What is meant by targeted breastfeeding support services?
Selected WIC staff members are trained in lactation counseling and, in most programs, peer-counseling services are offered to pregnant women and new mothers. Peer counselors are mothers who have breastfed at least one infant and received special training from WIC in how to provide breastfeeding support. Women are introduced to their peer counselor during pregnancy so that a relationship is established and breastfeeding education can occur before the baby is born. The literature shows that peer counseling is one of the most successful interventions for increasing breastfeeding among low-income women. Other support services include the availability of breast pumps to mothers who are returning to work or have other special needs. The www.breastfeedingpartners.org website has been developed specifically to answer mothers’ questions and provide additional training to peer counselors.
