Breastfeeding and lactation
Short URL: kingcounty.gov/wic/breastfeeding
Whether you're just starting out on your breastfeeding journey or having unexpected challenges, WIC is there to help you every step of the way. WIC's goal is the same as yours. We want you to have a happy, healthy baby and a good breastfeeding experience.
Breastfeeding support
Breastfeeding peer counselors
Breastfeeding Peer Counselors are past or present WIC participants that have successfully breastfed exclusively for 6 months or more and that have received a USDA approved training to support other breastfeeding moms.
Breastfeeding Peer Counselors are eager and available to support your basic breastfeeding questions and/or concerns and to assist you to reach your breastfeeding goal you have set for you and your baby. They are available during and after clinic hours and on-weekends when other support is not available. Feel free to reach out to your Breastfeeding Peer Counselor whenever you need.
Learn more about the program and meet the PHSKC Breastfeeding Peer Counselors:
- Breastfeeding support videos
It is normal to have questions about breastfeeding during pregnancy and after baby arrives.
Our Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Team has created a collection of on-demand videos to help you learn about and work through common questions.
Some videos are available in other languages through Global Health Media. Select the languages desired from the Language box.
- Hospital-Based Lactation Support
- Open Arms Perinatal Services Lactation Support
- National Women’s Health and Breastfeeding Helpline
- Do you have a women's health question or trouble with breastfeeding?
- Call us anytime between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
- 1-800-994-9662
- English or Spanish
Breastfeeding education
- WICHealth.org | Sitio en español
Ask your WIC Staff how to create a free account
Lessons about Breastfeeding:
- Preparing to Meet Your Newborn
- Understanding Your Newborn – Sleep, Crying, and Cues
- Getting the Support You Need for Baby's First Weeks
- Preparing to Meet Your Newborn
- Texas WIC online classes | Sitio en español
No account is needed to sign up for live classes. Class schedule is in Central Standard Time. To get Pacific Time, subtract 2 hours.
Class topics include:
- Live Discussion on How to Get Breastfeeding Off to a Great Start
- Live – Ask the Expert about Breastfeeding and Pumping
- Live Pregnancy Discussion: Preparing for Baby and Taking Care of You
- Live Discussion on How to Get Breastfeeding Off to a Great Start
- Local Breastfeeding Classes/Education (Virtual)
- Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy
Select the highlighted bar to see this resource in other languages: English, Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, Korean, Oromo, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya, Vietnamese
WIC breast pumps and lactation supplies
Would you like to talk to a WIC staff member about breast pumps or lactation supplies? Fill out our online WIC Breast Pump and Lactation Supply Request Form.
Ask your WIC clinic what type of pumps they have available. Not all pumps are available at all clinics.
Our Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Team has created a collection of on-demand videos to help you learn about expressing human milk and the types of breast pumps offered through the WIC program.
Learn more here:
Breast milk storage and preparation
Various factors affect how long human milk can be stored safely. The storage and preparation techniques recommended can help maintain the safety and quality of expressed breast milk for the baby's health. These guidelines provide information for storing human milk at different temperatures and for preparing human milk after storage.
- Storage and Preparation of Breast Milk, (PDF), CDC
- Almacenamiento y preparación de la leche materna (PDF), CDC