Happy Healthy Iowa WIC Program

Huge shout-out to our Chief Nursing Officer at Broadlawns Medical Center, Lance Schmidt, for explaining what WIC is and who we serve in our community. 🧡

WIC is at the Urbandale Food Pantry every Wednesday to meet families where they are! 🥰

Click the link below to read more!
https://loom.ly/l6mV2Ew

Urbandale Community Hub works to bring more services under one roof URBANDALE, Iowa — In Urbandale, need does not always look the way people expect. It can look like someone who had a job in December. Someone who works with his hands. Someone who never thought he w…

📅 June WIC Travel Clinic Calendar is here!

Please note a couple important updates before scheduling your visit:
❌ We are no longer traveling to the Grimes location.
📍 Our West Des Moines location has moved — be sure to look at our website to see updated locations and hours!
https://loom.ly/-sin81A

We look forward to serving families across our travel clinic locations this month! 💙

Just like during pregnancy, eating healthy and nutrient-dense foods while breastfeeding or pumping is important! WIC offers specialized food packages for parents who are breastfeeding or combo-feeding their child up to 12 months old. 🥗🥑🍳
Your local WIC clinic may also provide breastfeeding and pumping supplies, and many parents can access free lactation support from peer counselors and International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs).

Learn more about what WIC can support you on your breastfeeding journey: https://loom.ly/mcscjbE

Iodine is an essential mineral during all stages of life! ❤️ Iodine supports the thyroid by producing hormones necessary to regulate metabolism, heart rate, and body temperature. 🌡️ Iodine is also important during pregnancy! Regular iodine intake helps form the cerebral cortex, neural pathways, and hippocampus, helping your baby’s cognitive development! 🧠

The body cannot store iodine for long periods of time, so try to incorporate iodine regularly into your diet! Dairy, seaweed, and seafood are all plentiful sources of iodine. 🐟

Want to learn more about how nutrients support your family's health? Visit www.signupwic.com/about to learn more!

📢 Important WIC Location Update!

Starting June 1, our West Des Moines WIC office will be moving to the Human Services Building. 🏢

📅139 6th Street,
West Des Moines, IA 50265

Phone (515) 282-5800
1st & 3rd Monday 8:00 - 4:00
West Des Moines Human Services Building

Please make note of the new location before your next appointment and check our website out for clinic hours and locations!
https://loom.ly/-sin81A

We look forward to continuing to serve you at our new West Des Moines location! 💙

We are closed today in honor of Memorial Day.
Our offices will resume normal business hours tomorrow.

🫛 Peas are the WIC-approved food of the month! Peas are packed with health benefits, and they’re a highly versatile kitchen staple that can be eaten raw, steamed, boiled, roasted, or pan-fried 💪

Peas are packed with antioxidants that help build your immune system. They also contain carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which can protect your eyes from chronic diseases! 👀 Peas are also a great source of protein and fiber, helping your body break down carbohydrates and manage your blood sugar! 🌟

This month, try incorporating peas in your family's diet. You can even experiment with different methods of cooking them. Let us know your favorite way! 💭

If you or your child has a food allergy, intolerance, or other adverse reaction to certain foods, WIC staff can customize your food package to fit your needs. That means more choices, fewer worries, and better support for your family’s nutritional health! 🍽️💜
To learn more about WIC and connect with a clinic near you, visit www.signupwic.com.
For food allergy resources, visit https://loom.ly/59Rqico.

Did you know there’s something you can do to help prevent your baby from developing food allergies? Evidence shows that introducing of major food allergens early can significantly lower the risk of food allergies among children. 💡
You can introduce safely food allergens at the same time you start to offer other solid foods to your baby by taking steps like:
🔹 Paying attention to timing: Start offering food allergens to your baby when they are developmentally ready, around 4 to 6 months, when other solids are introduced.
🔹 Avoiding choking risks: Baby’s first foods should always be in baby friendly forms.
🔹 Being consistent: Any progress is a great start! The key is to be consistent and gradually increase the amount of each allergen they eat.
🔹 Offering lots of variety: While you don’t want to offer two new foods in the same meal, giving your baby a chance to try lots of different foods over time helps them experience different flavors, textures, and nutrients.
🔹 Keeping your healthcare and WIC team in the loop: Talk to your healthcare team and WIC clinic staff about food allergies early, even at your 1- or 3-month appointments or at WIC check-ins! They are here to support you with your feeding plans.

For more information on introducing allergens to your child’s diet, visit www.fampitfamily.org/early-allergen-introduction.