Peer Counselors
Having support during pregnancy and in the early days after birth is important, so WIC offers 'Mother to Mother' Peer Counselor support at all 31 local WIC offices.
WIC peer counselors are mothers in the community with personal breastfeeding experience who are trained to give information and support to new moms. WIC Peer Counselors are available by phone, speak a variety of languages and will mentor, coach, and support you. She can give you:
- Basic information about breastfeeding
- Discuss what to expect in the hospital
- Support when you bring your baby home
- Ideas on how your family and friends can support you
- Ways to get a good start with breastfeeding
- Tips for a healthy supply of breast milk for your baby
- Support when you have breastfeeding concerns
- Tips on how to breastfeed comfortably and discreetly, even in public
- Advice to help you stick with breastfeeding after you return to work or school
Contact a Massachusetts WIC Breastfeeding Coordinators (PDF) | (DOCX) in your area or call (800) 942-1007 to request more information.
Breastfeeding Resources
What dads should know about how often babies eat, what happens during the first few feedings, and more!
- Breastfeeding Basics for Dads (PDF) | (DOCX)
- Breastfeeding Basics for Dads - Portuguese (PDF) | (DOCX)
- Breastfeeding Basics for Dads - Spanish (PDF) | (DOCX)
These tips help grandparents support their breastfeeding grandchild.
- Breastfeeding Basics for Grandmas (PDF) | (DOCX)
- Breastfeeding Basics for Grandmas - Portuguese (PDF) | (DOCX)
- Breastfeeding Basics for Grandmas - Spanish (PDF) | (DOCX)
Looking for more breastfeeding resources?
The Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition provides breastfeeding information, educational materials, and other resources for parents.
Nursing Mothers Council provides telephone counseling, pump rentals and sales, consultations and referrals, and home visits (on a limited basis, small fee may apply). Contact: (650) 327-6455.
The Boston Breastfeeding Coalition/Vital Village Network coordinates breastfeeding support groups in the Boston area. Many now offer virtual support groups.
The Pioneer Valley Breastfeeding Coalition offers breastfeeding support in Western Massachusetts.
For breastfeeding support near you, log onto Zipmilk, which provides an online directory of lactation support providers.
The Office on Women's Health has information on breastfeeding, including Your Guide To Breastfeeding.
The Office on Women's Health also offers a helpline (800-994-9662). Trained breastfeeding counselors will answer the phone. The counselors answer questions in English and Spanish and give help, tips, and support. It is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 6 pm Eastern Time.
USDA's choosemyplate.gov has tips on healthy eating for breastfeeding moms. It gives you information on these topics and more:
- Nutritional needs, whether you're exclusively breastfeeding, feeding breast milk and formula, or feeding formula only.
- Weight loss while breastfeeding.
- How breastfeeding moms can make healthy food choices.
The U.S. Department of Labor tells you about nursing moms' rights to have break time to pump during work hours. You can find fact sheets in English and Spanish.
USDA WIC Breastfeeding Support website: wicbreastfeeding.fns.usda.gov/get-support-wic