WIC
About WIC
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a program provided by the State of Kansas to provide healthy nutrition and behaviors for moms and their children. WIC serves:
- Pregnant women
- Women who are breastfeeding, up to the baby's first birthday
- Non-breastfeeding mothers, until the baby is six months old
- Infants and children under five years old
WIC services are provided based on income guidelines. Benefits are now being issued through the eWIC system at the Harper County Health Department. To see if you qualify, call our office at 620-842-5132.
WIC Appointments
During a WIC appointment, clients meet with a nurse to discuss eating habits, nutrition, and healthy choices. WIC checks are then printed to be used at a grocery store to buy the healthy foods that were talked about during the appointment. Some of the WIC foods that are offered include:
Breastfeeding
Our office and WIC support breastfeeding as the best start for a baby. Breastmilk has several natural ingredients that formula does not have, such as vitamins and minerals, growth factors, and antibodies. Breastfeeding can also reduce a baby's risk of:
- Obesity
- Ear infections
- Respiratory infections
- Gastrointestinal infections
- Skin conditions
- Diabetes
- SIDS
Moms who choose to breastfeed on the WIC program receive additional food on their checks and are able to continue to receive benefits until the baby turns one year old. The baby also receives more supplemental baby food than a formula fed baby once it turns six months old. For questions about breastfeeding or if you need more support please call our office at 620-842-5132.
The following classes and information about breast pumps are for all moms (not only those who qualify for WIC).
Breastfeeding Education
Download the "coffective" app to access videos and resources to learn step by step how to be successful at breastfeeding. This app has great resources to help you get ready, learn your baby and nourish them well, and protect your breastfeeding bond as you continue.
Lactation Consultant
For extensive questions contact the lactation department at the hospital that you delivered in: Wesley: 316-962-6455, Via Christi: 316-689-5426
Other Breastfeeding Support and Resources
La Leche League, Wichita: 316-530-3555
Julie Fields, IBCLC (Pratt, KS) 620-770-6844
Reliable Online Resources
Stanford Medicine: Newborn Nursery
Mommymeds
Office of Women's Health
Office of Women's Health: It's Only Natural
La Leche League
Breastfeeding USA
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Breastfeeding
KellyMom
Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere Website
Breastfeeding Basics
MOBI Motherhood International
Kansas Business Case
JustBreastFeeding
Breast Pumps
With grant funding and the WIC program we have been able to purchase breast pumps to help you breastfeed successfully. We have two electric breastpumps to loan (depending on availability, qualifications and need), and several manual breastpumps to give away for free. We have staff to help with education relating to these breastpumps, and will follow up to see how things are going. If you are interested in more information about our breastpump program, please call our office at 620-842-5132.
Helpful Links About WIC, Pregnancy, and Breastfeeding
- Kansas Department of Health and Environment: Nutrition and WIC Service
- La Leche League: Breastfeeding Support
- March of Dimes
- Text4Baby: Receive free text messages during your pregnancy and first year, timed to your baby's due date. Text baby to 511411 for English, or bebe to 511411 for Spanish to sign up. You may also sign up online.
Legal 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, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. To file a complaint of discrimination, write:
USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication
1400 SW Independence Avenue
Washington D.C., 20250-9410
Phone: 866-632-9992 (voice)
Phone: 800-877-8339 (TTY)
Phone: 800-845-6136 (Spanish)
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. The Harper County Health Department is an equal opportunity provider and employer.