WIC Infant Formula Tailoring Calculator Instructions

The WIC Infant Formula Tailoring Calculator (Tailoring Calculator) is a web-based tool that provides results consistent with WIC regulations, just as the WIC Infant Formula Calculator on the WIC Works Resource System does.

However, these calculators differ in that the Tailoring Calculator helps a WIC Competent Professional Authority determine infant formula issuance amounts for a particular infant (i.e., individually tailor), whereas the WIC Infant Formula Calculator helps a WIC agency determine infant formula issuance amounts per infant feeding category (i.e., partially breastfed or fully formula fed) and food package time frame (e.g., 0-3 months, 4-5 months, etc.)  (see a side-by-side comparison of the calculators).

Below are instructions for the Tailoring Calculator, followed by a few scenario examples that demonstrate how the calculator uses the data inputted.

  1. Enter the product's name.
  2. Select the product\’s physical form (i.e., powder, liquid concentrate or ready-to-feed).
  3. Enter the container size (i.e., number of ounces in the container, or the total number of ounces for all containers in a multi-pack).).
  4. Enter the reconstituted fluid ounce yield of the container or of the entire package with multiple containers (e.g., enter 32 for a multi-pack of four, 8 fl oz bottles).
  5. Select the food package category.
  6. Select the time frame for the food package issuance (i.e., 0-3 months, 4-5 months, 6-11 months).
  7. Select how you want to issue the formula - on a monthly basis, or for 1 or 2 weeks.
  8. Enter the fluid ounces per feed the mom/caregiver reports.
  9. Enter the number of feeds per day the mom/caregiver reports.
  10. Click the "Submit" button to obtain the results.

Example Scenarios

Powder Infant Formula for a Partially Breastfed Infant, 0-3 Months Food Package Timeframe
(bolded text represents data you input into the calculator)

  • Reconstituted yield of product: 90 fl. oz. per container
  • Infant's reported intake: 4 fl. oz., 2 feeds per day (8 fl. oz. per day
  • Monthly amount consumed:
    • 8 fl. oz. per day X 30 days a month = 240 fl. oz. per month
    • 240 fl. oz. per month / 90 reconstituted fluid ounces = 2.7 containers (round up to 3)
  • Monthly amount consumed vs. maximum monthly allowance (MMA): 3 containers of powder infant formula x 90 reconstituted fluid ounces = 270 fl. oz. This is below the MMA of 435 fl. oz. (4 containers) for the product's form and yield and the food package category and timeframe; therefore this is a tailoring opportunity.
  • This infant's partially breastfed food package can be tailored by issuing 3 containers of powder infant formula.

 

Liquid Concentrate Infant Formula for a Partially Breastfed Infant, 4-5 Months Food Package Timeframe
(bolded text represents data you input into the calculator)

  • Reconstituted yield of product: 26 fl. oz. per container
  • Infant's reported intake: 6 fl. oz., 2 feeds per day (12 fl. oz. per day)
  • Monthly amount consumed:
    • 12 fl. oz. per day X 30 days a month = 360 fl. oz. per month
    • 360 fl. oz. per month / 26 reconstituted fluid ounces = 13.8 containers (round up to 14)
  • Monthly amount consumed vs. maximum monthly allowance (MMA): 14 containers of liquid concentrate infant formula x 26 reconstituted fluid ounces = 364 fl. oz. This is below the MMA of 460 fl. oz. (17 containers) for the product's form and yield and the food package category and timeframe; therefore this is a tailoring opportunity.
  • This infant's partially breastfed food package can be tailored by issuing 14 containers of liquid concentrate infant formula. 

 

Ready-to-Feed Infant Formula (Multi-Pack) for a Fully Formula-Fed Infant, 6-11 Months Food Package Timeframe
(bolded text represents data you input into the calculator)

  • Multi-pack of four, 8-ounce containers of ready-to-feed (RTF) infant formula
  • Reconstituted yield of product: 32 fl. oz. per container
  • Infant's reported intake: 8 fl. oz., 2 feeds per day (16 fl. oz. per day)
  • Monthly amount consumed:
    • 16 fl. oz. per day X 30 days a month = 480 fl. oz. per month
    • 480 fl. oz. per month / 32 reconstituted fluid ounces = 15, four-pack containers
  • Monthly amount consumed vs. maximum monthly allowance (MMA): 15, four-pack containers of RTF infant formula x 32 reconstituted fluid ounces = 480 fl. oz. This is below the MMA of 643 fl. oz. (20 containers) for the product's form and yield and the food package category and timeframe; therefore this is a tailoring opportunity.
  • This infant's fully formula-fed food package can be tailored by issuing 15 containers of RTF infant formula. 

 

Related Resources

About the Tailoring Calculator
Breastfeeding Reassurance Tips
About the Reassurance Tips
When to Refer to a Healthcare Provider
Components of a Care Plan
Age-Specific Desired Behaviors
WIC Infant Nutrition and Feeding Guide
Infant Developmental Skills/Hunger & Satiety Cues
Infant Feeding: Tips for Food Safety

Source URL: https://wicbreastfeeding.fns.usda.gov/wic-infant-formula-tailoring-calculator-instructions