WIC and Breastfeeding
Call the Knox County Health Department at 309-344-0319 to set up a WIC appointment.
What is WIC?
WIC is a food assistance program for Women, Infants, and Children. The mission of WIC is “To safeguard the health of modest income women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to healthcare.
What services does WIC provide?
WIC can provide:
Who qualifies for WIC?
How does the WIC Farmer’s Market Work?
Farmer’s Markets support local agriculture by promoting and encouraging growth of family farms. Eligible WIC program participants include pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding women, and children 1-5 years of age. Vouchers are given to participants at designated times in the year, as the Farmer’s Market is open.
Breastfeeding
Research shows that breast milk is the best food for babies. It provides many benefits, for both mother and child. Babies who are breastfed are uniquely protected from illness because only breastmilk can change to meet the needs of the baby. Breastfeeding also has many benefits for the mother and may help lower the mother’s risk for several health problems, like type 2 diabetes and certain types of breast cancer. Breast milk provides passive and likely long-lasting active immunity to babies.
Mothers in the WIC program are encouraged to breastfeed because of the benefits to both mother and baby. Some of the benefits that breastfeeding WIC mother receive are:
Breastfeeding Resources:
Nondiscrimination /Civil Rights Statement for WIC
What is WIC?
WIC is a food assistance program for Women, Infants, and Children. The mission of WIC is “To safeguard the health of modest income women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to healthcare.
What services does WIC provide?
WIC can provide:
- eWIC cards to buy healthy foods
- Information about nutrition and health to help you and your family eat well and be healthy
- Information and assistance about breastfeeding
- Help in finding health care and other services in the area
Who qualifies for WIC?
- Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or just had a baby
- Infants and children under 5 years old
- Families with low to medium income
- Refer to the income guidelines to see if you qualify or use the USDA WIC Prescreening Tool. If you are not sure, call the Knox County Health Department for assistance.
How does the WIC Farmer’s Market Work?
Farmer’s Markets support local agriculture by promoting and encouraging growth of family farms. Eligible WIC program participants include pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding women, and children 1-5 years of age. Vouchers are given to participants at designated times in the year, as the Farmer’s Market is open.
Breastfeeding
Research shows that breast milk is the best food for babies. It provides many benefits, for both mother and child. Babies who are breastfed are uniquely protected from illness because only breastmilk can change to meet the needs of the baby. Breastfeeding also has many benefits for the mother and may help lower the mother’s risk for several health problems, like type 2 diabetes and certain types of breast cancer. Breast milk provides passive and likely long-lasting active immunity to babies.
Mothers in the WIC program are encouraged to breastfeed because of the benefits to both mother and baby. Some of the benefits that breastfeeding WIC mother receive are:
- Information through counseling and educational materials
- Follow-up support with an on-site breastfeeding expert.
- Breastfeeding mothers are eligible to participate in WIC programs longer than non-breastfeeding mothers. (309-344-0319 ext. 7041)
- Mothers who feed their babies with only breastmilk receive an enhanced food package through WIC.
- Breastfeeding mothers can receive breast pumps through WIC.
- WIC recipients who breastfeed receive supplemental food in their WIC food package.
Breastfeeding Resources:
- Your Complete Guide to Breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding FAQs
- Help with Common Breastfeeding Challenges
- Breastfeeding Information A-Z
- Breastfeeding Basics for Dads
Nondiscrimination /Civil Rights Statement for WIC