The Child Nutrition Act requires USDA to annually compile and publish breastfeeding performance measurements. We use this data to monitor breastfeeding trends and to help identify exemplary performance of WIC state and local agencies in breastfeeding and make awards to such agencies.
In appreciation of breastfeeding mothers and of all the dedicated volunteers, professionals, communities, and organizations who support their efforts, I, Brooke L. Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture, do hereby proclaim Aug. 1–7, 2025, as National WIC Breastfeeding Week.
Each year FNS announces the WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence program awardees.
Many families rely on infant formula to feed their babies. Infant formula can provide important nutrients for your baby’s growth and development. Some FNS programs – including CACFP, SNAP, and WIC – provide access to formula to support healthy infant development. USDA is committed to ensuring that FNS program participants always have access to the formula they need.
Research has shown that the WIC program has been playing an important role in improving birth outcomes and containing health care costs.
The Breastfed Babies Welcome Here! resource contains communication tools CACFP operators can use to let mothers and families know that breastfed babies are welcome at their child care site.
WIC mothers are strongly encouraged to breastfeed their infants unless there is a medical reason not to. All WIC staff are trained to promote breastfeeding and provide the necessary support new breastfeeding mothers and infants need for success.
This video is from Lesson 3 of the CACFP Trainer’s Tools: Feeding Infants kit It contains suggestions for creating a breastfeeding-friendly environment, best practices parents can follow for labeling and transporting breastmilk to a child care site, and it introduces the Breastfed Babies Welcome Here! A Mother’s Guide as a resource for breastfeeding mothers.
This is a training tool for CACFP operators with infants discussing the infant meal pattern, developmental readiness, hunger and fullness signs, handling breastmilk and infant formula, solid foods, what is creditable, and more.
This webinar focuses on how child care centers and family child care homes that participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program can support breastfeeding.