Breastfeeding is important for babies, mothers, other birthing parents, and families. Many families start breast/chestfeeding but are often unable to meet their goals due to a lack of support. The Polk-Norman-Mahnomen Community Health Services WIC (PNM WIC) Program supports families before and during their infant feeding journey by talking about the importance of human milk, providing extra foods to support a lactating parent’s nutrition needs, and providing resources to help families reach their infant feeding goals.
“A support system can be key to successful breastfeeding, especially when the journey is challenging. WIC is here for families every step of the way, beginning with pregnancy,” said Tammy Conn, Breastfeeding Coordinator for PNM WIC. “We provide additional food benefits for pregnant and lactating parents, but our support goes beyond food. Whether it’s working with a WIC breastfeeding specialist, connecting with a WIC breastfeeding peer counselor, or getting connected to other resources in your community, WIC can help in so many ways.”
National Breastfeeding Month
PNM WIC and the Minnesota WIC Program is celebrating National Breastfeeding Month and World Breastfeeding Week by asking eligible families to Apply for WIC (https://redcap.health.state.mn.us/redcap/surveys/?s=LNKN377EPE) early in pregnancy and ask for advice and support early and often during their infant feeding journey for the best possible outcomes.
To celebrate World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7, the local breastfeeding support group, Mama’s Milk Connection, will have a special event, “Party at the Playground,” on August 4, 5:30-7:00 p.m., at the Tri-Valley Community Service Center (Head Start) Playground, 1407 Erskine Street, Crookston. Pregnant and breastfeeding families are welcome to enjoy a Baked Potato Bar meal, along with fun, games, and fellowship.
WIC Supports Families
The PNM WIC Program supports breastfeeding in any amount and is here for families feeding their babies with a combination of human milk and formula and families exclusively using formula. The nationwide formula recall and shortage is stressful for parents and soon-to-be parents. Ways we can help:
- Apply for WIC (https://redcap.health.state.mn.us/redcap/surveys/?s=LNKN377EPE) early in pregnancy.
- Contact a WIC breastfeeding specialist or peer counselor at PNM WIC for breastfeeding information and support. Creating a plan before birth and reaching out for help as soon as possible after birth can lead to successful breastfeeding.
- Attend Mama’s Milk Connection’s regular monthly meetings on the 3rd Thursday of the month, 6-7:00 p.m. Call 218-281-1673 for meeting information and location.
- WIC can help as parents return to work. Minnesota strengthened its law to protect pregnant and lactating parents in the workplace. Learn more about the change and other WIC Breastfeeding Resources (https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/wic/bf/morebflinks.html).
- WIC provides formula benefits to supplement breastfeeding when needed and can provide tips to increase milk supply for parents using a combination of human milk and formula.
Peer Breastfeeding Program
The Peer Breastfeeding Support Program (https://www.health.state.mn.us/docs/people/wic/localagency/reports/bf/info/2022peer.pdf) is available to serve 15% more WIC families statewide this year with four new programs. Some existing peer programs expanded capacity this year as well. The program features parents with personal experience breastfeeding their own children, who are recruited from the communities they serve and trained to help WIC participants with common breastfeeding issues. Polk-Norman-Mahnomen WIC families have been offered a breastfeeding Peer Counselor since 2016. Early in the pregnancy is the perfect time for the mom and the peer to start the conversation about breastfeeding. The peer can share educational tips about breastfeeding along her journey. It becomes easy to talk/text your friend, ask questions, and share successes while getting support along the way.
Additional WIC statistics
- In 2021, MN WIC served more than 1 in 3 (37%) of all infants born in Minnesota.
- Breastfeeding initiation rates have declined among Minnesota WIC families from 2020 to 2021, dropping from 81.1% in February 2020 to 77.4% in August 2021.
- Additional information and data are available in the Minnesota WIC Facts 2022 (https://www.health.state.mn.us/docs/people/wic/localagency/reports/pptndemo/wicfacts/0622.pdf) and Breastfeeding Among Minnesota WIC Participants During COVID-19 (https://www.health.state.mn.us/docs/people/wic/localagency/reports/bf/covid19.pdf)
For more information on breastfeeding, the PNM WIC program, or Mama’s Milk Connection, contact Polk County WIC at 218-281-1673 or Norman Mahnomen Public Health at 218-784-5425
