Division of Community Nutrition

Subject: Personal Use Electric Breast Pumps Policy: BF 04.2 Reference: C.F.R. §246.2 Effective: January 6, 2025 Supersedes: August 12, 2013

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I. Policy:

Personal use electric breast pumps and attachment kits will be given to WIC breastfeeding participants with an adequate or stable milk volume to maintain production and collect breast milk. Personal use electric breast pumps will not be issued to proxies. Personal use electric breast pumps may be issued to breastfeeding WIC employees who are certified WIC participants.

II. Procedure:

A. Give personal use electric breast pumps and attachment kits based on the following priority:

1) Priority 1: Participant/infant separation (work, school)

2) Priority 2: Occasional separation

3) Priority 3: Special needs – at the discretion of the district breastfeeding coordinator / designee

B. The breastfeeding coordinator / designee shall:

1) Ensure the participant:

a. Is enrolled in the WIC program as fully breastfeeding or mostly breastfeeding (infant is receiving less than 50% infant formula package) prior to issuing a personal use electric breast pump.

b. Has successfully breastfed for at least four (4) weeks prior to the issuance of a personal use electric breast pump.

c. Agrees to attempt to breastfeed for six (6) months or more.

d. Agrees to use the personal use electric breast pump for future children within the next three (3) years. Replacement pumps may be issued for reasons of manufacturer defects or recall at the discretion of the breastfeeding coordinator/designee.

e. Communicate directly with the manufacturer to attain warranty replacement.

2) Educate the participant on pumping frequency to maintain milk production.

3) Assure the participant is able to assemble, disassemble, clean and appropriately maintain the pump.

Division of Community Nutrition

Subject: Personal Use Electric Breast Pumps Policy: BF 04.2 Reference: C.F.R. §246.2 Effective: January 6, 2025 Supersedes: August 12, 2013

Page 2 of 2

4) Assure the flange size is appropriate for the participant per the manufacturer’s guidance.

5) Provide USDA guidance information on the handling and storage of breast milk.

6) Instruct the participant to discontinue the use of the pump and contact the breastfeeding coordinator / designee if discomfort occurs.

7) Report the loss or damage of personal use electric breast pumps to the State WIC Office and document in Crossroads notes.

8) Document follow-up in the appropriate (per staff role) section of Crossroads within one week of issuance to participants who receive a personal use electric breast pump.

C. The breastfeeding coordinator / designee shall not issue a personal use electric breast pump to a participant if she has been issued a multi-user electric breast pump and has not returned it.

D. Accountability and security of personal use electric breast pumps:

1) The breastfeeding coordinator / designee is responsible for the care, security, storage, and inventory of the personal use electric breast pumps.

a. All personal use electric breast pumps and attachment kits shall be stored in a secure area.

b. All personal use electric attachment kits shall be stored in original, unopened packaging.

2) The participant shall sign the Pump Loan Agreement.

3) The breastfeeding coordinator / designee shall be responsible for the inventory of personal use electric breast pumps.