WIC Benefits for your Baby

WIC Benefits for Your Baby

WIC Benefits for Your Baby

 

Healthy Starts with WIC

 

In your baby’s first year of life, everything changes so fast! We are here for you every step of the way. WIC has a variety of benefits to meet your baby’s feeding needs. WIC offers free breastfeeding support, breast pumps, infant formula and baby foods when they are ready to start solid foods.

Baby and Toddler Formula – Updated 07/25/2024 at 8:30 a.m.

On July 9, 2024, the Mead Johnson Nutrition distribution center in Mt. Vernon, Indiana, was damaged by a severe tornado. WIC is in close communication with Mead Johnson, the makers of Enfamil, and WIC grocers to assess the impact to WIC clients.

If your baby uses Enfamil Gentlease, Enfamil Reguline or Enfamil A.R., Texas WIC has temporary formula options if your baby’s formula is not available through August 31. Select your baby’s formula below to learn more.
 

Enfamil A.R. or Enfamil Reguline

Contact or visit your WIC office to update your card to larger can sizes or to discuss other formula options.   
 

Enfamil Gentlease

If Enfamil Gentlease 12.4 oz is on your card and is not available, there are two options to help you find formula for your baby through August 31. 

  • plus sign minus sign Choose a different formula.

    Choose a different formula in a similar size without updating your WIC card. You can purchase the brand and sizes below:

    • Similac Total Comfort Powder 12.6 oz
    • Similac Sensitive Powder 12.5 oz
    • Gerber GoodStart SoothePro Powder 12.0 oz
  • plus sign minus sign Choose to change your baby’s formula to a larger size.

    Choose to change your baby’s formula to a larger size. You will need to visit a WIC office to update your card to one of the options below. 

    If TEMP GENTLE PWD 19-21 OZ is on your WIC card, you can get:

    • Enfamil Gentlease Pwd 19.9 oz 
    • Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease Pwd 19.5 oz 
    • Enfamil Sensitive Pwd 19.5 oz
       

    If TEMP GENTLE PWD 27.4 OZ is on your WIC card, you can get:

    • Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease Pwd 27.4 oz
       

    If TEMP GENTLE PWD 29-31 OZ is on your WIC card, you can get:

    • Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease Box Powder 30.4 oz
    • Enfamil Sensitive Powder 29.4 oz
    • Similac Sensitive Powder 29.8 oz
       

    If TEMP GENTLE PWD 32-34 OZ is on your WIC card, you can get:

    • Parent’s Choice Gentle Powder 34 oz at Walmart
    • Parent’s Choice Gentle Premium Powder 34 oz at Walmart
    • Parent’s Choice Sensitivity Premium Powder 34 oz at Walmart
    • HEB Baby Gentle Powder 32.8 oz at HEB
    • HEB Baby Gentle Premium Powder 33.2 oz at HEB
    • HEB Baby Sensitivity Premium Powder 33.2 oz at HEB
    • Up&Up Gentle Premium Powder 34 oz at Target
    • Up&Up Sensitivity Premium Powder 34 oz at Target
    • Tippy Toes Gentle Premium Powder 33.2 oz at Brookshire
    • Tippy Toes Sensitivity Premium Powder 33.2 oz at Brookshire
    • Comforts Gentle Premium Powder 33.2 oz at Kroger
       

    If ENF NEU GENTL PWD 35.2 OZ is on your WIC card, you can get:

    • Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease Powder 35.2 oz 

Information for WIC Vendors

Download the list of alternative powdered formulas to find updated universal product codes (UPCs) for temporary items that are currently uploaded to the Texas WIC’s approved product list through August 31, 2024. Texas WIC will continue to update this list as more options become available.

Temporary Alternative Powdered Formulas 

Information for Families with Formula-Fed Infants

Whether you need to temporarily supplement or prefer to use formula, WIC staff can help you choose which WIC-approved formula is right for your baby. If you are breastfeeding and formula feeding, WIC staff can help you maintain your milk supply and work through any breastfeeding challenges. For 24/7 breastfeeding support, call 855-550-6667. 

WIC has standard formulas available. If you need therapeutic formula, a prescription is needed from a health care provider. 

Standard Formulas Offered by Texas WIC 

No prescription required for infants under one year of age.

  • Enfamil Infant
  • Similac Soy Isomil
Enfamil infant formula
Enfamil Infant 
Similac Soy Based container
Similac Soy 


Most infants do well on milk- or soy-based infant formula. If you feel that your baby isn't tolerating these formulas well, talk to your WIC nutritionist or pediatrician about one of the formulas below.

  • Enfamil Gentlease
  • Enfamil Reguline
  • Enfamil A.R. 
Enfamil Gentlease container
Enfamil Gentlease
Enfamil reguline container
Enfamil Reguline
Enfamil Added Rice container
Enfamil A.R.

 
Other therapeutic formulas may be available with a prescription.

Texas WIC does not provide:

  • Enfamil Enspire
  • Enfamil A2, Organic or ProSobee
  • Comparable Similac, Gerber or generic brands (except Similac Soy Isomil)
     

Frequently Asked Questions

  • plus sign minus sign Why does the WIC program only offer certain brands of formula?

    The WIC program is required to have a contract with a specific formula company to help keep costs down. There are separate contracts for milk-based and soy-based formulas. We renew these contracts every five years. The award for the contract from October 2022–September 2027 for milk-based formula is Mead Johnson, the makers of Enfamil. 

    The milk-based formulas offered under the new contract include: 

    • Enfamil Infant
    • Enfamil Gentlease 
    • Enfamil A.R. 
    • Enfamil Reguline 

    The soy-based formula contract will continue to be with Abbott, the makers of Similac.

    • Similac Soy Isomil

    If your infant needs a formula for medical reasons, contact your WIC office for assistance. 

  • plus sign minus sign What can I expect as my baby changes formula?

    Most babies can change from one brand of formula to another without much problem. It is a good idea to only buy 1-2 cans of formula in the beginning to make sure the formula will work for your baby. In the first few days on a new formula, some babies will have a slight change in the color of their stool or may drink a little less than usual. This is normal and should get better in a few days.

    Babies can experience spitting up, gas, fussiness or have hard or infrequent stools from time to time. This is not always because of a formula change. Talk with your WIC nutritionist and use these directions to help support your baby’s formula change. 

  • plus sign minus sign What if I’m worried about how my baby is tolerating the formula?

    If your baby has new or worsening diarrhea, blood in the stool, forceful vomiting, swelling, rash, weight loss or excessive crying, call your baby’s doctor right away. If your doctor wants you on a therapeutic formula, like a hypoallergenic formula, you will need a prescription. Print this form (PDF) and ask your baby’s doctor to fill it out. Then, bring the form to your WIC office.

    If your baby does not tolerate their formula, the WIC program can exchange any unopened cans of formula for a different type of formula available from WIC in the same month that it was purchased.

  • plus sign minus sign How do I prepare my baby’s formula?

    General mixing instructions can be found at How to Mix Infant Formula. Additional instructions are listed on the can. 


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