Child & Family Health
Breastfeeding
Breast milk gives baby nearly all the protein, sugar, and fat your baby needs to be healthy. It also has many things that help baby’s immune system, like antibodies, enzymes and white blood cells. These protect baby against many diseases and illnesses not only while he is breastfeeding but after baby is weaned, such as:
- Ear infections,
- Vomiting,
- Diarrhea,
- Pneumonia,
- Urinary tract infections, or
- Certain types of spinal meningitis.
Formula cannot offer this protection.
Breastfeeding provides moms with feelings of fulfillment and connection with baby. Moms also recover from child birth more quickly and easily. Breastfeeding can also lower the chance of breast and ovarian cancer later in life. For more information, visit healthychildren.org
Resources:
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Learn the ABCs of safe sleep for babies:
- A – alone: Babies always should sleep alone, without siblings or other people. Nothing should be in the crib, including blankets, bumper pads or toys.
- B – on the back: Babies should sleep on their backs. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, this is the safest position for babies to sleep in.
- C – in a crib: Babies should sleep in a crib or Pack 'n Play.
An unsafe sleep environment for babies means:
- Sleeping in a bed or crib with others (adults and siblings).
- Sleeping on a sofa, recliner chair or soft bedding alone or with others.
- Using crib bumpers, blankets, pillows or toys in the crib.
- Smoking in the house or car.
Resources:
- The ABC's of Safe Sleep
- The ABC's of Safe Sleep - Spanish
- Safe Sleep Myths and Facts
- Head Re-Shape Handout
- Head Re-Shape Handout - Spanish
- Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Report_2016
Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
Through the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program, the Vilas County Public Health Department provides health and nutrition risk assessment and counseling to income eligible pregnant, breast feeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to age 5. Benefits for WIC approved foods and formula are distributed for use at participating stores statewide.
WIC Serves:
- Women who are pregnant or a new mother
- Women who are breastfeeding
- Teenage mothers
- Infants and children up to 5 years of age
- Live in Wisconsin
- Household gross income is less than or equal to the WIC Income Guidelines and/or you qualify for other programs such as Badgercare, Medicaid, Healthy Start, Free and Reduced Lunch, etc.
- Nondiscrimation Statement
WIC Provides:
- Free healthy foods
- Practical nutritional tips
- Information about community resources
- Breastfeeding information and support
- Iron screenings
- Childhood lead testing
- Vaccine information and immunizations
What Happens at a WIC Appointment?
- You will find out if you or your children can participate in WIC.
- A nurse or health aide will weigh, measure and do a simple blood test. You may bring this information from your doctor to the WIC Clinic.
- You will talk with WIC nutrition staff about food, eating habits and your family's health.
Once You Are a WIC Participant...
- You receive an eWIC card.
- You will be scheduled for appointments to return to the WIC Clinic for eWIC card updates.
- Your eWIC card will contain the WIC benefits that you will redeem for healthy foods and beverages at your local grocery stores.
- You can learn more about nurtrition and health.
WIC Hours
Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm by appointments only:
- 2nd Tuesday of each month - Nutrition Education/Benefit Issuance appointments
- Wednesday - Certification appointments
Vilas County WIC no longer offers recertification appointments in Arbor Vitae. Please call if you cannot make your appointment as these appointments fill quickly and can be offered to another participant.
WIC Locations
| Eagle River | |
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Vilas County Public Health Department 2nd Tuesday of the Month- eWIC card updates from 8:00 - 4:00 Wednesday - WIC Appointments 8:00 - 4:00 |
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Important eWIC Information:
- Keep your pin safe.
- To check your pin or eWIC balance, go to www.ebtedge.com or call 1-877-231-3452.
When to call the WIC office:
- You have questions about WIC foods or amounts.
- You were not able to buy a food that you think is WIC approved.
- Your card is lost, stolen, or damaged.
- You need to unlock your pin.
- If you think your receipt doesn't match what you bought.
Contact Information:
- WIC Office: 715-479-3782
- WIC Cell: 715-891-0815
- Laurel Dreger Email: ladreg@vilascountywi.gov
- Health Department: 715-479-3656
- Toll-Free: 866-845-2726
- Fax: 715-479-3741
Nutrition Education & Resources:
- Visit the Vilas County University of Wisconsin-Extension Local Food Resources site for additional nutrition education.
- WIC Application (.pdf)
- Parent to Parent of Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Family Ties
- Headwaters Birth-To-Three Program
- Wisconsin Regional Centers - Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs
- CDC - Caring for Your Baby & Young Child
- WIChealth.org
Lead Screenings
The Vilas County Lead Program promotes and provides blood lead screening of children six months to six years of age. We help identify primary sources of lead exposure in the environment and provide education on reducing lead exposure.
Primary sources of lead in our community include:
- Deteriorating lead paint
- Lead contaminated soil
- Lead in imported toys/materials
When exposed to lead, children do not show obvious signs of illness unless the amount of lead in their body becomes very high. However, even low levels of lead may cause delays in mental and physical development which will affect the child's future. A public health nurse will provide in-depth follow-up service for any child that is found to have an elevated level.
Please call 715-479-3656 to speak to a public health nurse about reducing lead hazards in your home or to have your child tested for lead.
More information is also available on the Wisconsin Department of Health Service's Lead-Safe Wisconsin page.