Breastfeeding for young infants has been proven to improve health outcomes for children, as breastfeeding has many short-term and long-term benefits for both mother and child.

WIC Program

Baltimore County’s Bureau of Clinical Services made a goal to increase the proportion of postpartum women enrolled in WIC who initiate breastfeeding their baby by 3% in 2022. Strategies for increasing the rate of breastfeeding include:

• Training all WIC staff regarding breastfeeding
• Offering prenatal & infant nutrition education sessions on breastfeeding to WIC participants at all sites
• Using breastfeeding peer counselors to provide knowledge and support both in person and through phone contacts to pregnant women contemplating breastfeeding
• Collaborating with community partners to promote breastfeeding knowledge and support in the community and via media
• Ensuring breastfeeding materials are available in languages other than English
• Offering breastfeeding support groups to women who initiate breastfeeding
• Developing community partner contact list