Average infant formula and breastmilk intake among WIC infants reflects food package changes (632.9)

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides food vouchers in “packages” to low-income, at risk participants. Prior to 2009, food packages for all infants included vouchers for 806 ounces/month of infant formula, regardless of feeding mode, a potential barrier to breastfeeding. In 2009, the WIC packages were modified to improve nutrient intake and to address the historically low rates of breastfeeding among WIC mothers. Formula is now allocated based on feeding mode, with more formula provided to fully formula fed (FF), less to partially formula fed (PF), and none to fully breastfed (BF) infants. The intent of this study was to determine whether formula and breastmilk intake of infants participating in a central Texas WIC clinic reflected this new allocation of formula. Using ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test, we analyzed 24-hour recall data collected from 82 WIC caregivers of infants 4-12 months using Nutrition Data System for Research. Among infants 4-6 months...