Division of Community Nutrition

Subject: Breastfeeding Education Policy: BF 02.0 Reference: §C.F.R. 246.11 Effective: January 6, 2025 Supersedes: March 14, 2022

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I. Policy:

Local agencies must provide breastfeeding education to pregnant and breastfeeding participants.

II. Procedure(s):

A. Breastfeeding education must be participant-centered and in alignment with the goals and objectives of the Virginia WIC Annual State and Local Agency Nutrition Education and Breastfeeding Plans.

B. Nutrition staff must inform all pregnant participants of the following WIC benefits for breastfeeding participants:

1) Longer participation in the program- breastfeeding participants are certified for one year and non-breastfeeding participants are only certified for 6 months. 2) A greater quantity and variety of foods, with fully breastfeeding participants (those who do not receive any formula from WIC) receive receiving the greatest quantity and variety of foods. 3) Individualized anticipatory guidance and education to support each participant in achieving their personal breastfeeding goals. 4) Access to staff with specialized breastfeeding training. 5) Breastfeeding supplies and aids, such as breast pumps.

C. Nutrition staff or Breastfeeding Peer Counselors will educate each pregnant WIC participant on breastmilk hand expression utilizing:

1) WIC Breastfeeding Curriculum Level 2. 2) A breast model.

D. WIC staff will offer:

1) Each pregnant participant with a BAPT (Breastfeeding Attrition Prediction Tool) survey at certification. 2) BAPT survey results review and scoring. 3) Targeted counseling based on the BAPT screening. 4) Educational material highlighting sections that address the participant’s social support, breastfeeding knowledge, and confidence level. 5) Participants with a prenatal breastfeeding class within 3 months of certification. 6) Participants with a baby behavior class in the 3rd trimester.