Medical authorities agree on the benefits of breastfeeding forboth mothers and babies.
With 45 percent of the babies born in the U.S. being servedby WIC, we really do have direct access to get the breastfeeding message to new mothers. The WIC Program provides its clients with supplemental food, nutritioncounseling and education, and access to health services through federal grants tostates. Studies have shown that each WIC dollar spent on prenatal care can save up to three dollars in Medicaid costs for mothers and infants in the first 60 days afterbirth. The breastfeeding promotion project will be implemented initially by 10 pilotWIC state agencies in Iowa, Arkansas, Nevada, California, New Jersey, West Virginia,Ohio, New York, Mississippi, and the Chickasaw Indian Tribal Organization. Additionalstates across the country will participate as their resources permit, and the campaignis available to all states.