Breastfeeding

WIC recognizes breastfeeding as the ideal nutrition for infants – the best practice is to breastfeed your baby for at least one year.

  • Breastfeeding: the practice of feeding a mother’s breast milk to her infant(s) on the average of at least once per day.
  • Exclusive Breastfeeding: the infant receives only breast milk and nothing else.

The benefits of breastfeeding for your child include:

  • Developing a unique mother-child bond.
  • Protecting your baby from illness.
  • Providing the perfect food for your baby.

Breastfeeding is healthy for mothers.

  • Lower risk of:
  • Premenopausal breast cancer.
  • Ovarian cancer.
  • Type 2 diabetes.
  • Improved bonding.
  • Lower healthcare costs.
  • Convenience.

Breastfeeding reduces your baby’s risk of:

  • Obesity.
  • Ear infections.
  • Respiratory infections.
  • Gastrointestinal infections.
  • Skin conditions.
  • Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
  • Leukemia.
  • Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

 

For moms who breastfeed, WIC provides extra nutritious foods. Plus, if you return to work or school, breast pumps are available. ASG offers a 2-hour nursing leave for breastfeeding mothers. If you have any questions, please contact our WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator or Breastfeeding Peer Counselors using our Breastfeeding Warm Line at (684) 633-9839, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., excluding holidays and weekends.

Breastfeeding Promotion Outreach:

Every Tuesday – LBJ Tropical Medical Center OB-GYN Prenatal Clinic – 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., followed by visits to the Maternity Ward.

2nd and 4th Thursdays – LBJ Tropical Medical Center OB-GYN Prenatal Clinic – 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., followed by visits to the Maternity Ward.

1st and 3rd Fridays – Department of Health Prenatal Clinic – 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

© 2021 American Samoa Department of Human and Social Services