Become a WIC Peer Counselor
Make a difference to new moms: Help them learn to breastfeed successfully.
When you're pregnant or a new mom, it helps to talk to other moms who know what you're going through. That's the idea behind WIC peer counselors. They're moms in your community who breastfed their own babies. They will give information and support to moms like you. If you would like to become a WIC peer counselor, contact your local WIC clinic to learn more.
What a WIC Peer Counselor Does
WIC peer counselors give basic breastfeeding information and support like this to other moms:
- Tips for how to breastfeed comfortably, even in public.
- Ways you can stay close to your baby through breastfeeding after you return to work or school.
- Ideas for getting support from your family and friends.
- Ways to get a good start with breastfeeding.
- Tips for making plenty of breast milk for your baby.
- Help with breastfeeding concerns.
WIC peer counselors can also refer moms to a WIC Designated Breastfeeding Expert for complex breastfeeding challenges.
A Typical Day as a WIC Peer Counselor
Peer counselors work in many different settings:
WIC Clinic
Most WIC peer counselors talk with new moms in the WIC clinic. They come to WIC during the regular clinic hours to visit one-on-one with new moms and help them feel more confident with breastfeeding. They may also help teach breastfeeding classes with other WIC staff or lead mom support groups.
Home
Some WIC peer counselors talk with new moms by phone. They may also communicate with WIC moms over email, text, or social media. This enables them to answer questions and concerns from moms when the WIC clinic is not open.
Hospital
Some WIC peer counselors visit new moms in the hospital to help them get a good start with breastfeeding.
Other Settings
Some WIC peer counselors make home visits or lead moms' group meetings outside of the WIC clinic.
Becoming a WIC Peer Counselor
Your local clinic recruits, hires, and trains WIC peer counselors from the community. Training prepares the peer counselors to provide mom-to-mom support in group settings. It also gets them ready to give one-to-one counseling on the phone or in home, clinic, or hospital. If you would like to become a WIC peer counselor, contact your local WIC clinic to learn more.