Breastfeeding 101

Breastfeeding 101

Why Breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding provides the best nutrition for your baby, offering essential vitamins, nutrients, and antibodies that protect against illness while supporting both physical and emotional growth. It’s also a beautiful way to bond with your baby. For moms, breastfeeding offers benefits like speeding up recovery by helping the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size, reducing health risks such as breast and ovarian cancer, and even helping to shed pregnancy weight faster. As part of WIC’s commitment to healthy families, we offer comprehensive breastfeeding education, resources, and support to moms in Dallas.

Portrait of little girl eating fruits in the kitchen with mom

WIC Breastfeeding Support Services in Dallas County

WIC Greater Dallas Program promotes and supports exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and continued breastfeeding for the first year. Whether you’re a first-time mom or looking to build on your breastfeeding experience, WIC is here to help! Our services include:

Meet with our certified lactation consultants at each of our 16 clinics for personalized guidance on breastfeeding techniques, latch assistance, and tips for overcoming common challenges. Our Breastfeeding Peer Counselors are all former or current WIC participants who are currently breastfeeding or have breastfed their own children in the past. They are highly trained and motivated to help each Mom reach her breastfeeding goals.

Attend free WIC breastfeeding classes in Dallas County to learn the basics—from proper positioning to understanding baby’s hunger cues. Our classes are designed for expectant and new moms, as well as support partners.

Get support from other moms who have breastfed and understand the journey. Our peer counselors are available for encouragement, tips, and real-life advice.

WIC participants may be eligible to receive breastfeeding supplies such as breast pumps and milk storage bags, based on individual needs and circumstances.

If you have a question or concern regarding breastfeeding your infant, you can call our Breastfeeding Hotline at 214-670-7222 and get help from one of our highly trained Breastfeeding Peer Counselors or Lactation Consultants. This number is answered outside of normal business hours, on Holidays and weekends by an IBCLC.
Asian mother breastfeeding baby at home.

Top 5 Reasons to Breastfeed

  1. Breastfeeding is more than just food. Physical contact helps babies bond to their mothers and to feel more secure.
  2. Breastfed babies are healthier with fewer ear infections, less constipation & diarrhea, fewer allergies and asthma.
  3. Breastfeeding saves money as formula is very expensive and formula fed babies have higher health care costs.
  4. Breastfeeding helps the environment as it is natural and does not create the by-products that formula does.
  5. Breastfeeding moms lose their weight more quickly and have reduced rates of breast and ovarian cancers throughout their lives.