Cooper County WIC

12/30/2025

Pain with breastfeeding is common, but it is not normal, and it should never be ignored.
Pain is one of the earliest signs that something in the feeding relationship needs support. Breastfeeding should feel comfortable after the initial learning period. Persistent pain is your body’s feedback system, not a rite of passage. Ignoring it can lead to worsening ni**le trauma, decreased milk transfer, supply concerns, and early weaning. None of which are inevitable when the root cause is addressed early.

Common causes of ni**le pain usually fall into a few key categories.
The most frequent is a shallow latch, often related to positioning or baby’s oral mechanics. Babies with tension, a high palate, or oral restrictions (like tongue or lip ties) may compress the ni**le rather than draw it deeply into the mouth, leading to cracking, blanching, or lipstick-shaped ni**les. Vasospasm can cause sharp, burning pain and color changes after feeds, while friction injuries may occur with incorrect pump fl**ge sizing or excess too much suction. Less commonly—but still important—yeast, bacterial infections, or dermatitis can mimic latch pain and require targeted treatment.

The good news: pain is usually fixable when addressed promptly.
Remediation starts with observing a full feeding—looking at positioning, latch depth, baby’s suck pattern, and milk transfer. Small adjustments, like changing angles, improving body alignment, or supporting baby’s jaw, can make a significant difference. If oral function is contributing, referrals for bodywork or further oral evaluation may be appropriate. For pump-related pain, correct fl**ge sizing and gentler settings are essential. When infection or vasospasm is suspected, individualized care and medical collaboration matter. Bottom line: pain is a signal, not a sacrifice. Getting skilled lactation support early protects both your comfort and your breastfeeding goals.

12/29/2025

12/24/2025

One of the biggest surprises I hear from breastfeeding parents is this simple truth: babies eat a lot. Way more often than anyone prepared them for. Not because something is wrong. But because human milk is meant to be digested quickly and babies are designed to come back often for connection, calories, comfort, and regulation.

Here is what “often” usually looks like over the first year, knowing that normal has a very wide range:

Newborns (0–6 weeks)
• Average feeds: 8–14 times in 24 hours, sometimes more
• Length: anywhere from 10 to 45 minutes
• Cluster feeding is very common, especially in the evenings
• Frequent feeding helps build milk supply and helps baby learn how to nurse

2–4 months
• Average feeds: 8–12 times in 24 hours
• Length: often shorter, around 10–25 minutes total
• Babies get more efficient but still need frequent feeds because their stomachs are small
• Growth spurts can temporarily increase frequency again

4–6 months
• Average feeds: 7–10 times in 24 hours
• Length: 5–20 minutes
• Some babies are very businesslike, others still linger
• Night feeds are still biologically normal and protective

6–9 months
• Average feeds: 6–9 times in 24 hours
• Length: highly variable
• Solids may start, but breast milk is still the primary source of nutrition
• Many babies nurse for comfort, reconnection, and regulation just as much as calories

9–12 months
• Average feeds: 5–8 times in 24 hours
• Length: often shorter and more distracted during the day
• Night and morning feeds often remain long and meaningful
• Breastfeeding continues to provide immune support, nutrition, and emotional grounding

A gentle reframe that helps many parents: breastfed babies don’t just “eat.” They snack, binge, sip, nurse for comfort, nurse to sleep, nurse to reconnect, and nurse because the world is big and they are still small.

12/22/2025

The history of assessing and managing tongue ties has evolved significantly over time. In ancient times, midwives recognized the potential impact of tongue ties on breastfeeding, and some would manually snip the tight frenulum to improve an infant’s ability to nurse. This practice, though not widely documented, suggests an early awareness of the issue, particularly in relation to feeding. Throughout the Middle Ages and into the 19th century, there were sporadic accounts of physicians and midwives performing similar procedures, but there was little consensus on its importance

By the early 20th century, as bottle-feeding became more common, the issue of tongue ties was largely overlooked. With fewer babies breastfeeding, the need to address oral restrictions in newborns diminished, and tongue-tie treatment became a less frequently discussed medical concern. When cases were recognized, they were often only addressed if they caused obvious problems with speech or severe feeding difficulties, and treatments varied greatly depending on the practitioner

It wasn’t until the mid to late 20th century that tongue ties gained renewed attention, particularly in the realm of speech development. Concerns emerged about the possible role of restricted tongue movement in speech delays or articulation issues, and more research began to surface. However, even then, many cases of tongue tie were either underdiagnosed or not treated unless the condition was severe

In the early 2000s, the rise of breastfeeding advocacy and lactation consulting brought tongue ties back into focus. With more emphasis on the importance of breastfeeding, practitioners began to reassess the impact of tongue restrictions on nursing success. Lactation consultants and other professionals specializing in infant feeding played a key role in advocating for earlier recognition and treatment. Today emerging research helps us understand that ties can impact more than just speech. New awareness means better diagnosis and treatment

12/22/2025

Please note our Holiday Office Hours for this week!

✨ Happy Holidays from Cooper County WIC! ✨

As the season fills our days with twinkling lights, warm kitchens, and time spent with loved ones, we want to send heartfelt holiday wishes to all of our amazing families and community partners. We’re so grateful for the trust you place in us and for the chance to walk alongside you throughout the year.

May your holidays be filled with joy, good health, laughter, and cozy moments that turn into cherished memories. Wishing you a bright and happy season and a wonderful year ahead!

With warm wishes,
Sue, Savannah, and Melody ❤️🎄

12/18/2025

12/17/2025

As the seasons change, so do our bulletin boards! 🍂❄️
Our Breastfeeding Peer Counselors have been busy updating our boards for winter while continuing to be a caring, encouraging support for our Cooper County WIC moms and babies. 💕

Breastfeeding can have its ups and downs, but you’re never alone; every feed, every effort, and every moment matters. You’re doing an amazing job for your baby.

In addition to our Breastfeeding Peer Counselors, we’re proud to have an IBCLC on staff who is available to help with breastfeeding and lactation needs. If you have questions or would like to set up an appointment, please call our office at 660-882-2626.

We’re here to support you every step of the way! 💗

12/16/2025

* Your milk contains stem cells, which can go on to become heart, kidney, or brain tissue
* One of the best ways to treat cracked ni**les is to put your own milk on them. Coconut and olive oils work better than most store bought balms/creams
* Evening breast milk contains more melatonin—a hormone to help baby sleep. Night milk is lower in water and higher in fat to help baby sleep and grow
* The taste of breast milk changes slightly based on your diet. This helps babies get used to different tastes to prepare them to eat a variety of solid foods
*The taste changes and the flow and volume of milk can drop during your period, making some babies become fussy around that time or the month
* Most babies suck stronger and longer to the taste of garlic in breast milk than to any other flavor you eat
* Continue to breastfeed even if you’re sick. When sick, your body makes antibodies that pass on to baby, reducing their risk of getting sick
* Colostrum contains 10x more beta-carotene than mature breast milk. It has increased levels of vitamin E and zinc to promote a newborn’s skin and eye development
* “Good bacteria” are constantly transferred from your body to your milk; the precise strains of bacteria fluctuate daily and from season to season
* Your milk has a unique smell that your baby can identify. The smell is similar to your amniotic fluid. This helps baby find the breast after birth
*Speaking of smells, your body odor may be more pungent after birth. This helps baby recognize you as mom and distinguish you from other adults
* Breastfeeding promotes proper mouth development. Studies have found that babies who were exclusively breastfed for the first six months were less likely to have teeth alignment issues such as open bites, crossbites, and overbites, than those exclusively breastfed for shorter lengths of time or not at all
*Pumping is breastfeeding, too

12/16/2025

One of the coolest things about breast milk? Your milk volumes adjust to meet baby’s growth! But milk volumes don’t just keep going up forever—they follow a natural pattern of increasing, leveling off, and then gradually decreasing as solids take center stage.

Weeks 1–6: The Build-Up Phase
🥛Newborns start with tiny tummies—think 5–7 mL (a teaspoon!) per feeding in the first days.
🥛By week 1, they take in 1–2 oz per feeding (about 10–20 oz per day) to help them regain their birth weight
🥛By week 2–4, intake increases to 2–3 oz per feeding and we calculate milk needs by weight: Babies typically take 2.5 oz per pound of body weight per day, maxing out around 24–30 oz per day for most babies. A 7 # baby needs less milk than a 10 # baby. Most babies have several weeks of cluster feeding to get your body to slowly increase supply to reach your max

Weeks 6–6 Months: The Plateau
⏰Around 4–6 weeks, milk volume stabilizes! Your baby will likely continue taking 24–30 oz per day with little change until solids are well established.
⏰There is a range because everyone’s calorie count in their unique milk is different! Unlike formula which is a standard 20 calories per ounce, breast milk can range from 16-32 calories per ounce!!

6–12 Months: Gradual Decrease
🥕As solids become a bigger part of the diet, total milk intake may dip slightly (closer to 20–24 oz per day by 9–12 months)
🥝Some babies still drink more, some less—it’s all about how quickly solids become the main event

After 12 Months: Milk Becomes a Side Dish
👧🏽Around the first birthday, breast milk intake gradually decreases as table foods provide most of the nutrition
👧🏻Many toddlers still nurse several times a day (or just for comfort), but total intake is often 16–20 oz per day or even less

💡 Key Takeaways:
✔️ Watch your baby for their own optimal growth. How old they are and how much they weigh do play a role in milk needs
✔️ Everyone makes milk tailored to their own baby. It’s ok to see milk volumes fluctuate and even decrease with time
✔️ Babies don’t need more and more milk forever—your body adjusts milk composition instead!

12/11/2025

‼️IMMEDIATE‼️

We apologize but we are currently experiencing technical difficulties. We are unable to take phone calls, make appointments or print birth and death certificates.

We hope to resolve this issue as soon as possible. Please watch this page for updates for when we are back up and running.

We are sorry for any inconveniences this may cause.

Thank you

12/11/2025