摘要：We estimated the effect of Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participation in 1999 to 2000 on breastfeeding initiation and duration and well-child care. We applied multivariate regression to a sample of 2136 unmarried, low-income, urban mothers from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study. WIC participation was associated with small increases in the probabilities of initiating breastfeeding and having had at least 4 well-child visits since birth—behaviors that benefit infants beyond the newborn period—but not with breastfeeding duration. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides low-income, nutritionally vulnerable pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and young children with nutrient-dense food packages, nutritional counseling (including breastfeeding support), and linkage to medical and social services. Numerous studies indicate that WIC participation during pregnancy is associated with better birth outcomes. 1– 10 However, with the notable exception of the Rush et al. 11 evaluation, little research has focused on the benefits of WIC participation that extend beyond the newborn period. 12 We estimated the association between WIC participation and 2 maternal health behaviors that benefit infants—breastfeeding and well-child care. The study used 1999 to 2000 survey data on low-income, unmarried, urban mothers from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study. WIC participation may have mixed effects on breastfeeding because of the competing effects of activities that promote breastfeeding and the valuable infant formula provided in food packages. However, we expect that WIC participation is associated with greater use of well-child care because of WIC’s emphasis on medical referrals.
