WIC Changes & How Parent's Choice Can Help
Starting October 1 2009, important changes are happening to the WIC program that may reduce the amount of infant formula that you receive for your baby. Check with your local WIC agency for more details.
For new mothers, the program places greater emphasis on breastfeeding, the best nutritional option for growing infants. WIC moms who breast feed exclusively will be allocated higher levels of food compensation for nutritious foods such as fresh fruit, low-fat milk and whole grain bread and cereals. Similarly, exclusively breastfed babies will receive more baby food and cereals at ages 6 – 11mo., but no infant formula.
Packages for those who partially breast feed or formula feed exclusively also are available. However, mothers who partially breast feed or formula feed exclusively may receive less formula than was allocated in previous years.
This means parents who previously had most of their formula paid for by WIC may now have to purchase more formula on their own. In this situation, Parent's Choice can help, by offering parents high quality infant formula at a tremendous value – up to 50%* less than the price of comparable national brands.
Frequently Asked Questions about Breastfeeding and Parent's Choice
I am pregnant and want more information about breast feeding. Who can I talk to?
There are many breast feeding resources available to you. Of course, you can always talk to your medical provider or breast support team at your local hospital. You can also talk to the counselors at your WIC office. WIC staff members are trained to answer your questions about breast feeding and offer a wide variety of resources to help you make the best choices for your baby's nutrition.
Should I breast feed?
Yes! Breast feeding is the best nutritional option for infants. Breast milk is tailored to meet the needs of your baby and contains numerous ingredients that are not found in infant formula. However, if you are not providing your baby breast milk during the first year of life, use infant formula as a substitute. Do not replace breast milk or infant formula with cow's milk or non-nutritive liquids such as juice, soda, or sports beverages; these do not provide complete and balanced nutrition required for your baby's growth and development.
Are there any resources to help me build my breast milk supply or provide breast milk to my baby, while going back to work?
A peer counselor at your local WIC office should be able to provide you with educational materials and even help you locate breast feeding supplies or breast pumps available for use. Hospitals may also be good resources since a number of locations allow moms to use their breast pumps for a nominal fee and offer breast feeding classes.
Does breast feeding offer baby benefits, even if I supplement with infant formula?
Yes. Many studies have shown better health in breastfed babies. The ‘breastfed babies' in those studies were being fed other things in addition to breast milk. Some mothers choose to mix breast milk and formula feedings for practical reasons, and their babies are healthier on average than babies receiving no breast milk1.
What if I don't have enough infant formula to feed my baby at the end of the month?
Purchasing infant formula can be a financial burden for many families. Do not, under any circumstances, over dilute infant formula or replace infant formula with cow's milk or non-nutritive liquids such as juice, soda, or sports beverages. If you must purchase formula, consider purchasing high-quality Parent's Choice Infant Formula.
Is Parent's Choice as good as the national brands?
Absolutely! By law, Parent's Choice formulas must meet all strict Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandated nutritional and manufacturing standards, just like leading WIC brands. If you choose to formula feed, there are no better formulas than Parent's Choice Infant Formulas.
Can I switch to Parent's Choice Infant Formula at the end of the month and then go back to feeding my baby the WIC brand?
According to Dr. James Sutphen, M.D., Ph.D., University of Virginia Department of Pediatrics, 'There is no physiological reason why you can't switch from one brand of infant formula to another that shares the same protein source, which means store brands are just as nutritionally sound as national-brand formulas.' Talk to your health care provider about the best formula for your baby or changing infant formulas.
My baby is on a gentle formula. Does Parent's Choice offer this type of formula?
Yes. Parent's Choice Gentle® is comparable to leading gentle infant formulas in the market. Parent's Choice offers a wide range of nutritionally advanced formulas that address the digestive issues common to most infants. Explore our website to learn more about each formula Parent's Choice offers.
What are the benefits of using powdered infant formula?
Of all of the forms of infant formula (powder, ready-to-use or concentrate), powdered formula is the least expensive option. And powder allows moms to make only the amount of formula needed, which gives moms more control to prevent spoilage and offer baby a fresh bottle for each feeding. No matter which type of formula you use, please take care to follow all preparation instructions carefully to assure safe bottle feeding.
How do I know if my baby is getting enough food/milk?
Your baby's growth will indicate whether he is getting enough to eat. Your baby's weight, length, and head circumference are measured at each check-up. These measurements are then plotted on growth curves and tracked over time. Changes to how your baby grows in relation to a particular growth curve may indicate a feeding or other health problem. Talk to your medical provider regarding your baby's health and development2.
Does Parent's Choice offer any other food items for my baby?
Yes. Parent's Choice offers a wide range of baby and toddler snack and food items at prices that are far less than comparable national brands. In fact, Parent's Choice™ Baby Food purees are federally WIC eligible, WIC approved in some states (check your local WIC office for more details) and are 100% delicious.
Are there any changes in the types of food that I receive?
The new WIC food packages for mom are consistent with current nutritional guidelines and focus on reducing saturated fat and emphasizing new categories of food, including fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains. Also, in response to the need for cultural diversity, the new food package offers moms the ability to choose from various types of healthy alternatives, which may include wheat bread, corn or whole wheat tortillas and soy products.
Parent's Choice applauds the efforts of WIC to assure that infants receive the best start in life.
For more information, feel free to call our customer service department at 1-800-272-5095
References:
[1] Murkoff, H., Eisenberg, A. & Hathaway, S. 2003. 'What to Expect When You Are Expecting.'
Workman Publishing Co. pp. 164-165.
[2] Krug-Wispe, S.K.. 1999. In 'Answers to More than 500 Questions You’re Likely to Hear About Infant Nutirition.' Edited by R. Tsang. Pp. 14-19.
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