The WIC Nutrition Program is a supplemental program and is not designed to supply all the nutrition that a baby needs. Federal regulations limit the amount of formula to about 26 ounces per day for infants. Children over the age of one can receive additional 3.4 ounces of formula per day with documentation of need by the physician. WIC wants all mothers to choose to breastfeed their babies.

Mothers participating in WIC are encouraged to breastfeed their infants if possible, but State WIC agencies will provide formula to mothers who choose to use it. WIC State agencies are required by law to have competitively-bid infant formula rebate contracts with infant formula manufacturers.

The Alaska WIC Program supports the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) policy that exclusive breastfeeding is the ideal nutrition and sufficient to support optimal growth and development for full-term infants during the first 6 months after birth and should be continued with the addition of age-appropriate introduction of solid foods and juices, at least through the first 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired (AAP, Work Group on Breastfeeding.

WIC also provides health and community referrals. These referrals may include Medicaid and CHIP insurance, well child clinics, child developmental screening, food bank, heating and housing assistance, food stamps, TANF, child care, immunizations, and lead screening.

The Alaska WIC Program has entered into an agreement with Mead Johnson Nutritionals. Mead Johnson Nutritionals provides Enfamil Lipil, ProSobee Lipil, and Lactofree Lipil as the sole source milk-based and soy-based formulas for WIC participants. The agreement is a federally mandated cost containment system. It provides a savings to the Alaska WIC Program. This savings allows the Alaska WIC Program to serve additional caseload with the WIC grant.

Infant feeding advice provided to parents follows recommendations by the AAP and Bright Futures in Practice: Nutrition. The Maine WIC Nutrition Program encourages all mothers to breastfeed their infants for one year. WIC recommends the introduction of infant cereal at 4-6 months, and the progressive introduction of fruits, vegetables and meats beginning at 6 months. Parents are advised to serve all juice in a cup, and limit it to no more than 2-3 ounces/day.

WIC provides a variety of special formula for certain medical conditions. A prescription from the doctor specifying the medical condition, the certain formula needed, how much is needed, the length of time needed, your child's name, the date, and the doctor's signature and length of time needed is required in order for the WIC program to approve issuing any special formulas. Please talk to the WIC dietitian if you have further questions. See See Referral Form

The use of infant formula after freezing is not recommended. Although freezing does not affect nutritional quality or sterility, physical separation of the product's components may occur.

WIC Nutritionists can consult with the physician about the appropriate choice of formula. Certain information is needed to provide special formulas. Most special infant formulas can be provided by WIC. Certain special formulas must be prescribed by a specialist. WIC has worked with the medical community to simplify this process. If you have any questions contact the State Nutrition Coordinator at 800-437-9300 or the nutritionist at your local WIC office.

The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) defines infant formula as "a food which purports to be or is represented for special dietary use solely as a food for infants by reason of its simulation of human milk or its suitability as a complete or partial substitute for human milk" (FFDCA 201(z)). FDA regulations define infants as persons not more than 12 months old (Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations 21 CFR 105.3(e)).

Income includes all cash before taxes earned by anyone who lives in the household. It also includes money from other sources such as Social Security benefits, public assistance, alimony or child support payments and unemployment compensation. Call your local WIC office for questions about income.

Formula for infants up to one year old and various high protein cereals and foods for children up to age of five. Pregnant women are eligible for WIC and also receive a supplemental food program. The residents of Hamilton Township are very concerned with tick-borne diseases such as Lyme Disease and mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Because of this, many residents are using insect repellents to protect themselves against these diseases.

Infant formula is available in three forms: ready-to-feed, concentrated liquid and powder. Ready-to-feed is used "as is." Concentrated liquid (the only liquid that comes in a 13 ounce can) and powder must be diluted with water according to instructions on the label. Ready-to-feed and concentrated liquid infant formulas are commercially sterile. Powdered formulas are not sterile.

WIC provides most special formulas designed for infants with specific medical conditions such as prematurity, failure to thrive, allergies or gastrointestinal impairment. Special formulas are only available through WIC with a valid prescription signed by a physician, Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner, or Physician's Assistant. The prescription must include the patient's name, the name and amount of formula required, and the reason the formula is needed.

Yes, FDA has requirements for nutrients in infant formulas, which are located in section 412(i) of the FFDCA and 21 CFR 107.100. These nutrient specifications include minimum amounts for 29 nutrients and maximum amounts for 9 of those nutrients. If an infant formula does not contain these nutrients at or above the minimum level or within the specified range, it is an adulterated product unless the formula is "exempt" from certain nutrient requirements.

Up to 20% of circumcised males will suffer from one or more of the following complications, to some degree: Meatal stenosis (narrowing of the urethral opening due to infection and subsequent scarring, that occurs almost exclusively in circumcised boys) [15] The surface of the glans becomes dry if not protected by the foreskin. It is believed that dryness and abrasion may cause progressive loss of sensation in the glans, especially in later life.

Many stores in Maine and some in New Hampshire accept Maine WIC checks. These stores must carry WIC approved foods. To find a store near you call your local WIC office.

Your child's height and weight tell us a lot about her health. WIC weighs and measures a child regularly. How your child grows over time can identify a concern before it becomes a problem.

Since WIC is a health and nutrition program, we check iron level in the blood. A low iron level can be an indication of anemia.

The WIC Nutrition Program follows the CDC guidelines for periodicity of blood work. Infants 9 months of age or older are required to have a hematological test for anemia between 9 and 12 months of age. Children over 1 year of age have a hematological test for anemia between 15-18 months, and annually thereafter if the results are within normal range. If the hemoglobin results are low, the test is done every 6 months until a test with normal range is obtained.

The Maine WIC Nutrition Program checks immunization records to support and reinforce the importance of immunizations. If the immunization record is not up to date, WIC staff will refer the parent or caregiver to their physician.

Infant formulas contain energy-providing nutrients (protein, carbohydrate and fat) as well as water (an essential nutrient) and appropriate vitamins and minerals. The energy nutrients provide the calories necessary to maintain bodily functions, support activity, and promote growth. They also support desirable immune functions as an outcome of overall nutrition. Protein provides the building blocks necessary to form and repair tissue.

No. All infant formula containers carry "use by" or "use before" dates to ensure that the consumer receives a wholesome, high-quality product. Formula should not be bought or fed beyond the expiration date. After the expiration date, some vitamin levels decrease and changes in physical properties, such as discoloration and separation of fat, may occur.

open can of liquid infant formula can be kept for up to 48 hours, if tightly covered and immediately placed in the refrigerator. Bottles of formula made from liquid should be refrigerated and used within 48 hours. Formula that is prepared from powder and placed in bottles for feeding should be refrigerated and used within 24 hours. The remaining powder should be tightly covered and stored in a cool, dry place and used within a month after opening.

Formula that is removed from refrigeration should be used within two hours or discarded. Because of possible bacterial contamination, formula remaining in a bottle one hour after the start of feeding should also be discarded.

Microwave ovens should NEVER be used for heating infant formulas since there is a danger of overheating the liquid. During the microwaving process, the bottle may remain cool while hot spots develop in the formula. Overheated formula can cause serious burns to the baby.

Infant formula is tested for 29 nutrients (as defined by the Infant Formula Act) to assure that each batch provides the appropriate nutrition for infants. In addition, IFC member companies carefully monitor the ingredients used in infant Formula to help assure that product quality is not compromised.

Unfortunately, lack of clean water is a reality in many developing countries. The vast majority of women in developing countries breastfeed, and at the same time give their baby additional traditional foods, or just plain water. If for some reason a baby is not breastfed he or she needs a breast-milk substitute. Until everyone has a safe water supply, the only solution is to teach mothers the importance of boiling water and how to prepare infant formula correctly.