In the News Supporting Moms Beyond Childbirth: How WIC Supports Postpartum Mental Health

The Postpartum Period, often referred to as the “fourth trimester,” is a time of recovery and many life changes. This period can be filled with so much happiness, but many new moms also experience feelings of stress, isolation, depression, and anxiety.

Peer and Professional Support: A Group of People Rooting for You or Your Loved One 

Mom Groups & Parent Circles 

Feeling isolated and alone? Would you like to make new friends or talk with people who feel the way you do? Some WIC clinics organize mom groups and parent circles to create a safe space for judgement-free conversations about parenthood. This can also be an opportunity to build community and meet new people who are going through a similar experience. Oftentimes, you are not the only person feeling certain emotions or struggling with a big life transition.

Breastfeeding Peer Counselors & IBCLCs (International Board Certified Lactation Consultants)

Frustrated with the idea or action of pumping? Would you like someone to provide guidance and support through the breastfeeding process? WIC clinics have lactation specialists, sometimes including breastfeeding peer counselors or IBCLCs who are trained professionals, who can provide one-on-one support and encouragement to continue nursing, pumping, or just trying to figure out the process. WIC is rooting for you in whatever feeding process you choose is best for you and your baby. 

Mental Health Referrals: We Can Connect You or Your Loved One to the Right Resources 

WIC staff are trained to listen and connect families with the support they need. Beyond WIC benefits, they can refer families to additional health and social services. They also screen for postpartum depression, anxiety, or distress, providing referrals to therapists, social workers, or mental health programs. Remember, you and your loved one are not alone—WIC is here to link you with the care and support you deserve. We meet families where they are and help them access the resources they need.

Nutrition that Supports Healing: Get Access to an Exclusive Food Package for Postpartum Individuals 

Nourishing your healing body is incredibly important after childbirth, and proper nutrition can help your emotional wellness, too. WIC offers a food package specifically for the postpartum period. It includes: 

Finding Healing After Miscarriage or Loss of A Baby

Miscarriage or the loss of a baby can bring deep feelings of sadness, grief, anger, and isolation. This grief is totally normal, and healing takes time. When you are ready, there are resources and communities that can support you through this difficult time. In addition, WIC provides food benefits for up to 6 months following your loss.

March of Dimes offers a comprehensive list of resources to help you connect with supportive communities during this time. Additionally, Postpartum Support International provides a wide range of services, including support groups, peer mentor programs, and guidance in finding mental health providers who will listen with care and compassion. They also highlight nonprofit organizations specifically dedicated to supporting individuals and families coping with loss. 

You deserve support, healing, and connection—every step of the way.

If You Had a Baby and Don’t Feel Like Yourself, Please Get the Support You Need

If you had a baby and are feeling overwhelmed, depressed, or not like yourself, know that you are not alone and help is available. WIC can support you and connect you with the assistance you need.

For more immediate help, call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-852-6262. It is free, confidential, and available anytime in English and Spanish.

Your mental health matters. Please reach out for the support you need.

If Someone You Love is Struggling, Here’s How You Can Help

If you are reading this and someone you love who just had a baby comes to mind. Maybe it’s your partner, sister, friend, or neighbor, and they don’t seem like themselves lately. Maybe they seem overwhelmed and distant 

Want to help but don’t know where to start? Here are a few ways you can offer support:

1. Listen without Judgement: Make space for them to talk (or not) and let them know their feelings and emotions are valid and important. 
2. Encourage Them to Connect with WIC: Mention that WIC offers help beyond food assistance with peer support, mom groups, and more. They can visit SignUpWIC.com to check their eligibility and find a clinic near them.
3. Help with the Basics: Ease the load by cooking a nutritious meal, cleaning the house, doing some laundry, or even holding the baby while they nap or shower. Sometimes care can look like acts of service to help relieve some stress during this time. 

Stay Consistent: Check in regularly, even if it’s a simple text or a drive-by dropoff. Even if they do not respond immediately, they will know someone is rooting for them. 

Why This Support Matters 

Postpartum mental health resources are not a luxury but rather a necessity. When parents are supported:

• Babies thrive → emotionally healthy parents/ guardians are better equipped to respond, bond, and nurture the baby
• Families feel stronger → Parents are more confident and more connected in the transition to parenthood or growing their family.
• Communities grow healthier→ Support spreads when it is shared.

WIC plays a vital role in creating this foundation, we aspire to make sure parents and caregivers feel seen, heard, and held.  We believe that postpartum mental health resources should be accessible and integrated into everyday care. We strive to meet diverse family needs by meeting them where they are at physically, emotionally, and socially. 

Whether you need access to nutritious food, breastfeeding support, or just someone to talk to, make WIC part of your village. Check SignUpWIC.com to check your eligibility for WIC benefits and find your local WIC office. 

Author

Paola Gutierrez

Paola Gutierrez is a fourth-year undergraduate student at UCLA, majoring in public health with a minor in food studies. She is currently serving as a Communications Intern for the National WIC Association, where she blends her passion for public health and nutrition. Paola is deeply committed to expanding access to nutritious foods in low-income communities and ensuring that nutrition information is both accessible and easy to understand.

References

WIC Works Resource System. (2025). Adult Depression. [online] Available at: https://wicworks.fns.usda.gov/topic/mental-health/adult-depression.

‌PHFE WIC. (2022). Breastfeeding Support, Resources & Information | PHFE WIC. [online] Available at: https://www.phfewic.org/en/learn-and-grow/breastfeeding/.

‌WIC for You. (2025). Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding support groups. [online] Available at: https://wicforyou.org/bcfsupportgroup/.

‌Cleveland Clinic (2022). Postpartum depression. [online] Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9312-postpartum-depression.

‌WIC Works Resource System. (2024). Food Package VI: Postpartum. [online] Available at: https://wicworks.fns.usda.gov/topic/wic-food-packages/food-package-vi-postpartum.