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  • Breastfeeding
  • Find Support
  • Finding Support &
    Information
  • Mother-to-Mother Support
  • WIC Staff
  • Your Partner and Family Members
  • Professionals
  • Breastfeeding In Public​
Mother providing supportive care to her baby during feeding

Finding Support &

Information

Many moms need help with breastfeeding. The good news is there are a lot of people you can reach out to for help and support – including WIC!

Build a breastfeeding team. Having a support system is important to your breastfeeding success. Decide who you want on your team and talk with them about your breastfeeding goals.

Your breastfeeding support team might include:

  • WIC staff
  • Your partner
  • Family members and friends
  • Other breastfeeding mothers
  • Breastfeeding professionals

Mother-to-Mother

Support

Other breastfeeding mothers are a great source of support. They can share tips and offer good advice. They might also share personal breastfeeding stories that will inspire and reassure you.

Ways to connect with other breastfeeding mothers:

Contact Your Peer Counselor
  • WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselors

Some WIC programs offer peer counselors. “Peer” means that the counselor has breastfed her own baby and can help other mothers breastfeed.

  • Breastfeeding Support Groups

Ask WIC, your doctor, or other breastfeeding expert to suggest a support group.

  • - WIC clinics, doctors’ offices, and hospitals often have IBCLC on staff who lead regular support group meetings
  • Find a local La Leche League support group by visiting their website at www.llli.org.
  • Search for a breastfeeding center near you.

These centers may offer support groups. Some resources include:

  • - Nursing Mothers Advisory Council
  • - Nursing Mothers, Inc.
  • - BreastfeedingUSA.org

Social media sites and message boards can help you connect with other moms.

These are great support systems, but it’s best not to rely on social media for medical advice or clinical breastfeeding support. For challenges such as sore nipples or milk supply concerns, talk to WIC, your doctor, or other breastfeeding expert instead.

WIC

Staff

WIC has breastfeeding experts – lactation consultants and peer counselors – who are ready to support your breastfeeding goals. WIC can answer questions and help with breastfeeding challenges.

How WIC supports breastfeeding:

  • Staff answer breastfeeding questions in clinics or through the Breastfeeding Helpline
  • WIC offers enhanced food packages for breastfeeding mothers and infants
  • WIC provides quality breast pumps to mothers who need one

You are not alone in your breastfeeding journey. Help is just a call away!

Contact wic

Your Partner and

Family Members

Breastfeeding is more than a way to feed a baby — it becomes a way of life. Fathers, partners, family members, and other support persons can be involved in breastfeeding too.

How your partner and family members can support you:

Happy child
  • Cheer your breastfeeding efforts
  • Hold baby skin-to-skin
  • Snuggle baby so you can rest
  • Read to baby
  • Help you relax
  • Bring you water
  • Change diapers
  • Give baths
  • Run errands
  • Cook meals
  • Wash clothes
  • Spend time with older children

Professionals

  • International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
  • IBCLCs are certified breastfeeding professionals with the highest level of knowledge and skill in breastfeeding support. Go to www.uslca.org to find an IBCLC in your area.
  • Certified lactation counselor or certified breastfeeding educator
  • A breastfeeding counselor or educator has special training and teaches about breastfeeding. They help women with basic breastfeeding challenges and questions.​
  • Baby-Friendly® Hospitals
  • Baby-Friendly® Hospitals provide support for breastfeeding mothers, including:
  • - Keeping mom and baby together throughout the hospital stay
  • - Teaching feeding cues and breastfeeding techniques
  • - Providing or linking to support after leaving the hospital
For more information about Baby-Friendly® hospitals, visit www.babyfriendlyusa.org.

Breastfeeding In

Public

Some moms may feel uncomfortable breastfeeding in public. If this sounds like you, remember you are feeding your baby and not doing anything wrong. You are meeting your baby’s needs.

It’s not possible to stay home all the time. You can feel free to feed your baby while you are out and about. Be proud of your commitment!

Tips to help you feel more comfortable when breastfeeding in public:

  • Wear clothes that allow easy access to your breasts such as nursing bras and loose or button-down shirts
  • Practice at home first to make sure you are showing only what you feel comfortable with
  • Use a breastfeeding cover up or receiving blanket around your shoulders
  • Face the wall at a restaurant or sit in a booth
  • Breastfeed in a women’s lounge or a dressing room in stores
  • Place a “Do Not Disturb” sign outside the door for added privacy
Download “Do Not Disturb” Door Hanger
Mother feeding her baby outdoors

There are laws in most states that protect nursing women. These laws are in place because breastfeeding is the best choice for the health of a mother and her baby.

Click Here to see the laws in your state.

Believe in yourself and your choice to breastfeed your baby!

Delaware Wic Site Logo

Contact Us

New Castle County
Hudson: (302) 605-4066
West End: (302) 605-6653
Northeast/Claymont: (302) 605-4099
Email: nccwic@delaware.gov

Kent County
(302) 605-1833
(302) 605-4077 (Spanish)
Email: kentwic@delaware.gov

Sussex County
(302) 605-4055
(302) 605-4077 (Spanish)
Email: sussexwic@delaware.gov

Resources

  • Income Guidelines
  • WIC Breastfeeding Support
  • Delaware WIC Client Portal
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  • Youtube

Email: dewicprogram@delaware.gov

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Click here for USDA non-discrimination statement.

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    Feeding a 6-7 Month Old

    Feed solids with a spoon and from a bowl, never from a bottle.
    Breast Milk
    Infant Formula
    Breast Milk

    Continue to nurse on-demand, about 4-6 times in 24 hours.

    Babies may experience a growth spurt around 6 months of age and may feed more often.

    Offer breast milk in a cup.

    Infant Formula

    24-32 oz. per day of infant formula.

    Offer formula in a cup.

    Grains
    Vegetables
    Fruits
    Proteins
    Grains
    Use breast milk or formula to prepare 2-4 Tbsp. iron-fortified infant cereal. Offer twice per day. 2-4 Tbsp. of small pieces of dry bread, baby crackers, and cereal. Offer twice per day.
    Grains
    Vegetables
    4-8 Tbsp. per day. Cooked, pureed, mashed vegetables.
    Vegetables
    Fruits
    2-4 Tbsp. per day. Cooked, pureed, mashed fruits. Applesauce, pureed peaches, or mashed banana.
    Fruits
    Proteins
    2-4 Tbsp. per day. Plain strained, mashed, or pureed meats, poultry, eggs, fish, or legumes. May add smooth whole milk yogurt. Thinned, smooth peanut or nut butter.
    Proteins

    Feeding a 10-12 Month Old

    Breast milk is the most important source of nutrition for your baby, even after you start offering solid foods.

    Breast Milk
    Infant Formula
    Breast Milk

    Continue to nurse on-demand, 3 or more times per day.

    Infant Formula

    16-24 oz. per day. Offer in a cup.

    Grains
    Vegetables
    Fruits
    Proteins
    Grains
    4-8 Tbsp. per day. WIC approved infant cereals. Dry toast, crackers, bread, bagels, rolls, or plain muffins. Cooked rice and noodles.
    10-12 Month Grains
    Vegetables
    3-4 Tbsp. per day. Cooked bite-size vegetable pieces.
    10-12 Month Vegetables
    Fruits
    3-4 Tbsp. per day. Fresh fruits, peeled, and in bite-size portions.
    10-12 Month Fruits
    Proteins
    2-4 Tbsp. per day. Finely ground, chopped, or diced meats, poultry, eggs, fish, or cooked mashed beans. Thinned, smooth peanut butter.
    10-12 Month Proteins

    Feeding a 8-9 Month Old

    Feed solids with a spoon. Never put cereal in a bottle.

    Breast Milk
    Infant Formula
    Breast Milk

    Continue nursing on-demand, at least 4 times in 24 hours.

    If your baby seems less interested in nursing after you introduce solids, try nursing before you offer solids.

    Offer breast milk in a cup.

    Infant Formula

    24-32 oz. per day.

    Offer formula in a cup.

    Grains
    Vegetables
    Fruits
    Proteins
    Grains

    4-8 Tbsp. per day.

    Plain iron-fortified infant cereals.

    Plain rice or pasta.

    Baby crackers, small pieces of bread, or soft tortillas.

    8-9 Month Grains
    Vegetables

    8-12 Tbsp. per day.

    Plain cooked vegetables, mashed with a fork.

    8-9 Month Vegetables
    Fruits

    8-12 Tbsp. per day.

    Peeled soft fruit in bite-size pieces.

    Unsweetened canned fruit.

    8-9 Month Fruits
    Proteins

    4-8 Tbsp. per day.

    Finely ground, chopped, or diced meats, poultry, eggs, fish, or cooked mashed beans.

    Cottage cheese or mild cheese.

    Thinned, smooth peanut or nut butter.

    8-9 Month Proteins
    I'm Hungry
    I'm Hungry

    Tips

    Mom new born home

    Breast milk and formula feeding:

    Around 2-3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months of age, babies may experience a growth spurt when they feed more often.

    As they grow babies can hold more milk, so feedings may become further apart and take less time.

    To prevent choking, always hold your baby when feeding. Never prop up a bottle to feed.

    Start offering whole milk when your baby is one year old.

    The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months and beyond.

    feeding solid foods

    Feeding solid foods:

    Wait to offer solid foods until your baby:

    • Can sit up and hold up their own head.
    • Opens their mouth when they see food.
    • Can close their lips around a spoon.

    To prevent choking, always hold your baby when feeding. Never prop up a bottle to feed.

    Try one new food at a time. Wait 5 days before trying another new food to watch for allergies. Food allergies may include wheezing, rash, or diarrhea.

    Introduce peanut butter around 6 months. Mix one teaspoon of peanut butter with breast milk or formula. Make it thin and easy to swallow. Use a spoon to offer a taste of the thinned product. Watch your baby for any reaction for the next 2 hours.

    Babies under one year should NOT have honey due to the risk of botulism. Also, babies should not have foods that can cause choking like nuts or whole grapes.

    All babies are different. Talk with WIC or your baby’s healthcare provider about your baby’s needs.

    Feeding Cues

    I'm Hungry
    I'm Full
    I'm Hungry
    • Stirring
      Stirring
    • Mouth opening
      Mouth opening
    • Turning head seeking/rooting
      Turning head seeking/rooting
    I'm Full
    • Releases or falls off
      Releases or “falls off”
    • Turns away
      Turns away
    • Relaxes and opens fists
      Relaxes and opens fists

    Feeding a 4-5 Month Old

    Before teeth come in, wipe gums with a soft, clean wash cloth after each feeding, especially before bed.

    Breast Milk
    Infant Formula
    Breast Milk

    Nurse your baby on-demand, at least 7-9 times in 24 hours.

    When your baby starts teething, they may want to nurse more often.

    Infant Formula

    25-45 oz in 24 hours.

    Your baby needs about 4-6 oz of iron-fortified formula every 3-4 hours.

    Your baby may start to feed on a schedule. Instead of focusing on fixed amounts, let your baby tell you when they have had enough.

    I'm Hungry
    I'm Hungry

    Feeding a 0-3 Month Old

    Newborns have tiny tummies and need to be fed often. In the first few weeks, you may need to wake your baby to feed if they sleep longer than 4 hours.

    Growth Spurts

    Many babies are fussy during a growth spurt and will want to nurse longer and more often. This is called cluster feeding. This is your baby’s way of helping you increase your milk supply so that you can keep up with their needs. Remember, the more your baby nurses, the more milk your body makes.

    Growth spurts can happen at any time, and every baby is different.

    They often happen at these ages:

    two-three-weeks

    2 to 3 Weeks

    6 Weeks

    three-months

    3 Months

    six-months

    6 Months

    Breast Milk
    Infant Formula
    Breast Milk

    Breastfeed 8-12 times in 24 hours to help your newborn stay healthy.

    Nurse on-demand and when your newborn shows signs of hunger, such as sucking on hands or smacking lips.

    Infant Formula

    In the first few days, newborns need 2-3 oz. of iron-fortified infant formula every 3-4 hours.

    By the end of the first month, your newborn needs about 4 oz. every 4 hours.

    Feed on-demand and when your newborn shows signs of hunger.

    What foods can I get?

    Authorized Food List
    Authorized Food List

    Where can I shop?