The Union County Women, Infants and Children (WIC) office, within the local health department, recently became a drop-off location for the OhioHealth Mothers’ Milk Bank. Pictured above are WIC Administrative Assistant Linda Wolcott, WIC Breastfeeding Peer Sara Bayless, WIC Registered Dietician Mani Syar, OhioHealth Mothers’ Milk Bank Outreach and Operations Coordinator Chris Smith and WIC Director for Delaware, Morrow and Union Counties Lauren Robinson.
(Photo submitted)
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While a nationwide infant formula shortage has left some families scrambling, a number of Union County moms are working to ensure babies have the milk they need.
The Union County WIC office, within the local health department, recently became a drop-off location in partnership with the OhioHealth Mothers’ Milk Bank, which provides breast milk for babies in need.
“It’s really about that mother-to-mother support,” said Lauren Robinson, WIC director for Delaware, Morrow and Union counties.
The Women, Infants and Children program (WIC) is Ohio’s supplemental nutrition program, which helps ensure that children up to age 5 have the food they need and moms have the knowledge to support them, Robinson said.
She said representatives from the OhioHealth Mothers’ Milk Bank previously approached the local WIC office regarding the need for a milk drop-off location in the area.
In early 2020, a WIC breastfeeding support peer posted an online request for donations to purchase a freezer so UCHD could become a drop-off location. Hours later, a local mom purchased the freezer herself.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic put the creation of the drop-off location.
Robinson said it officially opened in March, and several local moms have donated since.
Milk donated at the Union County Health Department site is labeled with a specific donor number and stored in the freezer until it is loaded into packaging to be transported by the postal service to OhioHealth.
From there, officials at OhioHealth said the majority of donations are distributed to hospital NICUs (Newborn Intensive Care Units) while a “small portion” goes to parents who reach out to the milk bank with a need.
The mother’s milk is so valuable to babies’ health that those who receive donor milk must have a prescription from their pediatrician, OhioHealth officials noted.
Robinson added that, especially among premature babies, those fed human milk rather than formula generally have the best health outcomes.
She noted that WIC is working on legislation that would help make donated milk available to families at need, as there is “definitely still a need.”
Although the UCHD site serves as a drop-off location rather than a place for moms to pick up donated milk, the WIC office can help families in need.
In light of the national formula shortage, Robinson said the U.S. Department of Agriculture lifted a number of restrictions regarding which formulas can be purchased with WIC benefits.
Although the WIC offices are not permitted to keep formula on hand, Robinson said they can refer participants in the program to pediatricians or food banks that have formula available. She said WIC employees also often know which grocery stores currently have WIC-eligible formula on hand.
Robinson emphasized that “WIC is very breastfeeding-friendly” and has a number of resources for mothers who can produce their own milk and would like to do so.
The local WIC office has a breastfeeding peer helper who can help mothers that would like assistance. The program also provides pumps to WIC participants.
Beyond that, Robinson said that many people are unaware that WIC does not just help babies, but works to prevent food insecurity up until age 5, when children begin receiving food from school.
She said WIC benefits have increased since the pandemic, with a specific emphasis on access to fruits and veggies. WIC benefits can even be used at local Farmers Markets, Robinson said.
While WIC offers a number of resources, Robinson said participation has declined over the “past several decades.” She said only 50% of eligible families are enrolled in the program.
Many parents choose not to sign up for WIC because they worry they are taking benefits from someone who is in greater need, Robinson said.
She said this is not the case, as “we get more, the more who participate.”
Robinson said interested families should not hesitate to reach out to the WIC office, as the purpose is to give every family the best chance at a healthy life.
“Every mom wants the best for their child, and that’s all we’re hoping to provide them with,” she said.
Parents in Union County who are interested in enrolling in WIC, or who would like advice from WIC employees surrounding the formula shortage should call (937) 645-2064.
Mothers who would like to become donors for the OhioHealth Mothers’ Milk Bank should call (614) 566-0630 or email milkbank@ohiohealth.com. Milk donors must undergo a screening process to ensure the quality and safety of the milk.