Journal Article

A Model for Breastfeeding Support: Think Arkansas WIC

By Gates T

Abstract

Since program inception in the 1970s, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, commonly known as WIC, has become one of the most successful nutrition intervention programs in the United States. WIC was introduced in response to medical community concerns about the impact of malnutrition among low-income pregnant women and children. Today it is not uncommon for low breastfeeding rates to be blamed on the provision of infant formula by the WIC program. Nothing could be further from the truth. Breastfeeding rates were at our nation’s lowest point before the introduction of the WIC program. Due to program requirements and recent food package changes, WIC is one of the leading promoters and supporters of breastfeeding in the nation. Nowhere is this more evident than in Arkansas WIC, where a dedicated team of breastfeeding professionals are establishing a model for breastfeeding support.

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Date Added
November 15, 2017

Citation
Gate, T 2013, 'Think Breastfeeding think Arkansas WIC', Clinical Lactation, 4, 1 pp. 17-20. Available online: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/springer/clac/2013/00000004/00000001/art00003