WIC Food Package

Food-Package Assignments and Breastfeeding Initiation Before and After a Change in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children

After the change, fewer WIC mothers of new infants received the partial breastfeeding package. More WIC mothers received the full breastfeeding package, but more mothers also received the full formula package

Comparison of Food Intake Among Infants and Toddlers Participating in a South Central Texas WIC Program Reveals Some Improvements After WIC Package Changes

Breastfeeding initiation, breastfeeding duration, age of introduction of complementary foods, and exposures to baby food fruits, vegetables, and meats among infants did not improve after the package changes. Significantly fewer infants received cereal in their bottles and fewer toddlers consumed vegetables and eggs after the package changes.

The Impact of the 2009 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Food Package Revisions on Participants: A Systematic Review

The review demonstrated an improved dietary intake and an increase in the availability of healthier foods and beverages in authorized WIC stores. The revised food package was also associated with improved dietary intake of WIC participants. Mixed results were demonstrated in regard to improved breastfeeding outcomes.

Impact of Policy Changes on Overweight Rates Among Low-Income Children Participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Issuance rates of the "fully breastfeeding" package at infant WIC enrollment increased by 86% with the package changes. Rates also increased significantly for 2- and 6-month-old infants. Issuance rates of packages that included formula decreased significantly.

Predictors of Obesity in a Cohort of Children Enrolled in WIC as Infants and Retained to 3 Years of Age

Substitution of flavored milk has the potential to reduce energy and total and saturated fat intake with no impact on diet costs or micronutrient density.

Impact of Policy Changes on Infant Feeding Decisions Among Low-Income Women Participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children

Training of front-line WIC staff, and participant education influenced issuance rates of WIC food packages. In California, the issuance rates of packages that include formula have significantly decreased and the rate for those that include no formula has significantly increased.

The New Food Package and Breastfeeding Outcomes Among Women, Infants, and Children Participants in Los Angeles County

The new food package can improve breastfeeding outcomes in a population at high risk for negative breastfeeding outcomes.

How Increasing WIC Breastfeeding Rates Will Affect WIC Expenditures: Saving Money While Meeting the Goals of Healthy People 2020

This report analyzes the cost structure of WIC food packages in relation to breastfeeding

Nudging More Women to Breastfeed: Impact of Public Health Policy Changes

Both the intensive breastfeeding training of WIC staff and the structural changes to the WIC food packages were associated with more breastfeeding and less formula use by low-income mothers. It is especially important to note that significant improvements occurred before the policy actually changed, reflecting the value of investing in intensive training for frontline WIC staff.

Promotion of Exclusive Breastfeeding in Low-Income Families by Improving the WIC Food Package for Breastfeeding Mothers

The report provides suggestions to improving breastfeeding rates for WIC participants by improving the WIC packages