>>I've heard that in the past few years the WIC program has increased their
>>drive to promote breast feeding among its participants.  Can you provide
>>me with more details?

Yes, breastfeeding promotion and support are a vital part of the WIC
Program, so if you are hearing that promotion/support efforts are
increasing, it's probably because they are.  As a former state WIC
breastfeeding coordinator, this issue is near and dear to my heart.

If you have not read Marsha Walker's article on WIC breastfeeding
promotion/support efforts in the May issue of Journal of Human Lactation, I
encourage you to do so.  Marsha really did her homework, and accurately
captures the "big picture" of WIC's phenomenal support programs, while also
making recommendations for continued improvements needed.  It is important
to note that the highest increases in breastfeeding initiation rates over
the past 10 years have been among women on WIC.  A La Leche League leader
once told me she dreamed of the day when non-WIC mothers could have access
to the same kind of support and help that WIC mothers are able to receive.

I am very excited about USDA's most recently breastfeeding project, a
fabulous community-based program called "Using Loving Support to Build a
Breastfeeding-Friendly Community."   This collaborative effort between USDA,
Best Start Social Marketing, and the Mississippi Department of Health,
builds on the success of the national WIC breastfeeding campaign, "Loving
Support Makes Breastfeeding Work," and includes an intensive 2-day training
program for WIC staff and community partners, ongoing technical assistance,
and funding for 8 selected states to implement a community-based
breastfeeding program.  The states selected through a grant application
process include: Vermont, Maine, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Iowa, Wisconsin,
Missouri, and Alaska. Recently, the Office on Women's Health (Department of
Health and Human Services) worked out a cooperative agreement with USDA to
fund an additional 4 states.

The training team hits the road beginning next month.  We are very excited
about the opportunity, and are anxious to see the difference it will make
for WIC moms and babies,

Cathy Carothers, BLA, IBCLC
[log in to unmask]
(601) 372-9529 (home office)

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