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Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is one of the most important gifts you can give your baby. Breastfeeding provides many health, nutritional, emotional, and economic benefits to mothers and babies. Babies who are breastfed have reduced risk for numerous health conditions, including asthma, ear and respiratory infections, and allergies. Babies who are breastfed also have lower lifetime risk for health conditions such as obesity and cardiovascular disease. Mothers who breastfeed for at least six months reduce their risk for Type II diabetes, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. The longer a woman breastfeeds during her lifetime, the more her risk is reduced.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Healthy People 2030 establishes objectives to improve the health and safety of infants, including increasing exclusive infant breastfeeding through 6 months old and increasing breastfeeding throughout a child's first year.
WIC Supports Breastfeeding
A major goal of the WIC Program is to improve the nutritional status of infants. The Alabama WIC Program encourages WIC mothers to choose breastfeeding in the following ways:
- WIC staff complete comprehensive training to assist breastfeeding mothers with prevention and management of common breastfeeding challenges.
- WIC mothers receive breastfeeding information and support during pregnancy and throughout each stage of the breastfeeding journey to help them meet their breastfeeding goals.
NEW! Alabama WIC participants now have free, unlimited access to expert infant feeding support, anytime - days, nights, weekends, and holidays. Pacify is an app that instantly connects users to a nationwide network of International Board Certified Lactation Consultants. WIC participants can contact their local Alabama WIC clinic or call the Alabama WIC Program state office toll free at 888-WIC-HOPE (888-942-4673) for assistance with enrolling in Pacify.
- Breastfeeding mothers are eligible to participate in WIC longer than non-breastfeeding mothers.
- Mothers who exclusively breastfeed receive a larger amount and variety of foods.
- Breast pumps and other breastfeeding items may be provided, based upon established issuance criteria and availability, to help WIC mothers start and continue breastfeeding for as long as possible.
- To help strengthen the network of breastfeeding support, the Alabama WIC Breastfeeding Resource Guide lists community breastfeeding resources by county and is updated annually. Individuals and organizations that provide breastfeeding support may use the attached form to submit information for the 2023 Guide.
Breastfeeding Basics and Beyond
One of the most common reasons mothers give for stopping breastfeeding earlier than planned is a concern about low milk production. During pregnancy, hormones prepare a mother's breasts to produce milk. During the first hours after delivery, mothers can use simple strategies, the "ABC's of breastfeeding," to set the stage for abundant milk production.
Finding comfortable nursing positions that work well for moms and babies can make the early weeks much easier. “Natural Breastfeeding” is a simple approach to finding comfortable nursing positions that allow baby to nurse effectively, while reducing common challenges like painful latch and sore nipples.
“It’s Only Natural” has information, videos, and practical tips for African-American women and their families about the health benefits of breastfeeding — not just for babies, but for moms too.
“New Little Life” is the YouTube channel of Allison Tolman, IBCLC – a breastfeeding mom herself whose honest insights on all things breastfeeding, particularly breast pumps and pumping, are both informative and entertaining.
"Setting Your Breastfeeding Goals" – helps you to take breastfeeding day-by-day and celebrates the little successes and milestones between your baby's birth and first birthday.
Relactation
Relactation is the process of re-establishing lactation after having stopped for some time and can also refer to increasing milk supply after a decrease in breastfeeding has occurred – a mother might have stopped breastfeeding earlier than planned or mother and infant might have been separated because of illness, resulting in reduced milk supply.
The process to relactate or build back a declining milk supply requires time and dedication. Not all mothers will be able to establish a full milk supply through relactation. Infants must continue to receive adequate nutrition while mothers work to relactate or build milk supply. As breast milk supply increases, it may be possible to reduce or discontinue formula feedings; however, infant growth should be carefully monitored during the transition.
WIC participants can contact their WIC clinic for help with developing a plan that supports achievement of relactation goals, establishes realistic expectations, and safeguards infant growth. Below are some relactation resources that parents may find helpful.
Breastfeeding Frequently Asked Questions
nutritional needs, weight gain, and latch, and they can suggest techniques to help increase breast milk supply, if needed.
Page last updated: March 23, 2023