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 10/24/2024 at 12:12 p.m.
In July, a Mead Johnson Nutrition distribution center was damaged by a tornado. Texas WIC was able to offer temporary formula options for Enfamil Gentlease, Enfamil Reguline, and Enfamil A.R. if they were not available at the store.
Starting November 1, you will only be able to purchase the formula listed in myWIC or your WIC shopping list with your WIC benefits. If your brand and size is not available or you have questions about your formula, please contact your WIC office.
Most babies can change to a new formula without any problems. However, some babies may need time to adjust to their new formula. Talk with your WIC nutritionist and use these directions to help support your baby’s formula change.
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 October 31, 2024.
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
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.
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Have any questions?
