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Breastfeeding Peer Counselors

CMDHD WIC Supports Breastfeeding for All
Breastfeeding or nursing, is feeding an infant human milk, usually directly from the parent's breast. Right after a baby is born, they naturally look for milk from your breast using smell and instincts. The WIC program recognizes and embraces the terms chestfeeding, human milk feeding, or bodyfeeding. These terms are used alongside breastfeeding to be more inclusive to people that don’t relate to the term ‘breastfeeding’. On this page, we primarily use the words chest/breastfeeding, but you can be comfortable letting us know which term you prefer when talking with us.


Breastfeeding has benefits for babies, breastfeeding parents and your community.
• Breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for most babies. Breast milk has just the right amount of protein, vitamins and minerals to help support your growing baby. It changes to meet your growing baby's needs and is easy to digest, especially if your baby was born early.
• Breastmilk reduces some illnesses and diseases in babies and breastfeeding parents. It protects your baby from infections and illness. Your baby will have a lower risk of asthma, allergies, obesity, diabetes and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It also helps your baby's eyes and brain develop. Breastfed babies are less likely to have ear infections and digestion issues. Breastfeeding is good for parents too! Breastfeeding can help you lose weight, keeps your bones healthy and can help lower your risk for breast, cervical and ovarian cancer.
• Breastfeeding saves time and money. WIC Breastfeeding parents receive larger food packages and can receive benefits for one year instead of 6 months for non-breastfeeding parents. There is also no buying, measuring or warming milk -babies can be fed at your chest anytime and anywhere. Because of the health benefits of breastmilk your baby may be sick less often meaning less time away from work or school and less doctor visits.

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Did you know?

• 81% of clients enrolled in WIC at CMDHD initiate breastfeeding
• In 2024 CMDHD gave out 60 breast pumps to eligible WIC clients
• CMDHD WIC offers breastfeeding peer counselors to help you on your breastfeeding journey

Our breastfeeding peer counselors are here to help you make an informed decision on how to feed your baby. Our peers have real life breastfeeding experience and can help get you off to a good start. Some of the services offered are:

 

• One-on-one support during pregnancy to help answer questions.
• Someone available by phone in the evenings and weekends.
• Help as soon as the baby arrives.
• No cost to WIC eligible families.
 

Breastfeeding support is available to anyone that resides in Arenac, Clare, Gladwin, Isabella, Osceola and Roscommon counties. For more information call or text your local breastfeeding peer counselor today!

 

 

You can also text our breastfeeding warmline at 989-422-8275. If you aren't able to reach your peer counselor, contact the Michigan WIC Warmline!

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Are you looking for answers to your questions but aren't sure where to find good information? You've come to the right place!


Want to learn more about hand expression and nursing in the first few days? Check out: https://firstdroplets.com/


Ready, Set, Baby has information and checklists on how to prepare before delivery, when you get home from the hospital and going back to work or school. They also have a great section for partners and common concerns. Find more info at: https://www.readysetbabyonline.com/


The Michigan WIC website has info on lots of frequently asked questions: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/assistance-programs/wic/breast-chestfeeding-resources-for-families


Legal Rights
Check out the US Breastfeeding Committee (USBC)'s website for more information about the The Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) for Nursing Mothers Act and what is legal protection you have regarding working and breastfeeding. https://www.usbreastfeeding.org/the-pump-act-explained.html


If you need additional support from your healthcare provider to support your pumping needs at work check out this resource to share with your provider: https://pregnantatwork.org/healthcare-providers/


Nursing parents are entitled to reasonable break time and a private space to pump at work for up to a year after you deliver. Check out the Department Of Labor website here: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pump-at-work


Michigan Breastfeeding Network provides information to help advocate for breastfeeding in situations involving child custody concerns, incarceration or tips when your child is attending daycare. You can find information at https://mibreastfeeding.org/tools/


Milk Expression & Bottle Feeding
Want to know if your breast flange is the correct size? Look here for information on how to measure and what to look for: https://www.spectrababyusa.com/guide/


If you'd rather watch a video here is a great one from IABLE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpAnNNpRwx8

 

Paced bottle feeding is a great way to let your baby control their feeding when you are offering a bottle. Here is a great video that demonstrates paced feeding: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3-cq5GdlJo


Videos
Successful Breastfeeding Begins Right at Birth
Positions for Breastfeeding
Ready, Set, Baby Breastfeeding Class
Feeding Your Newborn


Helpful Links
baby gooroo
La Leche Leage USA
Michigan Breastfeeding Network
USDA

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*Breastfeeding initiation of client enrolled in WIC prenatally

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