Texas WIC and Other Community Programs Serving Teen Parents

The WIC counselor may be one of the few people in a pregnant teen’s life whom she can talk to without being judged or criticized. WIC encourages the teen mom to get early prenatal care, eat a healthy diet, and breastfeed her baby. WIC networks with community programs such as:

• Pregnancy Education and Parenting (PEP), a state funded program
• Communities in Schools, a locally funded program in Austin
• Other family life-science programs in middle schools and high schools throughout the state

These organizations work together to provide support groups for pregnant teens, encourage teen moms to continue their education, and train teen breastfeeding moms to become breastfeeding peer counselors to other pregnant and postpartum teens. WIC can refer interested parents to helpful websites.

National Child Care Information Center

Tips for WIC Staff Who Counsel Teens

Teen moms may initially breastfeed their babies — that is, while they are in the hospital or during the first few days after birth. However, they tend to breastfeed only for a short duration, often weaning their babies to formula before returning to school. Educating teenage moms with information on pumping and storing their milk, or combining breastfeeding with formula feeding, helps increase duration rates. Here are some suggestions for counseling teenage clients:

• In classes, if possible, separate the teenage mom from the older mom.
• Always treat the teen with respect and kindness.
• Use a teenage peer counselor, if possible. The teenage mom tends to relate best to another teen.
• Be practical when giving information. The mom may not be in a position to do everything you advise.
• Get a handle on each teen's specific situation. What does she believe? What are her concerns? What are her current circumstances?
• Talk with her — don't lecture. For example, ask open-ended questions, such as “What did you have to eat today?” instead of “Are you eating healthy foods?”
• Validate her concerns with comments such as “It is good you are concerned about how much milk you will produce for your baby.” Commend and praise anything she is doing right.
• Really listen to her.
• Remember, the teenage mom is oriented to the present, not the future.
• Encourage breastfeeding because it will help her be a better mother, enhance her parenting skills, and help make a unique connection between her and her baby.
• Do not judge her. She may be doing the best she can — and, remember, many wonderful people were raised by caring teenage mothers.
• Praise all of her efforts. It's good for her to know she is doing something right — and breastfeeding may be the one thing she does that she knows is good for her baby. 

Disclaimer: External links to other sites are intended to be informational and do not have the endorsement of the Department of State Health Services. These sites may also not be accessible to persons with disabilities.