Breastfeeding Support & Education
The primary mission of the Texas & Cameron County Public Health WIC Program is to give our most vulnerable children the best possible start by providing optimal nutrition during the critical stages of fetal and early childhood development.
To this end, we are committed to serving as many eligible women, infants, and children as we possibly can with the funds provided.
Pregnant women who eat nutritious foods and receive prenatal care are more likely to deliver full-term, healthy babies. Breastfed infants and children who eat appropriate nutritious foods build a foundation for lifelong health and increased intellectual potential.
The combination of WIC nutrition education, healthy foods, and access to medical and social programs promotes a better quality of life for Texas children today, and supports their growth and development into fully functioning human beings with a choice and a future.
Breastfeeding Support & Education
The purpose of Breastfeeding (BF) Education in the WIC Program is to encourage WIC participants to breastfeed their infants and to establish breastfeeding as the natural and optimum way to feed infants. The WIC staff and the clinic environment will promote and support breastfeeding by:
- Promoting breastfeeding as the natural and optimum way to feed an infant. Informing participants about the availability of breast pumps.
- Provide counseling for any breastfeeding concerns.
- Provide participants with a referral list of qualified individuals able to answer their breastfeeding questions.
- Provide ongoing breastfeeding training for WIC staff.
- Maintain the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor (BFPC) Program and the Peer Dad Program.
- Staff an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Trained Breastfeeding Educator (TBE).
To view a list that has been developed locally to assist participants with a roster of qualified individuals that are able to answer their breastfeeding questions, please click here.
WIC - Frequently Asked Questions
Pregnant women, breastfeeding women, women who had a baby within the last six months, parents, step-parents, guardians, and foster parents of infants and children who are younger than 5 may qualify for WIC if you have current Medicaid, TANF, SNAP, or meet the income eligibility guidelines for WIC; live in Texas (note* you do not have to be a U.S. citizen to be part of the WIC program).
In order to apply for WIC you can either start your application online at www.texaswic.org or contact us by phone at 1-888-942-4847.
After you attend your WIC appointment, if you qualify, you’ll get food benefits designed to meet your needs and a WIC card to use at the grocery store.
Then, you can go shopping and get healthy foods for your family!
Call 1-800-942-3678 to report it so WIC can cancel your card and protect your benefits.
It can take up to 6 business days to get a new card.
Yes! Your WIC card is needed for each visit to reload information and food benefits.
WIC offers:
- Nutrition education (counseling, classes, online resources).
- Breastfeeding support (peer counselors, lactation consultant referrals).
- Referrals to health programs (Family Planning, Immunizations, etc.).
Client Resources
For questions on services and/or eligibility, contact WIC at:
1-888-WIC-HUGS // 1-888-942-4847
WIC Nondiscrimination Statement:
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to: USDA Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington D.C. 20250-9410; or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD).
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
You may also call our toll-free number for assistance: 1 (800) 942-3678
