Participating in WIC nutrition program improved coping strategies in infant formula crisis, experts flag

08 Dec 2023 — Families participating in the US Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) coped better with the 2022 infant formula shortage than non-participating income-eligible families. 

WIC participants were less likely to use potentially unsafe infant feeding practices, such as using dairy milk or milk alternatives, watering down formula or using homemade formula. They were also more prone to switching to other sources, such as changing the brand or type of formula used or getting it from another source.