WIC - Women, Infants & Children

April - May 2025

World Immunization Week is April 24 - 30!

Reasons to Vaccinate:

• Strengthens your baby’s immune system
  • Vaccines help teach the immune system how to defend against germs. They protect your baby by helping build up their natural defenses.
• It is always better to prevent a disease than to treat one after it occurs.
• Vaccines are tested to ensure they can be given safely and effectively at the recommended ages.

Important Immunizations for your infant or child:

• Hepatitis B
• DTaP ((Diphtheria, Tetanus and acellular Pertussis)
• MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella)
• Polio

Make sure your child is up to date with all immunizations! Not sure if they are up to date? Contact their health care provider today!

Learn more about World Immunization Week from the World Health Organization

Breastfeeding Corner:

WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselors are moms too!

WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselors are specially trained paraprofessionals that are experienced at breastfeeding, trained to help solve breastfeeding concerns, and to know when medical help may be needed. We are available to all pregnant and nursing mothers both day and night to help you throughout your entire breastfeeding journey, from pregnancy prep to weaning. Whether you are experiencing a difficulty during breastfeeding, just learning to breastfeed, or just need someone in your corner to tell you what a great job you are doing, and to answer any questions or concerns that may come up.

Typical information and support for things like:

• Reasons to breastfeed
• How to address common barriers, including embarrassment, returning to work, and lack of support from family and friends
• Getting a good start with breastfeeding
• Maintaining a healthy milk supply
• Preventing common concerns such as sore nipples and engorgement
• Strategies for getting through the first weeks home with baby
• How to know breastfeeding is going well
• How to know when to call for help
• Resources, including breast pumps available to mothers

Breastfeeding Peer Counselors desire to help mothers achieve their own breastfeeding goals. We are able to provide basic breastfeeding information and support for WIC moms. We contact our mothers regularly during pregnancy and throughout the early days especially, right through to help in weaning. We can supply info and answer questions, and if needed we can refer you to the right health professionals for your individual needs.

Breastfeeding Questions? Call the office at 518-432-4033. Or call our peer counselor Jackie at 518-649-3885.

WIC Reminders:

Don't forget to use your benefits! Utilizing your WIC benefits helps our program receive appropriate funding to continue to serve our community.

Lactation Destination Club: Each month, our peer counselor holds a breastfeeding support group for pregnant and postpartum families to learn about different breastfeeding topics. Please call the office if you're interested in attending. More information is listed above.

Send in your WIC Medical Referral Forms. Please email or fax in yours or your child's WIC Medical Referral Form so we have the most up-to-date blood work and height and weight measurements.

Have breastfeeding questions? Call the WIC office at 518-432-4033 or peer counselor Jackie at 518-649-3885

Farmers' Market season starts in June!