Update: Wisconsin WIC Program (Women, Infants and Children)

To: Colleagues caring for infants and children

I am writing to bring you an update on Wisconsin’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children – our WIC program. WIC is a valued program working to ensure the health of pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and young children by providing nutritional education, nutritious foods, referrals to health and community services, and strong support and encouragement for breastfeeding as the optimal nutrition for infants. Your continued assistance in promoting breastfeeding throughout an infant’s first year of life is greatly appreciated. However, for women who do not fully breastfeed, WIC continues to provide infant formula. The objective of this letter is to review the formulas available through the Wisconsin WIC program, including formula additions and changes to our forms.

Federal WIC regulations require states to contract with one manufacturer for the routine provision of standard formulas; Gerber Good Start ® is the current supplier for Wisconsin. Contract standard formulas are available without a medical request to partially breastfed and fully formula-fed infants from birth to 12 months of age. A list of these formulas can be found at: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/P4/P40077A.pdf.

Wisconsin WIC also offers medical formulas available by request when a formula’s composition is part of the treatment for a child’s specific medical condition. Requests for medical formulas must be submitted to the local WIC agency via the Wisconsin WIC Request for Medical Formula/Food – Infants and Children form, www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/forms/f4/f44024d.docx, and be approved by the local WIC agency dietitian. This form has been updated. It has a new name and is now a combination form for infants and children. Use indications and maximum allowance for all infant formulas and child medical foods can be found on our website, www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/wic/professionals.htm.

Effective January 1, 2019, two additional formulas were added to the WIC medical formula list. Gerber HA is an extensively hydrolyzed infant formula made with 100% whey protein and is intended for management of cow’s milk protein allergies. Neocate Splash is a nutritionally complete hypoallergenic ready-to-feed amino acid-based product for children above the age of one.

Thank you for your partnership in helping children get the best chance to optimally grow, develop, reach their potential, and enjoy what life has to offer.

Sincerely,

Gary M. Kirk, MD, MPH
Chief Medical Officer, Bureau of Community Health Promotion