Missouri Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program

Local WIC Providers

Who is a peer counselor?
Women in the community with personal breastfeeding experience who provide information and support to other mothers.
 “That’s what it’s all about…moms helping moms.”
                                          WIC Peer Counselor

What Does A Peer Counselor Do?

• Gives basic breastfeeding information and support to new mothers.
• Helps mothers achieve their own breastfeeding goals.
• Regularly contacts mothers during their pregnancy, during the early days of breastfeeding, and until the mother chooses to wean her baby.
• Refers mothers with concerns outside the peer counselor’s scope of practice to appropriate lactation experts or healthcare professionals.
• Refers non-WIC mothers to other community breastfeeding resources, if they are not eligible for WIC.
• Is a role model for other WIC mothers.

How to find a peer counselor?
Missouri currently has 49 WIC agencies with peer counselors on staff. You can use the interactive Missouri map to find out how to contact the nearest peer counselor.

How to Apply?
Applications for the Breastfeeding Peer Counseling (BFPC) program are sent to local WIC providers in May to apply for the program the following fiscal year. In addition to submitting an application, the applicant must complete a breastfeeding peer-counseling plan, which includes evaluating current breastfeeding promotion and support services and describing how peer counseling will enhance those services. The plan will also need to include two short term and two long-term goals.

How is the program funded?
Funding to the local WIC providers is provided in the form of two separate grants. Grant 1 is FNS WIC funds dedicated to peer counseling and Grant 2 is money appropriated by congress with the purpose of enhancing peer counseling.

Required Training
Breastfeeding Peer Counselors and Coordinators are required to attend state sponsored training sessions on breastfeeding and counseling skills. Other optional training opportunities are encouraged.

Posters and Literature
Breastfeeding Peer Counselor posters and a brochure have been developed to market peer counseling and aid in the recruitment of peer counselors. The posters and brochure are available from the Department of Health and Senior Services warehouse. The brochure in other languages can be downloaded.

More information on breastfeeding is on the Missouri Department of Health website.