Breastfeeding Basics
This thick, yellow “first milk” is rich in antibodies and protects newborns from infection.
What is colostrum?
A deep latch should include this part of the breast, not just the nipple.
What is the areola?
Milk supply works on this principle.
What is supply and demand?
This WIC staff member provides mother‑to‑mother support, basic breastfeeding help, and referrals for more complex issues.
What is a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor?
This painful issue is most often caused by a shallow latch and usually improves with better positioning.
What are sore nipples?
This is the most reliable sign that a baby is getting enough milk.
What is diaper output and weight gain?
This position is ideal for newborns with low tone or latch difficulty.
What is laid‑back breastfeeding?
This is the typical number of feeds per day for a newborn.
What is 8–12 times per day?
This monthly WIC Support group meets on the first Monday of each month.
What is the Breastfeeding Happy Hour?
Mothers often think they have this problem, but it’s usually a misunderstanding of normal newborn feeding patterns like cluster feeding.
What is perceived low milk supply?
Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for this many months.
What is 6 months?
Clicking sounds during feeding usually indicate this issue.
What is a shallow latch or poor seal?
Common practice for giving something other than just breastmilk to baby.
What is supplementing?
This occurs on the first Monday of each month at 9AM and 1PM.
What is the Prenatal Breastfeeding Class?
This condition makes breasts feel very full, firm, swollen and sometimes painful.
What is engorgement?
This bottle‑feeding method slows the flow and helps mimic breastfeeding rhythm.
What is paced bottle feeding?
This short phrase is used to explain how to latch baby.
What is "nose-to-nipple" positioning?
This is the recommended storage time for freshly pumped milk in the refrigerator.
What is up to 4 days?
This WIC benefit helps mothers returning, school, or baby is in NICU.
What is a breast pump?
This challenge involves a tender lump in the breast caused by milk not draining well and can lead to mastitis if not addressed.
What is a plugged duct?
This hormone triggers the milk ejection reflex (let‑down) and is released when the baby suckles.
What is oxytocin?
This position allows mom to hold baby at her side while supporting the back of the baby's neck. Often recommended a mother that has a had a C-section.
What is the football hold?
This technique—massaging the breast and using gentle compression during feeds or pumping—can increase milk flow and emptying.
What is breast compression?
This national website offers videos, tips, and parent‑friendly breastfeeding information created specifically for WIC families.
What is wicbreastfeeding.fns.usda.gov or WIC Breastfeeding website?
This breastfeeding complication includes fever, body aches, and a red, painful area on the breast, and may require medical treatment.
What is mastitis?