WIC is a program for women, infants and children
(Women, Infants, Children) program.
The goal of WIC is to improve the health and nutrition of mothers and children.
It is well known that pregnancy and infancy are among the most important times for growth and
important periods for growth and development.
What’s in WIC food baskets?
In the United States, WIC is a government-funded, locally run public health program.
Its premise is to provide high quality nutritional supplements, nutrition education and health care consultations to low-income women and children at high risk of deficiencies during critical stages of growth and development.
The WIC program began long before the relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and chronic disease risk was established.
Initially, the selected food supplements targeted the most glaring nutritional deficiencies in pregnant and lactating women, infants, and children up to 5 years of age, namely: calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, and protein.
Traditionally, food baskets have included nutrient-rich foods such as milk, cheese, eggs, beans, peanut butter, fruit juices, iron-fortified cereals, and infant formula.
There has been much debate about the addition of fruits and vegetables to WIC supplements. In 2005, a report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommended a number of modifications, including the inclusion of fruits and vegetables for all participants over 6 months of age.
In our study, they were not included in the WIC supplements. In our study, these were provided only in the form of juice (for all participants older than 4 months) and fresh carrots for breastfeeding women.
WIC : An ideal setting to analyze ways to increase fruit and vegetable consumption
This study evaluated the impact of financial assistance for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables on increasing consumption among postpartum women.
The WIC program provides an ideal setting to explore ways to increase fruit and vegetable consumption. It aims to improve dietary quality by providing high-quality, nutrient-dense foods and dietary education to a low-income population.
The program has reached approximately half of all children born in the United States and their mothers and about 25% of pre-school children.8 In this study, a comparison was made between the number of children born in the United States and the number of children born in Canada.
In this study, two interventions to increase fruit and vegetable consumption were compared to a control site.
The interventions involved a large supermarket and a local year-round market. All study participants had recently given birth, were breastfeeding or not, spoke English or Spanish, and were at least 18 years old.
Breastfeeding…it’s our business.
WIC supports breastfeeding by providing more food in your food basket and allowing you to be part of the program for an entire year.
Once breastfeeding is well established, breastfed infants receive a larger food basket at 6 months of age.
Your WIC program has counselors who, like you, are women who are breastfeeding.
They can share the joys of motherhood with you and help you with breastfeeding.
You can continue to breastfeed after returning to work or school.
The WIC has an assortment of breast pumps available and a staff experienced in helping
in helping mothers.
What are WIC foods?
The acceptable WIC “Food Map” shows you what foods you can buy with your “Food Card” every time you go to the store to use your WIC checks.
WIC Foods for Infants
Breast milk is the best food for babies. Breastfeeding is important for babies.
For the first 6 months babies drinks only Breast milk. but If breast milk is not available, the WIC can provide iron-fortified formula. You must purchase the product the form indicated on your checks (powdered, condensed or ready-to-use).
Purchase only the brand, container, size and number of containers printed on your containers printed on your cheques.
Cereals
WIC cereals are rich in iron and vitamin B and contain little sugar.
Many are whole grains.
You can buy any cereal listed on the “Food Map.
Check the weight on each package.
Buy an assortment of packages corresponding to the number of ounces listed on your WIC checks (or close to it).
You may not exceed the total weight in ounces listed on your checks.
You must purchase cereal packets in the assortment of sizes listed on the “Food Card”.
What is nutrition education at WIC?
Nutrition education is about food, healthy living, healthy behaviors and how they affect your health.
You are giving your child the benefits of all your efforts for a healthy pregnancy, good child development and the best health possible.
Nutrition education at WIC can be done:
- Between you and a WIC nutritionist.
- In a group session
During group sessions, you help each other by sharing experiences and information about parenting, nutrition and everyday day-to-day issues.
It’s a time to share and connect with others in a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere.
Vegetables
Vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre.
You can buy fresh, frozen or canned vegetables or canned.
Fruits
Fruit is rich in vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre.
You You can buy fresh, frozen or canned fruit.
Refer to the “Food Map” for information on approved and unapproved products. approved and non-approved products.
Who is eligible for the WIC Program?
- Families where the mother is pregnant, breastfeeding, and in the postpartum period.
- Children in the care of a father, grandparent, foster parent, step-parent or guardian are eligible.
- Any person who resides in the State of Maine, including immigrants who work in the State of Maine.
Eligible applicants must also meet meet WIC income criteria and must income criteria and must be considered to be at nutritional risk. nutritionally at risk.
Any person who receives SNAP, TANF, or MaineCare assistance MaineCare is automatically qualified for WIC, regardless of income.
Start giving solid foods
WHEN : At about 6 months of age. Talk to your pediatrician if you’re unsure!
WHERE : Securely in a high chair or on the parent’s lap.
Face your baby while he or she is eating.
HOW : Introduce new foods one at a time. at a time.
This can allow you to detect any food allergy allergy.
