Early engagement with WIC services predicts continued participation in the program

August 12, 2026 – A recent study in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior (JNEB), published by Elsevier, found that how families engage with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) during the first months after the birth of a child may influence whether they remain enrolled through their child's first year.

Researchers analyzed data from 1,851 participants in the nationally representative WIC Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices Study-2. They examined which early experiences with WIC were associated with families leaving the program before their child reached 13 months of age.

About 15% of participants exited WIC early. Families were more likely to leave the program if they enrolled later in pregnancy, did not redeem all of their WIC food benefits, did not receive breastfeeding information from WIC, did not turn to WIC for infant feeding information, or were not participating in other public assistance programs.

The findings suggest that early engagement with WIC services --helping families connect with WIC nutrition education, breastfeeding resources, and food benefits --may encourage them to remain in the program and continue receiving its health and nutrition benefits.

WIC provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health and social services for millions of women, infants, and young children each month. These findings suggest that strengthening participant engagement during pregnancy and early infancy may improve retention so that families receive the full benefits the program offers.