Breastfeeding and WIC
There is no better food than breast milk for a baby’s first year of life. Breastfeeding provides many health, nutritional and emotional benefits to both mother and baby. WIC mothers are encouraged to breastfeed their infants, unless there is a medical reason not to.
The WIC Program supports breastfeeding in many ways. Specially trained counselors provide WIC mothers with breastfeeding encouragement, education and support. Many moms are eligible to receive or borrow breast pumps at no cost. Breastfeeding mothers are also eligible to participate in WIC longer and can receive enhanced food packages, if they breastfeed exclusively.
If you are interested in breastfeeding your baby, WIC can help. |
WIC Breastfeeding Counselors
for Doddridge, Harrison, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, and Taylor Counties Lynne Ryan, BA, IBCLC - Monongalia Co
(304) 598-5181 (304) 598-5189 Angie Rebrook, IBCLC - Harrison Co (304) 848-9680 Sandra Fitchett - Harrison Co
(304) 329-1957 Michelle Kline Monongalia Co (304) 598-5182 Brandi Rugh - Taylor Co (304) 598-5190 Cassidy Allison - Monongalia Co (304) 598-5182 Brittany Smith - Harrison Co (304) 848-9680 Erin Hall - Harrison Co (304) 848-9680 |
WIC Breastfeeding Class Schedule
Resuming in-person as of Aug. 1, 2021 WIC breastfeeding classes are open to the public. Please call ahead to verify class schedule.
Doddridge: 2nd Wednesday of the month at 1 pm
Harrison: 1st and 4th Wednesday at 3 pm, 3rd Wednesday at 10 am Marion: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Tuesday at 2 pm Monongalia: 1st and 3rd Wednesday at 4 pm, 2nd Wednesday at 10 am Preston: 1st and 3rd Thursday at 11 am Taylor: 2nd Friday at 1 pm |
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WIC breastfeeding video offers info during COVID
MCHD WIC's retired breastfeeding coordinator Lynne Ryan, now serving as a WIC breastfeeding consultant, conducted this breastfeeding class about 10 years ago. Typically, MCHD WIC offers free breastfeeding classes for all pregnant and new moms in its six-county region, which includes Monongalia, Preston, Marion, Harrison, Doddridge and Taylor counties. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, those classes have been put on hold until at least Oct. 1, 2020. Please feel free to watch this video to learn more about breastfeeding. Clients also can get information from consultants via phone consultations and the Pacify app. |
Annual Breastfeeding Walk To celebrate World Breastfeeding Week, we host an annual Breastfeeding Awareness Walk the first week of August in Morgantown. We want to show local mothers that the community supports, and thanks, them for their decision to breastfeed. Men, women and children are invited to attend. Keep an eye on WIC News for more information about this year's walk. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the walk was not able to be held during 2020-2021. Click here to see photos of the most recent Breastfeeding Awareness Walks |
Breast Pump Program
MCHD WIC maintains a limited inventory of manual and electric breast pumps. Only active WIC participants are eligible to borrow or receive a WIC pump, and pumps are issued based on need and availability. WIC does not fill pump prescriptions for insurance companies. Read the MCHD WIC Breast Pump Program Guidelines.
MCHD WIC maintains a limited inventory of manual and electric breast pumps. Only active WIC participants are eligible to borrow or receive a WIC pump, and pumps are issued based on need and availability. WIC does not fill pump prescriptions for insurance companies. Read the MCHD WIC Breast Pump Program Guidelines.
Breastfeeding Resources
For more information about other community breastfeeding resources click here.
For more information about other community breastfeeding resources click here.