What is WIC?
WIC is a special Breastfeeding, Supplemental Food and Nutrition Program for:

• Pregnant Women
• Breastfeeding Women for up to 1 year
• Women who have recently had a baby up to 6 months after delivery
• Infants
• Children up to their 5^th birthday who are at health risk due to inadequate nutrition.

WIC is a federally funded program that stands for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

WIC Foods are selected to meet nutrient needs such as calcium, iron, folic acid and vitamins A and C.

WIC Clients redeem their food benefits using a Bridge Card at approved retail grocery stores and pharmacies.

Who is eligible for WIC?

Applicants must meet all of the following 4 criteria:

1. Fall into one of the following categories:

• Pregnant Women
• Breastfeeding Women up to 1 year from delivery
• Postpartum Women up to 6 months from delivery
• Infants
• Children up to their 5th birthday

2. Resident of the state of Michigan. U.S. Citizenship is not required.

3. Income eligible (at or below 185% of Federal Poverty Guidelines or on Medicaid or food stamps)

4. Determined by WIC clinic staff to be at nutrition and/or health risk.

Some typical health risks are: low blood iron or anemia; too much or too little weight gain (for pregnant women and children), poor diet, chronic disease, and developmental disabilities.

How much do services cost ?

WIC services are free to eligible applicants and participants.

What must my income be to qualify for WIC?

Gross income* (before taxes) cannot exceed the following amounts:

Please note that due to rounding the periodic (weekly/monthly, etc.) total when annualized may exceed the annual amount allowed. This is acceptable as long as the periodic pay does not exceed the weekly or monthly amount allowed.

Note: A pregnant woman is counted as one (1) + the number of infants expected - (1 or more) when determining income eligibility for the total economic unit.

What must I bring to an appointment ?

• Proof of income or Medicaid Card
• Proof of identification for the applicant (drivers license, birth certificate)
• Proof of applicant's address
• Proof of pregnancy, if available (for Pregnant Women)
• Immunization record (for children)

Applicant should contact the local WIC office for more specific information.

What happens when someone applies for WIC ?

• Review of income, residency, and identity. 
• Review of health and medical history.
• Review of usual dietary intake and eating patterns.
• Review of immunization record (children only).
• Height & weight measurements taken.
• Hemoglobin test performed (over 6 months of age).
• Meet with health professional for determination of eligibility for program.
• Discuss foods that will be received from WIC.
• Learn nutrition & health information applicable for participant.
• Learn about other helpful services & resources in the community.
• Learn about how to use the WIC coupons.
• Make next appointment to pickup benefits and receive additional nutrition education.

The initial appointment can take from 1-2 hours. The other appointments during the certification period usually take 30 minutes to 1 hour. Depending on the individual, the next appointment may be in 1, 2 or 3 months.

Where can I purchase my WIC Foods ?

Alpena County

Montmorency County

Cheboygan County

Presque Isle County

How long can someone be on the program ?

Depending on their WIC category, participants are certified for a specific length of time. At the end of the certification period, participants can repeat the certification process to be recertified. The general certification periods by WIC category are:

• Pregnant women are certified up to 6 weeks past their estimated date of delivery.
• Breastfeeding women are certified for up to 1 year from date of delivery as long as they continue to breastfeed.
• Postpartum women are certified for 6 months from the date of delivery.
• Infants added prior to 6 months of age are certified up to their first birthday.
• Children and infants added after 6 months of age are certified for 6 months.

If someone is working, can they apply for WIC ?

Yes, WIC looks at income, not whether or not someone is working.

Can someone be on WIC and food stamps at the same time ?

Yes.

If someone is no longer eligible for food stamps, are they eligible for WIC ?

Yes, they may possibly still be income eligible.

Can someone be on both WIC and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) ?

No, an individual may not be on both programs at the same time. Although, a family may have some family members on WIC and others on Commodity Supplemental Food Program.

How does someone apply for WIC ?

Contact the nearest WIC agency or call 1-800-26-BIRTH for this information.

Where can I get more information about WIC ?

Check out the following website: www.fns.usda.gov/wic

Email address for the WIC Division, Michigan Department of Community Health: MichiganWic@michigan.gov

What does WIC provide ?

Supplemental Food. Nutritious foods are provided to supplement and help improve the diet.

• Women and children may receive milk, cheese, eggs, juices rich in Vitamin C, cereals rich in iron, and dry peas/beans or peanut butter, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads or tortillas.
• Breastfeeding women, who do not receive formula from WIC, may also receive tuna fish, as well as extra cheese, juice & beans.
• Starting at 6 months of age, infants are eligible to receive infant cereal and infant juice, baby foods in jars.
• For infants who are partially breastfed or not breastfed, WIC provides iron-fortified formula.
• Fresh produce is provided to many WIC participants through Project FRESH, a Farmer's Market Nutrition Program.

Participants receive benefits for the foods which they may redeem at any of the WIC authorized retail stores throughout Michigan using a Bridge Card.

Nutrition Education and High Risk Nutrition Counseling. Nutrition education is offered to all WIC participants or their care givers. The education must relate to the nutrition need of the individual and be of interest to them. Participants with high risk nutrition conditions are referred to a registered dietitian for a nutrition care plan & counseling. Common nutrition education topics include nutrition during pregnancy, infant feeding, nutrition during childhood, and wise food shopping. WIC encourages women to breastfeed because of many health benefits for both baby and mother.

New WIC Food Videos

      General Overview

        Fruits and Vegetables

        Whole Grain Bread and Tortillas

Using Your Shopping List to Buy WIC Foods

WIC Foods for Pregnancy

      Michigan Fish Advisory

WIC Foods for Exclusively Breastfeeding Mom and Baby

WIC Foods for Partial Breastfeeding Mom and Baby

WIC Foods for Non-Breastfeeding Mom and Baby

WIC Foods for Children

Spotlight: The new Food Packages Promote Healthy Choices

WIC Breastfeeding Benefits

WIC Helps Moms and Babies with Breastfeeding

Human Milk, Formula or Both.... What's Best?

What Breastfeeding Promotion and Support Does WIC Provide ?

WIC Helps Moms and Babies with Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is the most natural, healthy, and loving gift a mother can give to her baby. Mother's milk has everything a baby needs to grow and stay healthy.

• WIC provides answers to breastfeeding questions.
• WIC has feeding specialists who can help moms and babies with breastfeeding problems.
• WIC helps Moms who continue breastfeeding when they go back to work or school.  Breastfeeding mothers may receive a breast pump to use.

WIC Moms who are breastfeeding can continue to receive a food package for up to one year. 

Each month a fully breastfeeding mother may receive:

• 5 ½ gallons milk
• 3 pounds cheese
• 2 dozen eggs
• 7 cans juice
• 36 ounces cereal
• 18 ounces of peanut butter
• 4 cans tuna
• 2 pounds carrots
• 16 ounces of dried beans or peas

Even Moms who breastfeed only part time can receive these foods:

• 5 ½ gallons milk
• 2 pounds cheese
• 2 dozen eggs
• 6 cans juice
• 36 ounces cereal
• 18 ounces of peanut butter or 16 ounces of dried beans/peas

Breastfeeding is Best For Baby

Breastmilk....

• Helps your baby grow and stay healthy
• Is the perfect food meant for your baby
• Changes to meet your growing baby's needs
• Breastmilk is gentle to baby's stomach - It's easy to digest so baby doesn't spit up as much
• Means less colic, constipation, and diarrhea for your baby
• Protects your baby from illness - breastfed babies have fewer colds, fewer ear infections, fewer respiratory infections
• Helps brain development and may improve your child's IQ
• Lowers the risk of your baby developing asthma

Breastfeeding....

• Decreases chances of your baby having allergies
• Lessens the risk of your baby developing juvenile diabetes
• Protects against Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
• Decreases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Breastfed Babies...

• Have a lower risk of developing certain childhood cancers
• Are less likely to become obese later in life
• Are healthier and happier

For more information about the importance of feeding your baby breastmilk, contact your local WIC office or call 1-800-26-BIRTH.

Breastfeeding is Great For Mothers Too

• Breastmilk is always ready - NO mixing, measuring, heating, or clean-up
• Saves money - there is nothing to buy
• Night feedings are quick and easy
• You will enjoy being close to your baby, feeding times are warm and cozy
• Helps you relax and cuddle with your family - read to your other children while breastfeeding
• Decreases your risk of having breast cancer and ovarian cancer
• Breastfeeding helps decrease insulin requirements in diabetic mothers
• Gives protection against developing osteoporosis (thinning of the bones)
• Means fewer work days missed being home with a sick baby
• Is your  very special gift to your baby

If you want to know more about the benefits of breastfeeding, call your local WIC office or call 1-800-26-BIRTH

Questions and Answers About Breastfeeding

1. How long should I breastfeed?
   Your doctor may recommend breastfeeding for the first year of your baby's life. Any amount of breastfeeding is better than none. WIC helps moms for up to one year when they breastfeed. Breastfeeding moms can ask WIC about:
• Getting started with breastfeeding
• How to know if baby is getting enough milk
• Planning for going back to work or school while still breastfeeding
• How dads and family members can help support breastfeeding
• Questions or concerns as they come up

1. When Do I Start?
   It's a good idea to talk about breastfeeding with your health care provider before you have your baby. This way you can have a good idea of what to expect. When you arrive at the hospital, tell the nurses that you plan to breastfeed. Ask them to not feed your baby formula and to avoid giving him or her a pacifier.

1. How do I Start?
   Being close with your baby as soon as possible after delivery gets breastfeeding off to the best start. Ask the hospital staff for help with putting your baby to the breast as soon as possible after delivery. Some hospitals place your baby on your stomach in the delivery room. Believe it or not, your baby will naturally crawl to your breast and begin feeding. Keep baby in your room during the day and night so you can feed often.  Be patient with yourself. It takes a few days for baby and mom to get used to each other. It's like learning to dance; practice makes perfect!

1. Will it Hurt?
   You may have tender nipples in the first few days, but soreness and pain should not be part of the breastfeeding process. If you experience these, you need to get some help. Most often it is a simple matter of changing baby's feeding position. Until you and your baby get to know each other, it may take some practice for your baby to learn to latch on and nurse easily.

1. How do I Know I Have Enough Milk?
   Feeding often is the way to build your milk supply.  Newborn babies will want to eat every 2 to 3 hours or 8 to 12 times in 24 hours.  In the beginning, feedings will last about 30 minutes.  Nursing for as long and as often as baby wants is important. Your breasts will adjust to make the amount of milk your baby wants and needs. Your baby may nurse more often during growth spurts and your body will adjust to increase your milk supply.

1. Can I go Back to Work or School?
   Breastfeeding does not have to end because you want to go back to work or school. You can do what works best for you. Many mothers pump their breastmilk and store it in bottles when they return to work or school. These should be kept in the refrigerator or freezer for use when you can't be there to breastfeed.

The WIC Program can help you with breastfeeding. If you think you qualify for WIC, contact your local WIC Office or call 1-800-26-BIRTH.

WIC Project FRESH - Farmer's Market Nutrition Program

What Is Project FRESH?
Project FRESH is a program that makes fresh produce available to WIC Clients, by using Michigan farmers' markets. This program partners with the Michigan State University Extension, local farmers and Farmers Markets to promote healthy eating and fruit and vegetable consumption

Who Is Eligible For Project FRESH Coupons? Women and children (ages 1-4) currently enrolled in the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program can get coupons for fresh fruits and vegetables. Women who are either pregnant or breastfeeding are targeted to help meet their special nutritional needs.

How Are Project FRESH Coupons Issued? WIC local agency staff identify eligible participants and issue coupons at the agency.

How Do Project FRESH Coupons Work? Each client receives a $20 booklet of ten $2 coupons to be used June 1 through October 31 in the year the booklet is issued. Coupons can only be used to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at authorized farmers' markets.

How Do Participants Know Which Farmers' Markets Are Authorized?
All farmers participating in Project Fresh will have a laminated yellow poster stating: "Project FRESH Coupons Accepted Here." In FY 2005, 76 Michigan farmers' markets and roadsie stands were authorized to accept Project Fresh coupons.

What May Be Purchased With Project FRESH Coupons?
Participants may buy locally grown fresh fruits or vegetables, but are especially encouraged to buy broccoli, carrots, potatoes, squash, peaches, apples and tomatoes. A variety of produce rich in vitamins A, C, and folic acid are emphasized.

How Do Participants Learn About FRESH Produce?
Project FRESH participants receive a 15-20 minute food and nutrition presentation. Presentations may include a food demonstration and taste test of recipes prepared with fresh fruits and vegetables. A nutrition education video may also be shown.

How Do Participants Receive More Nutrition Education?
They are given an opportunity to enroll in Michigan State University Extension EFNEP and FNP classes. EFNEP/FNP uses an "Eating Right Is Basic" (ERIB) approach to teach basic nutrition concepts, food-buying skills, proper food storage, sanitation and management of available resources. Project FRESH also collaborates with the 5-A-Day campaign and distributes 5-A-Day for Better Health materials to Project FRESH clients.

WIC Nutrition Education

Nutrition Education

WIC nutrition education assists WIC participants with:

• Infant and toddler feeding
• Breastfeeding
• Prenatal weight gain
• Anemia or iron deficiency
• Child growth and development and other nutrition related health issues.

WIC Nutrition Education is now available online. It's fun, convenient and easy to use. Learn more about childhood feeding issues and healthy meals and snacks. Ask your local WIC agency how this can count as a nutrition education session. Go to http://www.wichealth.org/ and follow the directions. After completion, send online to WIC.

On-Line WIC Nutrition Education - www2.WICHealth.org

      Pregnant Women

        Food Safety For Moms-To-Be

          Children Ages 0 - 1

        Baby's First Cup

          Starting Your Infant on Solid Foods

          Support For Breastfeeding Moms

          Children Ages 1 - 5

          Keep Your Family Safe From E. Coli

          Help Your Child Make Good Eating Choices

          Fruits and Vegetables Grow Healthy Kids

          Family

          Eat Well- Spend Less

          Steps to a Healthier Family

          Healthy Whole Grains

          Parents

          Be Healthy with Fruits and Vegetables

          Be Healthy As Your Baby Grows

          Preparing For a Healthy Pregnancy

Low Fat Milk is a Healthy Choice for you and Your Family

Make Half Your Grains Whole Grains

A Guide for Buying Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

A Guide for Buying Fresh Fruits and Vegetables When Sold By the Pound

Healthy Hints For Pregnant Women

Give your baby a great start in life. What you eat, the amount of weight you gain and the healthy things you do during your pregnancy can help your baby for its entire life.

Do I have to eat for two?

Your energy and nutrient needs are certainly greater when you are pregnant, but being pregnant does not mean you have to eat twice as much. Most pregnant women only need about 300 extra calories daily.

Choose a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain cereals & breads, low fat meats, beans, nuts and dairy.

For women of childbearing age and children under 15, the Michigan Department of Community Health advises extra caution about eating Michigan fish. Some Michigan fish contain toxic chemicals that may be harmful if eaten too often. In addition, women of childbearing age, particularly those pregnant or nursing, and children under 15 should not eat the following fish due to mercury levels: Swordfish, Shark, King Mackerel, Tilefish

For a copy of the Michigan Fish Advisory, including information about mercury in fish, click here.

Supplemental Vitamins & Minerals

A well-balanced varied diet from the 5 food groups can usually provide most of the vitamins and minerals needed for pregnancy, except for iron and folic acid. Your doctor or registered dietitian may recommend a vitamin and mineral supplement to help ensure you are getting the iron, folic acid and other important nutrients you need.

Fluids

Pregnant women need extra fluids. Drink at least 8 - 12 cups daily. Some examples of fluids include milk, juice, water, and soup.

How much weight should I gain?

The amount of weight to gain during your pregnancy will depend on how much you weighed before you became pregnant. Every woman is different.

• If you were at a healthy weight for height before becoming pregnant, you can gain 25 to 35 pounds.
• If you were underweight, you can gain 28 to 40 pounds.
• If you were overweight, you can gain 15 to 25 pounds.

Short women should gain at the low end of their range. Teenagers should plan to gain at the high end of their range.

If you are underweight, choose the largest number in the range. If you are overweight, choose the smallest.

It is important to gain weight slowly and steadily over the 9 months. Usually 2-4 pounds are gained in the first three months and 1 pound per week after that.

Discuss with your doctor how much weight you should gain during pregnancy.

How can I deal with discomforts of pregnancy?

Women experience many changes and challenges during pregnancy. Common ones are:

Morning Sickness

Morning sickness or nausea usually happens during the first three months of pregnancy. In spite of its name, it can occur at any time of day. Some helpful ways to cope are:

• Eat some crackers or dry cereal before getting up in the morning.
• Get out of bed slowly.
• Eat small portions of food at meals and snacks to avoid having an empty stomach.
• Drink water or other beverages between meals.
• Avoid spicy and strong flavored foods.
• If the smell of food bothers you, ask somebody else to cook for you.

Constipation

Constipation can be a problem in the last few months of pregnancy. Sometimes it is due to not enough fluid or fiber, or lack of exercise. Some ways to help avoid constipation are:

• Eat a high fiber diet, but start slowly, increasing the amount of fiber a little each day.
• Foods rich in fiber are: whole wheat breads, bran cereals, fruits, vegetables and cooked dry beans. Prunes, prune juice and figs are very high in fiber and may also help.
• Drink plenty of fluids (at least 8 cups a day) and stay physically active.

Heartburn

As the baby grows, he or she adds pressure to the mother's body. During the last few months of pregnancy the pressure can cause heartburn. Consider the following tips:

• Eat small, frequent meals.
• After a meal, sit comfortably, but do not lie down.
• Avoid spicy and fatty meals.
• Eat slowly, chewing foods well.

You can make a difference...Drop the drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes! Only take medications after your doctor's approval.

For more information about pregnancy, check out the My Web MD website at http://my.webmd.com/ or Nutri-Topics: Nutrition During Pregnancy & Breastfeeding at www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/etext/000049.html#q5.

If you would like to know more about this subject and get individualized information about it, contact the WIC office in our area.

The WIC Program can help during pregnancy . . . If you think you qualify for WIC, contact your local WIC Office at 1-800-26BIRTH.

Smart Moves When Feeding Your Baby

What do I feed my baby?

The American Academy of Pediatrics says that breastmilk is the best milk for babies during their first year.

Whether you chose to feed your baby breastmilk or formula, know that you are giving them the best nutrition they can have to grow and develop.

Feeding time is a special time to bond with your baby. You show your baby your love and care.

When can I start giving my baby other foods?

Feed your baby breastmilk or formulas throughout the first year of life. Add solid foods when your baby shows signs of being ready -- usually between 6 and 12 months.

Make learning to eat solid foods a pleasant experience for your baby. Wait to start solid foods until your baby is ready to participate in feeding. Clues your baby may be ready for other foods include:

• Able to hold his or her head up
• Able to sit alone or with support
• Opens his or her mouth when food is presented
• Turns head away if doesn't want it
• Able to use lips to work food off a spoon
• Able to move food from the front of the tongue to the back of the mouth instead of forward and out of the mouth

When introducing solid foods, start with iron-fortified rice baby cereal mixed with warmed breastmilk or formula. Start with thinned cereal from a spoon. As your baby gets better at eating, thicken the cereal and eventually leave a few lumps. As your baby improves, he or she will be eating at least a couple tablespoons of cereal twice a day. It could take a month or more for your baby to master eating cereal from a spoon.

Once thick cereal is mastered, then feed 1 to 2 tablespoons of pureed or fork-mashed fruits or vegetables along with the cereal 2 to 3 times a day. Offer one new food every 3 or 4 days and watch for signs of intolerance (rash, spitting up or diarrhea).

Add foods in the following order:

By the end of the first year, most babies are able to finger feed themselves soft foods and drink from a cup.

Enjoy this new adventure in feeding your little one!

How is my baby growing?

Follow the growth of your baby with your doctor to be sure your baby is growing enough.

Babies usually double their birth weight in four to six months and triple that weight by one year of age.

For more information about feeding infants, check out Ellyn Satter's website at http://www.ellynsatter.com/ You can find The American Academy of Pediatrics website at http://www.aap.org/

The WIC Program can provide additional information about feeding infants. If you believe your baby qualifies for WIC, contact your local WIC Office at 1-800-26BIRTH.

Feeding Your Toddler

During the toddler period, your child will continue to develop his or her sense of autonomy. At times, young children may refuse to eat certain foods or get "stuck" on a specific food. This is only a phase and even a way of asserting themselves. As long as your child does not refuse all foods of the same food group, it will be ok.

Offer 3 meals a days with planned snacks in between. A serving size for a toddler is smaller than an adult portion. A child's serving size is approximately ¼ to ½ an adult's portion size. Your child's appetite can vary - some days they won't eat much at all and other days they will want seconds!

Keep offering new foods

Most children learn to like a food after it has been offered many times. Offer foods often and show your joy with eating foods. Children may not like certain foods because they are mixed with other foods or full of mysterious sauces. So, skip the casserole if your child does not like it and serve the same foods separately on the plate.

• Be sure to tell the food is good tasting without over emphasizing it.
• Keep your opinion to yourself about the foods you do not like.
• Serve the same food in different forms.
• Offer the new food first, followed by familiar foods that your child already likes.
• Offer you kid the same foods the rest of the family is having.

How well is my child growing?

Have your doctor follow your child's growth on a growth chart. This will give you a precise idea of how your child is growing.

If you feel your child is not growing enough: check with your doctor first to see if your child needs to eat more. Children have a very small stomach. They often need to eat 5 to 6 small meals a day to get the amount of foods they need to grow.

If you feel your child is overweight: check with your doctor first to see if your child has become overweight. Restricting calories is not a good choice. Instead, give your child a chance to grow into the weight as he or she gets taller. Provide healthy food choices and help him or her spend more time being physically active.

• Keep your home stocked with breads, cereals, fruits, vegetables, low-fat milk products (for children over 2 years) and lean meats. Don't overdo snack foods like pop, chips, candy, etc.
• Serve meals and snacks about the same time everyday.
• Make a house rule: eat only at the dining table.
• Reward kids with your love and attention, but never with food.
• Talk to your child about feelings and how to solve problems, other than using food as a form of escaping from them.
• Make fun activities a part of the things you do together as a family.
• Limit the amount of TV that you and your family watch to about two hours a day.

How can meal times be pleasant?

Meal time can be a great opportunity to teach positive eating behaviors. Have your family sit at the table to eat and socialize together.

• Turn off the TV during meal times
• Focus on each other
• Set a good example by eating calmly and taking pleasure in the meal moment

Make meal time a great interaction between you and your child. It's important for you to provide structure and limits so your child has an opportunity to make decisions that are safe. Here's an approach you can use to do that:

You can decide: which foods you provide to your child, the time and the place where foods are eaten.

Let your child decide: which foods to eat and how much.

This approach for creating a positive feeding relationship with your child was developed by Ellyn Satter. For more information, visit Ellyn Satter's website at: http://www.ellynsatter.com/

For more information about foods to feed children, click on The Food Guide Pyramid at:

http://www.mypyramid.gov/kids/index.html

The WIC Program can help answer your nutrition questions. If you believe your child qualifies for WIC, contact your local WIC Office at 1-800-26BIRTH.

Health Care Referrals

As an added benefit, WIC works closely with the health care community, receiving referrals from private and public health care providers and providing referrals as needed for health and social services.

WIC refers participants for immunizations, substance abuse counseling and treatment, prenatal care, smoking cessation, child health and lead screening, the Healthy Kids/MI Child program, Food Stamps and more.

For more help to quit smoking visit this site.

WIC encourages persons already receiving medical services to remain under their physicians' care. WIC also encourages well-child visits and routine health and dental care.

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 or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication and Compliance, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.