WIC - Text4baby Basics
Text4baby provides WIC clients with health messages and can even help remind them about WIC appointments. The service sends tailored messages to women about a variety of topics critical to maternal and child health, including dozens of messages specifically dedicated to breastfeeding, WIC and nutrition. Additionally, text4baby allows women to set up WIC- specific appointment reminders to help you ensure retention.
Show your clients how to sign by texting the word BABY (or BEBE for Spanish) to 511411 from their mobile phones. They will then begin receiving three FREE text messages per week, timed to their due date or baby’s date of birth.
Get Involved
Check out our WIC tool-kit below that provides more information on how text4baby specifically reinforces your WIC objectives, and can support you in identifying concrete ways to connect more pregnant women and new moms to the critical health and safety information that text4baby provides.
- Sign up as an Outreach Partner
- WIC factsheet
- Implementation plan
- Text4baby sign up guide for WIC staff
- Staff training PowerPoint PDF
- New York WIC case study
- Appointment Reminder factsheet
- Sign-up for Text4baby Tuesday to get weekly updates here
- Order free promotional materials for your clients here
Text4baby: Reinforcing WIC Education
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), the National WIC Association (NWA) and local WIC Agencies nationwide have partnered with text4baby to reinforce WIC nutrition education by providing evidence-based information and resources via 150-character text messages.
Text4baby messages are developed with the support of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Academy of Pediatrics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and an expert breastfeeding committee. There are no advertisements or product promotions.
Sample Messages:
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You need calcium to build your baby's teeth and bones. Good sources of calcium are low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt & hard cheese (like cheddar).
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A steady weight gain suggests your baby is growing. Ask your doctor or midwife (CNM/CM) what a safe weight gain is for you.
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Help protect your baby from illnesses like the flu. Breastfeed right after baby is born. Your milk can help fight disease & protect your baby.
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Soon you’ll meet your baby! Did you know that if you qualify, WIC can help you with breastfeeding? To find a local WIC office, call 800-311-2229.