Why Breastfeed?

Free breastfeeding support.

In addition to providing free healthy foods, WIC also provides new mothers breastfeeding education and support—for as long as your child continues to breastfeed. Why is feeding important? It is the healthiest option for both mom and baby.

WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor.

WIC is passionate about supporting families in feeding their babies. If you are a WIC participant and are experiencing difficulty or have questions about breastfeeding, your local WIC office offers information and free, personalized breastfeeding support. Whether you’re just starting out on your breastfeeding journey or having unexpected challenges, WIC is there to help you every step of the way.

We want you to have a happy, healthy baby, and a good breastfeeding experience, and our WIC peer counselors can help. Our peer counselors are mothers in the community with personal breastfeeding experience who give information and support to new moms.

Your peer counselor will mentor, coach, and support you with:

Basic information about breastfeeding
Ideas on how your family and friends can support you
Ways to get a good start with breastfeeding
Tips for a healthy supply of breast milk for your baby
Answers to your breastfeeding concerns
Tips on how to breastfeed comfortably, even in public
Advice to help you stick with breastfeeding after you return to work or school

You can even reach some peer counselors outside of WIC clinic hours and locations. We know breastfeeding questions can happen anytime, anywhere.

For more information, call (855) 942-4622 for Washington and (855) 942-9420 for Oregon.

The benefits of breastfeeding.

Breast milk is the best food for babies
Provides bonding time for you and your baby
Produces antibodies specific to the baby’s needs that help keep your baby healthy and fight off illness
Reduces your baby’s risk of asthma, obesity, ear infections, digestive problems, and diabetes
Lowers the child’s risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Lowers the mother’s risk of diabetes, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer
Saves money: no need to buy formula and bottles, and fewer doctor visits because of illness

Learn about WIC

Learning to breastfeed.

Take a breastfeeding class before your baby is born
Check that where you plan to deliver has the staff and set up to support successful breastfeeding
Talk to your WIC nutrition specialist about your decision to breastfeed prior to delivery
Breastfeed your baby as soon as possible after birth—the sucking instinct is very strong at this time
Cuddle with your baby using skin-to-skin contact
Make sure you and your baby are both comfortable and relaxed during breastfeeding

Get Started Today