1. How to talk to WIC Participants about breastfeeding
Susan Niedzielski, IBCLC
Janice VanValkenburg, IBCLC
2016

2. Agenda Policy Prenatal period Hospital Experience Early Weeks
Concerns, Questions

3. Policy Breastfeeding: It’s what we do!
All WIC staff recognize that breastfeeding is the normal method for feeding infants, unless contraindicated for medical reasons. Section 1223 of the WIC Program Manual
WICSIS data entry

4. Prenatal Period Answer questions/dispel myths
Promote peers, groups, classes, including child birth
Make sure participants know where to get help.
Take the time to develop rapport
The first 3 weeks are the hardest. After 6 weeks it starts getting easier. By 3 months you feel sorry for moms who have to make formula

5. Sample phrases

6. The birth experience It’s the birth, silly
The Hospital Experience NYS DOH handout #4347
Know your OB’s – what is their opinion of birth plans?
Hand expression

7. Sample phrases

8. Early days / weeks Belly size Diaper log
Practice - Practice – Practice
Have help/support-peer, family, friends, pediatrician
Get help at the first sign of problem/pain
Reinforce we are here to help
Don’t wait for participants to call you

9. Milk production Milk/feeding Baby’s stomach size
Total milk production/24 hours
Week 1
tsp to 1-1 ½ oz
Marble
1 oz to 10/12 oz
Weeks 2-3
2 – 3 oz
Ping pong ball
20 – 25 oz
Weeks 3-4
3 – 4 oz
Egg or baby fist
25-35 oz

10. Sample phrases

11. Concerns / Questions Engorgement Latch
Need to be comfortable observing a feeding
Real vs perceived supply issues
Developmental spurts
When to yield

12. Sample phrases

13. Remember:
A healthy pregnancy leads to a healthy/easier birth experience which leads to an easier breastfeeding experience which leads to healthier mothering which leads to healthier/happier children.
You are influencing generations