memo

DATE: August 2, 2017

TO: WIC Coordinators, Breastfeeding & Peer Coordinators
FROM: Marcia McCoy, WIC Epidemiologist, Operations Unit
SUBJECT: Research Article on the Effectiveness of Peer Counseling

Linda Dech, Joni Geppert and I are pleased to announce the publication of an article on the
Minnesota WIC Breastfeeding Peer Support Program in the Maternal and Child Health Journal,
now available online in advance of publication. Associations Between Peer Counseling and
Breastfeeding Initiation and Duration studied women who accepted referral to a peer program
in 2012. Some findings of the study:

• Minnesota WIC Breastfeeding Peer Support Program participants who had contact with
a peer were more likely to initiate breastfeeding and less likely to wean at any time
period during the baby’s first year of life.
• These increases in breastfeeding initiation and duration were both statistically and
clinically significant. (Odds Ratio for initiation was 1.66; Hazard Ratios for weaning were
0.45 in month one, 0.33 in months two through twelve.)
• Women who were assigned a peer, but never contacted, had initiation rates similar to
women never assigned a peer.
• Although breastfeeding rates vary widely by race, ethnicity and mother’s nativity (US vs
foreign-born), the effectiveness of peer counseling was similar for all mothers in the
program.
• In Minnesota’s WIC program in 2012, one quarter of eligible women were offered peer
services. Over 75% accepted the referral.

Please contact Marcia McCoy, Joni Geppert or Linda Dech for more information.