The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) supports and promotes breastfeeding as the optimal way to feed infants.  Breastmilk is recognized as the healthiest source of nutrition for infants.  The New Hampshire WIC Program has implemented a variety of breastfeeding promotion and education initiatives to improve the rates of breastfeeding incidence and duration among mothers enrolled in WIC. 

Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program

The goal of Breastfed is Bestfed:  An 18 Hour Basics of Breastfeeding and Beyond Course, is to train interested WIC mothers as breastfeeding peer counselors at local WIC agencies statewide.  Training is provided by a certified lactation consultant and includes advantages of breastfeeding, medications, counseling, common breastfeeding problems, special circumstances and milk collection and storage.  Currently, there are approximately 22 peer counselors who provide breastfeeding promotion and support at WIC clinics, telephone contacts, home visits, hospital visits and including education on the use of manual and electric breast pumps.  To date over 140 peer counselors have been trained through this program.  The Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program also trains professionals working in the field, providing them with increased knowledge in breastfeeding and counseling.

Breastfeeding Education Materials

A variety of breastfeeding brochures are available for use in local WIC agencies.  Materials address issues such as benefits to mother and child, returning to work or school, breastfeeding problems and nutrition needs during breastfeeding.  Videos and books are also available for loan to mothers.  Loving Support Makes Breastfeeding Work brochures and posters from Best Start Social Marketing are currently being used.

Local Agency Initiatives

Local agency nutrition and breastfeeding promotion staff have developed a variety of activities to promote breastfeeding, including distribution of manual and electric breast pumps, employment of peer counselors, early postpartum support, newsletter articles and displays on the benefits of breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding Task Force 

Established In 1996, the NH Breastfeeding Task Force is made up of health professionals with representation from hospitals, pediatricians, nurses, lactation consultants as well as WIC staff.  The task force presents an annual breastfeeding award to a local hospital each year; developed a breastfeeding resource manual for professionals (third edition now in print); and, has designed and distributed breastfeeding promotion posters and postcards to health care agencies.