIC peer counselor can give you:
- Tips for how to breastfeed comfortably and discreetly, even in public
- Ways you can stay close to your baby through breastfeeding after you return to work or school
- Ideas for getting support from your family and friends
- Secrets for making plenty of breast milk for your baby
- Help with breastfeeding concerns, such as sore nipples and engorgement
- Shows you how to get more help from other health care professionals, if needed
For more information on peer counseling, contact 813-496-BABY (2229).
International Board Certified Lactation Consultants
Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) provide specialized consults including:
- Latch assist
- Preterm infant breastfeeding
- Methods for improving milk supply
- Nipple pain relief
- Information on medications and breastfeeding
Breast Pump Loan Program
Electric breast pumps are available to qualified breastfeeding mothers. The breastfeeding support staff with determine if you qualify for an electric breast pump.
Breastfeeding Classes
Breastfeeding classes are available to WIC clients for FREE! The class covers a wide range of topics related to breastfeeding including:
- Positioning and Latching at the breast
- Myths and concerns of breastfeeding
- How breastfeeding works
Resources
- Hillsborough County Breastfeeding Support Resource List: Find additional resources in the community beyond WIC.
- 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding: Learn about the different ways hospitals and medical providers can support mothers to breastfeed.
- Breastfeeding Your Baby / Breastfeeding When You’re Going Back to Work or School: To get off to a good start, learn all you can about breastfeeding during your pregnancy.