Specifications include, but are not limited to: The goal of this project is to implement breastfeeding peer counselor services throughout the State of Delaware in an effort to offer breastfeeding support. According to evidence-based research, the peer counseling support may increase breastfeeding duration and exclusivity and bring awareness to the significant health benefits for infants, mothers, families, and the environment. The target at risk population for these services are WIC eligible pregnant and breastfeeding women, who have statistically lower initiation and duration breastfeeding rates. Additionally, this service will benefit low-income children who are most vulnerable to short-and long-term health problems. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, breast milk increases healthy outcomes of premature and low birth weight infants and children with the benefits being magnified with exclusive breastfeeding and breastfeeding beyond 6 months of age. The Delaware WIC Program supports the position of the American Dietetic Association that exclusive breastfeeding provides optimal nutrition and health protection for the first 6 months of life and breastfeeding with complementary foods from 6 months until at least 12 months of age is the ideal feeding pattern for infants
