The Preble County WIC Program helps income eligible pregnant and breastfeeding women, women who have recently had a baby, infants, and children who are at medical or nutritional risk.

 
WIC helps:

• Improve pregnancy outcomes by providing or referring to support services necessary for full term pregnancies.
• Reduce infant mortality by decreasing the incidence of low birth weights.
• Increases breastfeeding rates.
• Give infants and children a healthy start in life by providing nutritious foods.

 
WIC provides:

• Highly nutritious foods such as milk, eggs, juice, cereal, peanut butter, whole grains, fruit and vegetables.  Infants receive infant fruits, vegetables, cereal and iron-fortified formula. 
• Nutrition education, breastfeeding education and support.
• Referral to prenatal care, pediatric health care and other maternal and child health and human service programs.
• WIC provides supplemental foods, nutrition education and referral to other agencies.  A family of four can gross up to $785 a week (before taxes).

Preble County WIC (Women, Infant, and Children) Breastfeeding Coordinator, Christine Maggard, RN, recently became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).  In order for Christine to become certified, she had to take 40 hours of continuing education, have 1000 hours of clinical time, and take an exam.  Before Christine became certified, if moms experienced issues with breastfeeding that were out of her scope of practice, she would refer clients to a lactation consultant out of the area.  Now with more knowledge and experience, Christine can provide in-depth breastfeeding education and support at Preble County WIC.

A new Breastfeeding Peer Helper is scheduled to begin working at Preble County WIC in 2011.  The new Peer Helper will provide basic breastfeeding information and support to pregnant and breastfeeding women. Christine Maggard, RN, IBCLC, will also be overseeing the Peer Helper.

For more information or income guidelines, call the WIC clinic at (937) 456-5457 Ext. 231.