WIC Research, Policy and Practice Hub WIC Research, Policy and Practice Hub

Month: March 2018

Are US Mothers Meeting the Healthy People 2010 Breastfeeding Targets for Initiation, Duration, and Exclusivity? The 2003 and 2004 National Immunization Surveys

The authors analyzed data from the 2003 and 2004 National Immunization Surveys to determine the characteristics of groups meeting the Healthy People 2010 breastfeeding targets. The results indicated that Hispanic children, children of college graduates, and children living in the western part of the country consistently had higher odds of breastfeeding.

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children and Infant Feeding Practices

This study examines the association between a mothers participation in the WIC Program and adherence to four American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations on infant feeding. WIC participants were 8.5 percentage points less likely than non-participants to adhere to the AAP recommendation to delay introduction of infant formula until month 6. However, the difference between participants and non-participants disappeared by month 6.

Breastfeeding Patterns in a Community of Native Hawaiian Mothers Participating in WIC

The study aimed to understand the disparity in the breastfeeding initiation rates among Native Hawaiian (64%) and Hawaiian WIC participants (89%). The results indicated that mothers exclusively breastfeeding at initiation weaned significantly later and were significantly more likely to breastfeed for 6 months, than were mothers who partially breastfed.

Breastfeeding Attitudes and Reported Problems in a National Sample of WIC Participants

The WIC Infant-Feeding Practices Study was a nationally representative 1-year longitudinal study of WIC participants that obtained information about attitudes regarding infant feeding and infant-feeding practices. Results indicated that all ethnic groups were concerned about insufficient milk. Hispanic mothers were more likely to agree with the statements about the benefits of breastfeeding. Black mothers were more likely to agree with statements about barriers. These results could help inform a redesign of the WIC breastfeeding promotion campaign.

A Qualitative Evaluation of a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program

The purpose of this study was to identify the program strengths, operational procedures, and improvement areas from participants; and peer counselors ; perspectives. Findings revealed that peer counselors and participants were satisfied with the quality of services for both emotional and practical assistance, as well as with the breast pumps.

Lower Breastfeeding Rates Persist Among the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Participants, 1978–2003

The aim of this study was to compare rates of breastfeeding between women who participated in the WIC Program with those who did not, from 1978 to 2003. Results showed that breastfeeding rates among WIC participants lagged behind those of non-WIC mothers for the past 25 years. Food package and programmatic changes are needed to enhance WIC participants incentives to breastfeed.

The Milk of Human Kindness: Environmental and Human Interactions in a WIC Clinic That Influence Infant-Feeding Decisions of Black Women

This study explored the context of black women's infant-feeding decisions in an urban WIC clinic. The study revealed that the availability of free formula facilitated bottle-feeding choices. However, incorporating personalized breastfeeding promotion and building a trusting relationship with WIC providers encouraged breastfeeding decisions for almost half of the key informants.