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to The Benefits of Breastfeeding
Pump
Loans
The Santa Barbara County Public
Health Department Nutrition Services/WIC Program offers manual,
pedal and electric breast pumps to eligible mothers. WIC has more
than 175 electric and pedal breast pumps. Mothers with breast
pumps are followed via phone or in person.
Breastfeeding Questions
& Problems
Women who are on the Santa Barbara
WIC Program receive assistance with breastfeeding questions and
problems within each WIC site and via the phone. Each WIC site
has at least one breastfeeding counselor and all sites have Lactation
Educators (LEs) and/or Breastfeeding Consultants (IBCLCs). Participants
seeking help with breastfeeding problems can call to schedule
an appointment and those who have general questions or need follow-ups
can call the WIC toll free number at 1-877 275-8805.
Extra Food Vouchers
Exclusively breastfeeding mothers,
those who are not taking any formula from WIC, receive an enhanced
food package. This includes tuna, fresh carrots, more peanut butter
or beans, and more juice. The extra food is used as an incentive
for mothers not to take formula, and the additional food covers
the increased calorie and nutrient needs while a mother is breastfeeding.
Extra Six Months of WIC
A mother who is exclusively breastfeeding
or combination feeding (breastfeeding and formula) will receive
WIC vouchers up until the infant's first birthday, mothers who do not breastfeed may receive WIC vouchers until their infant in six months of age. This is also an incentive to keep mothers breastfeeding
longer.
Breastfeeding
Incentive Items
All exclusively breastfeeding mothers
who do not take formula from WIC will receive various breastfeeding incentive
items within the first six months.
Prenatal Classes
All pregnant women are scheduled
into two prenatal breastfeeding classes. Prenatal Nutrition & Breastfeeding is scheduled during the second
trimester and the second class "Latch-On & Positioning"
is scheduled during the third trimester.
