Louisiana WIC Breastfeeding Program

Research has proven that there is no better food other than breast milk for a baby's first year of life. The experience of breastfeeding provides joyful bonding, cost savings and health benefits for both mother and baby.

One of the primary goals of the Louisiana WIC program is to improve the health status of infants by encouraging WIC mothers to breastfeed their infants. Since its beginning in 1974, the WIC program continues to promote breastfeeding as the optimal feeding choice for most infants.

The gift of breastfeeding will provide a healthy start to your baby's life.  In support of breastfeeding, the Louisiana WIC Program provides:

  • Breastfeeding help and support at WIC clinics
  • Prenatal breastfeeding education support
  • Individual breastfeeding education for participants
  • Group breastfeeding education for participants
  • Healthy WIC Food Packages
  • Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program
  • Breast pump support - Free hospital-grade pumps and personal electric pumps
  • Certified Lactation Consultants
  • Partners for Health Baby Support Line 1-800-251-BABY
  • Lactation rooms at most WIC sites

Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program

The Peer Counseling Program provides an essential support system for mothers to help meet their breastfeeding goals and to achieve success. Peer counselors provide a valuable service to their communities by addressing the barriers to breastfeeding through offering breastfeeding education, support and role modeling. All peer counselors are also mothers, many recruited by the Louisiana Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC). They have personal experience with breastfeeding and are trained to provide basic breastfeeding information and support to other mothers with whom they share various characteristics, such as language, race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status.

For more information about the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program, click here. 

Common Questions and Concerns of Breastfeeding Mothers

  • Your doctor may recommend breastfeeding for the first year of your baby's life.
  • Any amount of breastfeeding is better than none.
  • It's a good idea to talk about breastfeeding with your health care provider before you have your baby.
  • This way you can have a good idea of what to expect.
  • When you arrive at the hospital, tell the nurses that you plan to breastfeed.
  • Ask them to not feed your baby formula and to avoid giving a pacifier.
  • Being close with your baby as soon as possible after delivery gets breastfeeding off to the best start.
  • Ask the hospital staff for help with putting your baby to the breast as soon as possible after delivery.
  • Some hospitals place your baby on your stomach in the delivery room.
  • Believe it or not, your baby will naturally crawl to your breast and begin feeding.
  • Keep baby in your room during the day and night so you can feed often.
  • It takes a few days for baby and mom to get used to each other so be patient
  • Practice makes perfect
  • You may have tender nipples in the first few days, but soreness and pain should not be part of the breastfeeding process.
  • If you experience these, you need to get some help.
  • Most often it is a simple matter of changing baby's feeding position.
  • Until you and your baby get to know each other, it may take some practice for your baby to learn to latch on and nurse easily.
  • Contact your WIC clinic or peer counselor for help
  • Feeding often is the way to build your milk supply.
  • Newborn babies will want to eat every 2 to 3 hours or 8 to 12 times in 24 hours.
  • In the beginning, feedings will last about 30 minutes.
  • Nursing for as long and as often as baby wants is important.
  • Your breasts will adjust to make the amount of milk your baby wants and needs.
  • Your baby may nurse more often during growth spurts and your body will adjust to increase your milk supply.
  • Breastfeeding does not have to end because you want to go back to work or school.
  • You can do what works best for you.
  • Many mothers pump their breastmilk and store it in bottles when they return to work or school.
  • These should be kept in the refrigerator or freezer for use when you can't be there.

Surgeon General Ralph L. Abraham, M.D.

Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein

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