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Orientation
Orientation
Participant Orientation
Participant Orientation Spanish
What is WIC?
WIC is a nutrition program designed to help low-income pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children up to age 5 eat well and stay healthy.
WIC participants receive nutrition counseling, prenatal nutrition, health assessments, breast feeding support, nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care services and other helpful agencies.
WIC is effective in improving the health of pregnant women, new mothers, and their infants. A 1990 study showed that women who participated in the program during their pregnancies had lower Medicaid costs for themselves and their babies than did women who did not participate. WIC participation was also linked with longer gestation periods, higher birthweights and lower infant mortality.
Apply
CLICK HERE to apply for WIC or request an appointment online!
Who is eligible?
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A pregnant or breastfeeding woman
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A woman who has just had a baby
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A child under the age of five
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Meet Income Guidelines
What food does WIC provide?
WIC foods improve the diets and health of women and children on WIC. As a result, pregnant women are less likely to have low birth weight babies. Children grow better and are less likely to have low iron.
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Milk and Cheese: Protein, Calcium, Vitamin A, Zinc
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Eggs: Protein, Vitamin A, Zinc
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Beans & Lentils: Protein, Iron, Folate
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Cereals: Iron, Folate, Zinc
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Juices: Vitamin C, Folate (Vitamin A if vegetable juice)
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Iron Fortified Infant Formula: (for non-breastfed infants) May be limited to specific brands.
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Peanut Butter
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Canned Fish
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Baby Food, Baby Food Meat
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Fruits & Vegetables
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Whole Wheat Bread
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Tortillas
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Brown Rice
Be Prepared
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Proof of identity for yourself and each child to be certified, such as a Driver’s license, Medicaid Card, Birth Certificate, or Passport. If you cannot bring one of these forms of ID, the clinic can explain other acceptable forms of ID.
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Proof of address, such as a current utility bill with a street address (no P.O. boxes), rent or mortgage receipt. This is to verify you live in Utah and within the county served by the clinic.
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Proof of income for each household member who works. You must bring documentation such as check stubs showing the last 30 days of pay. If you receive Medicaid you may bring your Medicaid card as proof of income. You may also bring a letter from Workforce Services showing the amount you receive in Food Stamps or the Family Employment Program.
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Immunization records for your children being certified.
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Don’t forget to bring your children to be certified!
What to expect at your WIC appointment
You will be asked to identify your race and ethnicity. This information is for record keeping purposes only and does not affect your eligibility.
WIC will not ask about your immigration status. You do not need to be a legal resident of the U.S. to participate in WIC and receive food benefits.
Information shared with the WIC clinic staff is kept confidential.
At the clinic:
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Your height and weight will be measured.
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A simple screening test of the amount of iron in your blood will be done.
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You will meet with a WIC health professional who will discuss your health and nutrition with you. She will then tell you the reason you qualify for the program and what foods you will receive. She will also give you simple ideas to improve your family’s eating habits. Ask the WIC Health Professional any questions you might have. She is there to help you.
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You will receive an eWIC cared to purchase specific healthy foods at the grocery store. These cards may be used at most stores in Utah.
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You will continue to have appointments at the WIC clinic about every three months to receive nutrition education and add benefits to your eWIC card.
If you have any questions please contact your WIC Clinic.
Education
Nutrition
WIC Nutrition Education classes are available online. It's easy! Just follow the six steps below.
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Go to wichealth.org.
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Create an account and set up your profile.
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Choose a lesson from one of the 5 categories.
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Complete the lesson.
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Fill out the survey.
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Print or email your certification of completion.
wichealth.org
Client Flyer
Maternal Mental Health
At Southeast Utah Health Department, Maternal Mental Health is very important! During a WIC or prenatal visit, clinical services staff administers an electronic screening to pregnant or postpartum women using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. This 10 question screening can indicate whether symptoms of anxiety or depression may be present during pregnancy and in the year following the birth of a child.
After the screening, the client can speak with our staff to create a plan of action most suited to their needs. Options include receiving educational resources, participating in virtual group interventions (when available), or referral to a private provider when necessary.
For more resources visit: https://mihp.utah.gov/maternal-mental-health
Breast Feeding
How often and how long should a baby nurse?
A new born should be nursing an average of 8 – 12 feedings in 24 hours. Babies usually nurse for a total of 20 – 30 minutes at a feeding. Because each baby and each feeding is different, we encourage moms not to watch the clock: instead moms should allow the baby to finish the first breast first, then burp and offer the other breast. This way the baby will get the proper balance of fluids and calories. After breastfeeding it is sometimes helpful to keep a spitty baby upright such as a car seat or infant carrier for 15-20 minutes after feeding.
My baby just finished nursing and is still acting hungry, should I give a bottle?
No (unless instructed otherwise by baby’s doctor). Supplementing with formula will fill up the baby and make him/her less interested in breastfeeding. Supplements can also interfere with your milk supply (decreasing it) because the baby will go longer between nursing and will take less milk at the breast. Instead, you should offer the breast again; paying close attention to your baby’s latch (see below) in order to make sure baby is able to transfer the milk effectively. Try offering the breast sooner at the next feeding (note: to increase milk supply offer breast frequently and make sure one or both are emptied at each feeding). And remember babies can be fussy for reasons other than hunger.
How do I know if my baby is latched correctly?
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the baby is held close to mom (baby’s chest faces mom’s chest)
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the baby has taken the breast deeply into his/her mouth.
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Baby is pulled close so his/her chin is pressed into the breast and nose may rest on the breast.
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Baby’s lips are flanged out and relaxed.
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Baby’s tongue is cupped beneath mother’s breast.
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Breastfeeding is comfortable for the mother.
My nipples are really sore, what should I do?
Most moms experience nipple soreness in the first week or two of breastfeeding. This temporary tenderness usually diminishes when the milk lets down, and disappears completely within the first week or two if baby is positioned and latched-on correctly at the breast. If soreness does not improve after three days of consistently working to correct the latch, if nipples become cracked or bleeding, or if intense pain is experienced, mom should seek professional help as soon as possible.
For treamtent of moderately sore nipples:
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Pay attention to baby’s latch and correct if needed.
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Apply pure lanolin cream to nipples
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Air dry nipples between feedings.
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Seek assistance from a lactation specialist
My baby is really fussy, is it something I ate?
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Probably not. Most mothers can eat any food they like without causing any problem for their babies. If a baby has an obvious reaction every time a mom eats a certain food, she can eliminate that food from her diet, then try reintroducing it later to see if the reaction returns. It is important to remember that for most fussy and gassy babies, the problem is something other than mother’s milk.
How can I tell if my baby is getting enough breast milk?
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Many moms ask this question. Remember, the more milk your baby takes, the more milk you will produce. Supplementing with formula (especially during the first few months) will decrease your milk supply. Your baby is probably getting enough breast milk if: