When you're pregnant or a new mom that is breastfeeding their baby, it helps to talk to moms who know what you're experiencing. That's why there are WIC Peer Health Educators—mothers within your local community who have breastfed their babies. These WIC Peer Health Educators are available to offer guidance and encouragement.
What a Peer Health Educator Does
Peer Health Educators give basic breastfeeding information and support moms in many ways:
- Counsel pregnant and breastfeeding mothers
- Educate on how to get a good start with breastfeeding
- Teach ways you can stay close to your baby through breastfeeding after you return to work or school
- Tips for developing plenty of breast milk for your baby
- Help with everyday breastfeeding concerns
- Connect you with other WIC or community breastfeeding resources
A Typical Day as A Peer Health Educator
Peer Health Educators use a variety of ways to connect with WIC moms such as face-to-face visits, phone calls, and text messages. Peer Health Educators also work in many settings:
WIC Clinics
Peer Health Educators meet and serve new moms at WIC clinics. They help moms feel better about breastfeeding and offer other important health information. Peer Health Educators may also help teach breastfeeding classes with other WIC staff or lead mom support groups.
Hospitals
Some Peer Health Educators visit new moms in the hospital to help them get a good start with breastfeeding.
Home Visits
Some Peer Health Educators may also make home visits to new moms and may lead breastfeeding support groups.
Meet our Peer Health Educators
"I became a Peer Health Educator because I'm passionate about breastfeeding and thought I could be helpful to breastfeeding and pregnant mothers. My favorite thing about this role is connecting with moms and being able to offer them the support they need and give them confidence in their ability to be able to breastfeed".
Hope Porter
Peer Health Educator
[email protected]
Becoming a Peer Health Educator
Sarpy/Cass Health Department recruits, hires, and trains Peer Health Educators from the community. Training prepares Peer Health Educators to provide mom-to-mom support in group settings. It also gets them ready to give one-to-one counseling on the phone or in-home, clinic, or hospital.