Mission Statement:

The California WIC Program promotes, supports and protects exclusive breastfeeding for approximately the first six months of life, and continued breastfeeding for at least the first year.

All WIC staff members receive breastfeeding training, and support breastfeeding as the normal infant feeding choice. Each WIC office also has Lactation Educators with specialized breastfeeding training who provide education and support.

Breastfeeding Services:

• Prenatal breastfeeding classes

• Fathers and families welcome!

• Individual breastfeeding counseling

• WIC counselors receive specialized breastfeeding training

• Breastfeeding support by phone

• Helpline staffed by Lactation Educators

• Electric breastpump loans 

• Breastpump loans at no cost for mothers with hospitalized infants and for moms returning to work or school as available
  Manual breastpumps and pedal pumps may also be available

• Referrals to breastfeeding services

• Find out how to access support groups and other community resources

You can make plenty of Breastmilk – 5 Helpful Tips:

• Breastfeed often, at least 8 times in every 24 hours. The more you breastfeed, the more milk you will make.

• Watch your baby, not the clock.  Feed your baby at the earliest signs of hunger – moving arms and legs, sucking on hands, moving mouth.

• Make sure baby’s mouth is open wide when you put her on the breast.  She should have as much of the areola (dark part around nipple) in her mouth as possible.

• Avoid bottles and pacifiers for at least the first month.  If you give your baby a bottle or a pacifier, you will produce less milk.

• If you have any questions or concerns about breastfeeding, ask WIC or your doctor!

Contact our Breastfeeding Specialists by e-mail or phone 1-888-999-6897