WIC Information for Healthcare Providers: Department of Health

Vendor Unit:
DOH.WicVendorSupport@health.ri.gov
Michelle Freites 222-5939
Sherrie Blanchette 222-4630
Preet Kaur 222-4633
Stephanie Pontes 222-4637
Client Services:
Denise Tamburro 222-4642
Emma Reynoso 222-4623 (Spanish)
Breastfeeding Services: Erin Bertoldi 222-5919
Nuitrition Services: Sarah Marotto 222-4605

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What We Do

Support the American Academy of Pediatrics statement on breastfeeding and the use of human milk. WIC encourages mothers to fully breastfeed their babies for the first six months, followed by continued breastfeeding as complementary foods are introduced, with continuation of breastfeeding for one year or longer as mutually desired by the mother and infant.

Assist WIC mothers with breasfeeding and make appropriate referrals.

Provide a limited number of milk-based and soy-based formulas for qualified WIC infants who are not fully breastfeeding.

What You Should Do

Encourage mothers to fully breastfeed their babies for at least the first six months.

For non-breastfed babies, recommend one of the WIC contract standard infant formulas. These formulas do NOT require a prescription.

Similac Advance; 20 calorie per ounce milk-based formula, does not contain palm oil
Similac Soy Isomil; 20 calorie per ounce soy-based formula
*Similac Sensitive; 20 calorie per ounce, lactose free, appropriate for mild intolerance issues such as gassiness, fussiness, or colic
*Similac Total Comfort: 20 calorie per ounce milk-based formula, partially hydrolyzed protein for easier digestion, 100% whey

If a diagnosed qualifying medical condition necessitates the use of a non-contract formula, complete the necessary medical documentation infants (children) so that a non-contract formula can be approved. In some cases, incomplete or limited medical information may prevent the approval of the formula requested. In order to expedite the approval process, WIC staff may need to contact the healthcare provider to obtain more detailed medical information. The following is a list of non-qualifying medical conditions:

Colic, sptting up, gassiness, or fussiness
Diarrhea, vomiting, or constipation that is of short duration or intermittent
Feeding difficulty without providing further medical diagnosis
Participant preference
Non-specific formula or food intolerance
Need or desire to enhance nutrient intake or manage body weight