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The power of a WIC breastfeeding peer counselor
As a breastfeeding peer counselor, you have the unique opportunity to be a champion for moms throughout their breastfeeding journey by providing information, sharing experiences, and being a link to other breastfeeding resources in the community.
Why Breastfeeding fact 1:
Breastfeeding protects infants against SIDS.
Why Breastfeeding Fact 2:
Breastfeeding decreases postpartum depression.
Why Breastfeeding Fact 3:
Involving the baby’s father in breastfeeding education and support increases breastfeeding rates.
Why breastfeeding
The health benefits of breastfeeding for mother and baby are clear. Breastfeeding is no longer a lifestyle choice, but a public health decision.
Three out of five women stop breastfeeding sooner than they planned.
Under-resourced women and women of color face greater obstacles to achieving their breastfeeding goals.
Lack of support in the work place, lack of generational support at home, and literacy and language barriers contribute to differences in outcomes.
High Impact Behaviors
A high impact behavior is an action that is EFFECTIVE and EFFICIENT. As a peer counselor, you have the ability to accomplish it. It is an action that you can do today. Let’s get started!
Talk
Talk about the importance of breastfeeding. Start with, “What have you heard about breastfeeding?” to begin a safe conversation.
Prepare
Prepare mothers for their hospital experience. Tell mothers about the practices that support breastfeeding, such as rooming-in and skin-to-skin.
Refer
Refer mothers to the continuum of care. WIC participants should see their prenatal provider regularly.
Our suggested offering for peer counselors