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

Abstract

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, PF and BF infants consumed significantly less formula and more breastmilk than their FF counterparts (P<0.05); BF infants also consumed significantly more breastmilk than PF infants (P<0.05). Among infants 6‐12 months, fully BF consumed significantly less formula than FF infants (P<0.001); the difference in formula intake between PF and BF infants approached significance (P=0.054). Intake of breastmilk was significantly different among all groups; BF infants consumed more breastmilk than PF (P<0.001) and FF infants (P<0.001); PF infants consumed more than FF infants (P=0.001). These results suggest that infants receiving less formula from WIC packages actually consumed less formula and more breastmilk, in accordance with the intent of the policy change.Grant Funding Source: Texas State University Research Enhancement Program