Teresa Echegaray, RD, CLE

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a nutrition program for low to mid-income pregnant or postpartum women, infants, and children under the age of five. In addition to vouchers for nutritious foods, WIC participants receive nutrition education, referrals to other health and social services, and breastfeeding support. Applicants must meet income guidelines (a family of four can make up to $2722 monthly), reside within the county, and be determined to be at "nutritional risk" by a health professional. Since its beginning in 1974, the WIC Program has earned the reputation of being one of the most successful and cost-effective federally funded nutrition programs in the United States. Many people are aware of findings that demonstrate WIC's role in improving birth outcomes and containing health care costs; however, few may realize that WIC has been playing an important role in improved infant feeding practices as well.

Studies show that between 1989 and 1995, the percentage of WIC mothers breastfeeding in the hospital increased by 36.3 percent (from 34.2 to 46.6 percent), while the percentage for non-WIC mothers breastfeeding in the hospital increased by 12.9 percent (from 62.9 to 71 percent). The percentage of WIC infants breastfeeding at six months of age increased by 51.2 percent (from 8.4 to 12.7 percent), while for non-WIC infants, the percentage of breastfeeding at six months of age increased by 22.7 percent (from 23.8 to 29.2). WIC serves 45 percent of all infants born in the United States.

WIC Program regulations have always had a requirement that all pregnant women "shall be encouraged to breastfeed unless contraindicated for health reasons." WIC health professionals are indeed committed to promoting breastfeeding as the optimal method of infant feeding. Local agencies offer a variety of breastfeeding support services, including classes, support groups, peer counselors, incentive gifts, pump loan programs, and helplines. Every agency has a Breastfeeding Promotion Coordinator and many WIC nutritionists and assistants are certified lactation educators.

In San Diego County, the WIC Program is administered through five local agencies. Although the specifics of their services may differ, all are committed to the promotion and support of breastfeeding. To apply or refer to the WIC Program, or for more information about breastfeeding support services, call your local WIC office for details.

American Red Cross WIC Program (800) 500-6411
No. County Health Services WIC Program (760) 471-2743
Scripps Mercy Hospital WIC Program (619) 260-7054
SDSU Foundation WIC Program (888) 999-6897
San Ysidro Health Center WIC Program (619) 426-7966

Elizabeth Creer, RN, FPN, MPH

The San Diego County Children and Families Commission (SDCCFC) celebrated the arrival of the Kit for New Parents on January 28, 2002, with a ceremony at the Beacon Family Resource Center/Vista Square School in Chula Vista. The Commission, along with members of the Board of Supervisors, distributed the first Kits to parents to begin the distribution process in San Diego County. The crowd of 250 adults and many young children included parents and representatives from community agencies, health care facilities and educational programs. It is planned that 45,000 Kits will be distributed to parents in San Diego County annually. These Kits include six videos, a children's book and informational pamphlets.

The SDCCFC has contracted with the Regional Perinatal System (RPS) to distribute Kits in San Diego. RPS is working with a large number of community agencies, educational programs, hospitals and clinics to reach all pregnant women and new parents. More than 50 agencies and institutions have developed plans for utilizing the Kits in their work. The agencies, known as "partners", are located in all regions of the County. Partners are using a variety of strategies to assist parents to become familiar with the information in the Kit, such as home visits, clinic visits, support group meetings, and parenting classes. There is no time limit for joining as a partner in this educational activity. A listing of the San Diego County partners is available on our web site: www.regionalperinatalsystem.org/welcome_baby.htm. Please contact ecreer@ucsd.edu for more information.

Susan Kobara --HealthShare Lactation Services

Governor Gray Davis signed Assembly Bill 1025, by Assemblyman Dario Frommer (D-Glendale), effective January 1, 2002. AB 1025 (Lactation Accommodation) requires employers to provide a reasonable amount of unpaid break time to accommodate an employee desiring to express breast milk. As introduced, the employer is also required to make reasonable efforts to provide the employee with the use of a room or other location, other than a toilet stall, in close proximity to the employee's work area. AB 1025 is designed to meet the needs of women who wish to continue breastfeeding their babies after they return to work.