BREASTFEEDING PROMOTION & SUPPORT WPPM #630-13 Subject: Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program Item: Contacts

Revised California WIC Policy and Procedure Manual Page 1 of 2 November 26, 2025 PURPOSE: To provide guidance on Breastfeeding Peer Counselor (BFPC) Program contacts. POLICY: I. All local agencies (LA) with a BFPC Program must ensure that Peer Counselors (PCs) contact their assigned BFPC Program participants to promote and support breastfeeding. PROCEDURES: I. Frequency of Contacts A. The LA must meet the following minimum contact frequency intervals: 1. Prenatal participants: a. Every 4 weeks. b. Every 1-2 weeks in the last month before the expected delivery date. 2. Postpartum participants: a. Within 24 hours, or as soon as possible, if the participant reports a problem with breastfeeding. Follow up consistently until the problem is resolved. b. Every 2-3 days in the first week postpartum. c. Weekly for the rest of the first 4 weeks postpartum. d. Every 4 weeks for infants from 1 month to 6 months of age. e. 1-2 weeks before returning to work or school and 2-3 business days after the participant returns to work or school. f. If a participant is provided with a breast pump, ensure that timely follow-up is provided. Refer to WPPM 620-20. B. Topics of discussion during each contact must be: 1. Based on the participant’s specific needs. 2. Consistent with guidance provided in the USDA Breastfeeding Curriculum. 3. Within the PC scope of practice. Refer to When to Yield: Guidelines for Referring to an IBCLC/HCP/CPA. II. Communication A. LA staff must ensure that BFPC Program participant contacts are two-way interactions that facilitate open communication and engagement. Contacts

BREASTFEEDING PROMOTION & SUPPORT WPPM #630-13 Subject: Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program Item: Contacts

Revised November 26, 2025 California WIC Policy and Procedure Manual Page 2 of 2 include interactions by telephone, in person, in a hospital, at home, or electronically (e.g., videoconference). B. When contacting participants electronically or via phone, staff must protect participants’ privacy and confidentiality and use CDPH/WIC approved platforms. Refer to WPPM 220-20 and 220-30. C. When posting BFPC Program content on social media, staff must: 1. Protect participants’ confidentiality and ensure that personal information is not revealed. 2. Have participants sign a photo release form if they are recognizable in the photo. 3. Follow LA-developed guidelines on social media usage. III. Documentation A. BFPC Program staff must document all contacts on a regular basis. Contacts must be documented in the CDPH/WIC approved management information system (MIS). 1. Incomplete or attempted contacts that are not two-way interactions and do not meet contact frequency requirements must also be documented into the approved MIS. B. BFPC Program staff must use the CDPH/WIC downtime process, or an LA-developed alternate process, during a loss of network connectivity, a power outage, or an outage of the CDPH/WIC approved MIS. Staff must input the data into the CDPH/WIC approved MIS as soon as access is available or at least within 3 business days. AUTHORITY: USDA Breastfeeding Curriculum WIC Breastfeeding Model Components for Peer Counseling Allowable Costs for Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Funds, USDA CROSS-REFERENCE: WPPM 220-20 Virtual Breastfeeding Support and Telelactation WPPM 220-30 Telehealth Privacy and Confidentiality WPPM 620-20 Breast Pumps: Issuance, Documentation, and Follow-Up/Support RESOURCE: Breastfeeding Peer Counselor (BFPC) Program Guidance Manual When to Yield: Guidelines for Referring to an IBCLC/HCP/CPA