Peer Counseling Texas Ten Step Lactation SupportEvery Ounce Counts CampaignTexas Law on Breastfeeding
A new mother called me on Christmas Eve. She had just gotten home from the hospital with her new baby and was having trouble getting him to breastfeed. I was able to help her over the phone to get the baby positioned and latched. She was one of the sweetest moms. She was so appreciative of what seemed like very little assistance on my part. She even sent me a thank you note. It makes me feel so good about the work I’m doing here at WIC. 
Misty S., Peer Counselor,
San Angelo-Tom Green WIC Program
The idea behind the program is that mothers, as peers, can help and influence other mothers in ways that health professionals cannot. Peer counselors go through special training that helps them go beyond their own experiences and give other mothers help and advice based on current research and knowledge from experts. And it works—studies have shown that mothers who talk to a peer counselor during pregnancy are more likely to breastfeed.
In areas where breastfeeding rates are low, some women have never seen a baby being breastfed. Many moms have never talked with a mother who has breastfed her baby. Breastfeeding peer counselors are role models, breastfeeding their infants and telling about their experiences in WIC classes and waiting rooms.
Breastfeeding education, information and management are labor-intensive and time consuming. Though some WIC staff time is spent on breastfeeding, the ratio of caseloads limits the time staff can spend providing breastfeeding support. Breastfeeding peer counselors teach or assist with group classes, provide one-to-one counseling, telephone counseling, home visits (at some sites), and provide support above and beyond the support available from WIC staff.
Peer counselors help new moms in their first days of breastfeeding. They provide information about what moms can expect during the first days and weeks of baby’s life. They also provide follow-up counseling on the phone or in the clinic.
Peer counselors are trained to help moms with normal breastfeeding. If a mom needs special help, they may refer her to their site supervisor, breastfeeding coordinator, nurse, nutritionist, lactation consultant or the mother’s physician or designated health professional.
Peer counselors receive a 20-hour training course that includes breastfeeding basics, counseling skills, and emphasis on the role of peer counselors in making referrals for circumstances outside the realm of normal breastfeeding.
| 32,650: | Hours each month that WIC peer counselors work each month (equal to 188 full-time employees) |
| Over 3,000: | Mothers who have been trained as breastfeeding peer counselors since the program began |
| 350: | Number of peer counselors working today |
| 64: | Number of local WIC agencies offering peer counseling |
| 48: | Number of hospitals offering peer counseling |
Research has shown a significant increase in the initiation and duration of breastfeeding with peer counselor intervention.
To find your local WIC program call 1-800-842-3678 or email us.
For more information about the Texas WIC Peer Counselor Program, click here.
For more information about the Texas WIC Peer Counselor Program, click here.
