Bayfield County WIC Program

The purpose of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is to promote and maintain the health and well being of nutritionally at-risk pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children. WIC provides supplemental nutritious foods, nutrition and breastfeeding information, and referral to other health and nutrition services. WIC promotes and supports breastfeeding.

The WIC website can be reached at: http://www.dhfs.state.wi.us/WIC/index.htm

Tip of the Month:

Straight Talk About Fruit Juice

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO LIMIT FRUIT JUICE IN THE DIET OF INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN?

  • TOO MUCH JUICE IN THE DIET OF A PRESCHOOLER CAN TAKE THE PLACE OF MORE NUTRITIOUS FOODS
  • EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF JUICE CAN CONTRIBUTE TO A CHILD BECOMING OVERWEIGHT
  • WHEN CHILDREN CARRY AROUND CUPS OR BOTTLES OF JUICE THROUGHOUT THE DAY, THEIR TEETH ARE PUT AT RISK FOR DECAY
  • HIGH AMOUNTS OF JUICE CAN CAUSE SOME CHILDREN TO HAVE CHRONIC DIARRHEA

IS THERE ANY GOOD NEWS ABOUT FRUIT JUICE?

  • WIC JUICE IS A GOOD SOURCE OF VITAMIN C, EITHER NATURAL OR FORTIFIED
  • VITAMIN C CAN DOUBLE THE ABSORPTION OF IRON FROM FOODS EATEN AT THE SAME TIME
  • A 6-OUNCE GLASS OF 100% JUICE EQUALS A SERVING OF FRUIT
  • CONSUMED IN MODERATION,100% FRUIT JUICE CAN BE A HEALTHY PART OF A WELL-BALANCED DIET

Recommendations:

For Infants:

  • AVOID JUICE IN BOTTLES OR CUPS THAT ARE MADE SO THEY DO NOT SPILL EASILY; BOTH REQUIRE SUCKING THE JUICE.

Between six and eight months old

  • OFFER SMALL AMOUNTS OF JUICE IN A SPOUTED CUP OR SMALL GLASS, HELPING THE BABY TO LEARN THE SKILL OF DRINKING.

For Toddlers and Preschoolers

  • LIMIT DAILY INTAKE OF FRUIT JUICE TO 4-6 OUNCES, THE EQUIVALENT OF ONE SERVING OF FRUIT AT A MEAL OR SNACK.
  • IN ADDITION TO FRUIT JUICE, OFFER CHILDREN FRESH OR CANNED FRUIT TO MEET THE SUGGESTED 2 SERVINGS OF FRUIT DAILY.
  • AVOID USING JUICE AS A WAY TO PACIFY AN UNHAPPY CHILD.
  • AVOID ALLOWING A CHILD TO CARRY A BOTTLE, CUP OR BOX OF JUICE AROUND THROUGHOUT THE DAY BECAUSE EXCESSIVE EXPOSURE OF THE TEETH TO THE NATURAL SUGAR IN JUICE CAN LEAD TO TOOTH DECAY.
  • OFFER WATER AS AN ALTERNATIVE BEVERAGE BETWEEN MEALS AND SNACKS; AVOID FRUIT-FLAVORED DRINKS THAT ARE NOT 100% JUICE.
  • VOID UNPASTEURIZED JUICE, WHICH MAY CONTAIN E.COLI, SALMONELLA, OR OTHER HARMFUL BACTERIA.
  • BE AWARE THAT HIGH JUICE AMOUNTS CAN BE THE CAUSE OF PROBLEMS FOR CHILDREN, BOTH OVERWEIGHT AND UNDERWEIGHT, such as CHRONIC DIARRHEA.

For Older Children and Adolescents

  • Limit daily juice amounts to 8-12 ounces

Do You Qualify for WIC?

Fill out this application and mail it to us to find out.