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WIC Program

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Follow WIC

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Minnesota State Office - WIC Program

800-657-3942 (toll-free)

651-201-4444 (state office)

Find your WIC Clinic Phone Number

Contact Info

Minnesota State Office - WIC Program

800-657-3942 (toll-free)

651-201-4444 (state office)

Find your WIC Clinic Phone Number

Guidance for WIC Nutrition/Breastfeeding Cards

Suggestions for using the WIC educational cards:

Use the nutrition assessment and discussion with a participant to determine any nutrition or breastfeeding needs and interests.
Tailor the educational contact to those identified needs and interests, using Participant Centered Services skills.
Written materials can be an aid to reinforce the valuable education you provide to your participants. As you interact with the participant, consider whether any of the cards might be a helpful supplement to your discussion.
Always ask the participant if they would like additional information before giving a card. Offer the option of receiving printed or electronic resources. If electronic resources are preferred, direct them to the nutrition and breastfeeding resources available through the My MN WIC App or on the MN WIC website.
Limit the number of cards you give a family to just one or two. Remember, your discussion and interaction with the participant is the most impactful method of providing education.

Guidance for Using the Nutrition Education Cards

Infant Cards

The infant cards address specific developmental stages and basic feeding recommendations. Use the nutrition assessment and discussion with the parent/caregiver to determine which card might supplement your education. Before giving a bottle-feeding card, assess the infant’s feeding and if it is necessary to provide the card.

Developmental stage or feeding recommendations	Suggested cards and content
Newborn - Breastfed	The First 3 Months – Infant guides the feeding; Hunger and satiety cues. Breastfeeding cards – select cards based on assessment.
Newborn - Any bottle feeding	The First 3 Months – Infant guides the feeding; Hunger and satiety cues. Bottle Feeding Your Baby – Hunger and satiety cues; Typical amounts by age, Formula preparation. Paced Bottle Feeding – Feeding steps; Resources.
Starting solids (pureed foods)	Introducing Solid Foods – First foods; How to Start; Tips. Homemade Foods for Baby – What to puree; Helpful gadgets; Tips; Quick and Easy baby food.
Advancing textures (soft, mashed foods)	Choosing Meats and Textures – Foods to offer; Meats; Feeding Plan by stage of development.
Finger Foods	Finger Foods for Baby – Signs of readiness; Finger foods to offer; Tips; Feeding difficulties. Feeding an Older Infant – Develop meal and snack routines; Sample menu.
Bottle weaning and cup use	Weaning from the Bottle – Ways to wean; Why wean; Tips. Baby’s First Cup - Tips for introducing; Cup Options. Protect Baby Teeth - Teething expectations; Care of teeth; Prevent tooth decay.

Child Cards

The child cards address basic nutrition recommendations and feeding issues. Use the nutrition assessment and discussion with the parent/caregiver to determine which card might supplement your education.

Nutrition recommendations or feeding issue	Suggested cards and content
Basic nutrition for kids	Choose a Healthy Plate for Kids – Tips for a Healthy Plate; Food Groups; Sample Menu. Healthy Choices for Kids – Promote healthy food, activity, and screen habits.
Encourage physical activity	Happy, Healthy, Active – Why physical activity is important; activity ideas by age.
Toddler meals and mealtimes	Easy Toddler Meals – What toddlers should be eating; Food safety tips; Quick and simple meals. Mealtime Routines – Building healthy eating habits; Family meals; Meal/snack ideas.
Food refusal	Feed with Confidence – What to do when child refuses to eat; Suggestions for feeding.
Picky eating or changing appetite	Picky Eating – Reasons for picky eating; Suggestions for addressing picky eating. A Child’s Appetite – Parent/child division of responsibility for eating; Meal tips; Beverage choices.
Healthy snacks and beverages	Snacks for Kids – Guidelines for snacks; Quick snacks; Combo snacks. I am Thirsty - Encourage water; Appropriate milk and juice intake; Limit Sugary drinks.

Pregnancy Cards

The pregnancy cards address basic nutrition and health recommendations along with typical nutrition concerns. Use the nutrition assessment and discussion with the pregnant woman to determine which card might supplement your education.

Nutrition/health Recommendations or Nutrition Concern:	Suggested cards and content
Basic nutrition and health recommendations	Eating Well During Pregnancy – MyPlate for pregnancy; avoid unsafe foods; nutritious food choices. Health Tips for Pregnant Women – Prenatal care; Mental and emotional health; Eat well; Avoid harmful substances.
Prenatal weight gain	Weight Gain During Pregnancy – Weight gain recommendations by pre-pregnancy weight status; Where weight goes; Tips for appropriate weight gain.
Prenatal vitamin/mineral supplements	Prenatal Vitamins – Choosing a supplement; Iron, Iodine and Folic Acid; Accessing prenatal supplements; managing nausea.
Discomforts of pregnancy	Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy – Tips for managing nausea. Heartburn and Upset Stomach During Pregnancy – Causes; Tips for managing heartburn and upset stomach; Food choices.

General Cards

The General Cards address specific nutrition topics for women and children. Use the nutrition assessment and discussion with the participant/caregiver to determine which card might supplement your education.

Nutrition or Health Topic	Suggested cards and content
Encourage fruits and vegetables	Eating More Fruits and Vegetables – Ways to add more produce to each meal; How much to eat.
Increase key nutrients	Eating More Iron – Sources of iron; How to get enough iron. Getting more Vitamin D – Sources of vitamin D; Vitamin D recommendations by age; Understanding vitamin D supplements.
Family meals	Enjoy Family Meals – How to make mealtime family time; Quick meal ideas; Why family meals matter.
Exit counseling	Stay Healthy – Card covers the suggested topics of exit counseling including: well-balanced diet; immunizations; Folic Acid; Breastfeeding; Avoiding harmful substances.
Tips for weight gain (for women and children)	Weight Gain Tips – Meal and snack recommendations; Ways to boost caloric intake.
Avoid harmful substances	Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs – This card may be used to provide the required Drug and Harmful Substance Abuse Education and Resource Information. There is room on the bottom of the backside of the card to add a label listing the referral resources in your community.
Pregnancy loss	Your Body, Your Mind – Caring for Yourself after Pregnancy Loss – Includes information on emotional health, nutrition, lactation, and available resources.
Constipation	Constipation – Describes constipation and normal stooling, addresses cause of constipation and what to do.

Guidance for Using the WIC Breastfeeding Cards

Use a highlighter: Highlight the portions of the card you discuss and that are most relevant to the participant.
Use PCS skills: Pick the most relevant card at each contact, based on responses to your open questions. We recommend providing cards individually, as appropriate, not all together in a “packet.”
Remember to affirm often, all through the breastfeeding journey!
Remind women they can always come to WIC for breastfeeding support. This includes a weight check for baby.

Card	When to use	Open ended questions	Additional Resources
Thinking about Breast/chest feeding	During pregnancy. If participant comes to WIC planning to breastfeed, you could focus on “Plan Ahead” heading or Getting Started with Breastfeeding card.	How do you plan to feed your baby? What have you heard about breastfeeding? What have your friends and family said about breastfeeding? What was your last breastfeeding experience like?	Minnesota Breastfeeding Coalition resources, including the prenatal education toolkit.
Getting Started with Breast/chest feeding	Third trimester, or during the first 7 days of baby’s life.	What are your questions about breastfeeding? What have you heard about knowing when your baby wants to eat? What has your health care provider shared on how to get a great start with breastfeeding? The first page has a list of topics, ask: Are you interested in information about any of these topics?	My Breastfeeding Hospital Goals Checklist There is space to add local resources on the back of cards. Use a printed label or write in: WIC phone number. Drop-in breastfeeding centers, classes, or Baby Cafés. Peer’s phone number. Hospital outpatient lactation support.
First Months of Breastfeeding	Early postpartum - 2 weeks to 3 months	How is breastfeeding going? What do you like best about breastfeeding? What are your goals for breastfeeding?	Cards on the related topics listed on front.
Breastfeeding an Older Baby	Provide around 3 months old	What goals do you have around breastfeeding? How has breastfeeding changed now that your baby is a getting older? Some moms have concerns about nursing older babies. Could I share some of what they learned with you?	Information on weaning from La Leche League
Dads are important	Anytime. Affirm partner’s role and the importance of his role.	What have people told you about breastfeeding? What are your thoughts about breastfeeding? What are your questions about breastfeeding?	Information for partners on USDA
Returning to work or school	At any point that work, or school comes up in the discussion.	Will you be going back to work or school after the baby is born?” If she is concerned about returning to work, remember to affirm her concern. “It’s great that you are thinking ahead” or “I can see why you feel that way, many women have the same concern.” Ask when she will be returning to work or school, and what type of work she does. Then offer to share some solutions that have worked for other breastfeeding women.	Paced Bottle Feeding (PDF) WIC Milk Storage Magnet Going back to work from USDA.
Nutrition For Breast/chest feeding	During pregnancy or postpartum.	How is your appetite? What questions do you have about your diet?	Nutrition while breastfeeding from USDA.
Moms Helping Moms	For agencies with a peer program, during pregnancy and postpartum.	What have you heard about our peer breastfeeding program? What have you heard about breastfeeding? Who is your resource for information about breastfeeding? Where do you go to get information about breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding: Combination Feeding	Provide the card to breastfeeding women after assessing concerns and providing support, and/or when planning to use formula.	What are your goals for breastfeeding? Please tell me about why you are asking about formula today.	For staff: MN WIC policy 7.4. Supporting breastfeeding with the food package. Table to guide providing the minimum amount of formula. Bottle feeding your baby (PDF) card.