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

Geography: Maryland


Smoking Status and Stages of Change for Dietary Behaviors Among WIC Women

This study examines whether dietary attitudes and demographics differed, based on the smoking status among low-income women participating in a dietary intervention. Results indicated that relative to nonsmokers, current smokers reported significantly higher overall calories; higher percentages of calories from fat, sweets, and alcohol; and a lower percentage of calories from protein. Those who had never smoked and who received the dietary intervention evidenced the greatest dietary changes over time.


Long-Term Breastfeeding Support: Failing Mothers in Need

This study analyzed mothers reports of breastfeeding care experiences from pregnancy through infancy. The results showed that mothers often felt that the education and support they received was cursory and inadequate. Some mothers received misinformation or encountered practitioners who were hostile or indifferent to breastfeeding. Mothers were not often given referrals to available resources, even after reporting breastfeeding challenges.


Costs Related to Promoting Breastfeeding Among Urban Low‐Income Women

The objective of this study was to assess the costs of providing support to low-income women who breastfeed, compared with savings resulting from the intervention. The results showed that the support for breastfeeding that community health nurses and peer counselors provided was partially offset by the reduced need for medical care and formula feeding costs.


Early Postpartum: A Critical Period in Setting the Path for Breastfeeding Success

This study explored whether breastfeeding patterns during the period between birth and postnatal WIC certification differed by participation in a local WIC agency that provided breastfeeding peer counselor support (PC), versus two comparison groups: the lactation consultant (LC) and standard care (SC) groups. The breastfeeding initiation rate was higher for the PC group, compared with the LC and SC groups. Participants in the PC group were also more likely to certify as exclusively and partially breastfeeding, compared with those in the LC and SC groups.


The Differential Impact of WIC Peer Counseling Programs on Breastfeeding Initiation across the State of Maryland

This study examines Maryland's WIC breastfeeding self-reported initiation rates by participation in one of three groups: (1) peer counselor (PC-treatment) group, (2) lactation consultant (LC) group, and (3) standard care (SC) group. Results showed that the odds of breastfeeding initiation were significantly greater among PC-exposed infants, compared with the reference group of SC infants, but not significantly different between LC and the SC infants. In the Maryland WIC Program, breastfeeding initiation rates were positively associated with peer counseling.


Maryland Vendor Application Package

A Maryland Department of Health WIC publication that outlines policies and procedures for selling WIC approved foods to participants in Maryland.


CCI Resource Navigator Manual

CCI created this resource navigator training manual as part of their local work to strengthen referral networks during the CPHMC project. CCI focused on getting their WIC population to utilize […]


CCI WIC Outreach Presentation

CCI created this presentation to highlight their local work on WIC Outreach and strengthening referrals networks during the CPHMC project. This WIC 101 presentation was used to explain the program […]