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The impact of WIC on breastfeeding initiation and gestational weight gain: Case study of South Carolina Medicaid mothers

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  • Sonchak, Lyudmyla

Abstract

In this study, we estimate the effect of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant and Children (WIC) on breastfeeding initiation at hospital discharge and gestational weight gain, by relying on South Carolina birth certificates data for 2004–2013. The unique longitudinal feature of the data allows us to utilize maternal fixed effects to account for non-random selection into WIC. Contrary to the existing evidence, we find that WIC participation does not have a negative effect on breastfeeding initiation. We uncover an important heterogeneity in WIC's effect by race. More specifically, we find that WIC participation is associated with an increase in breastfeeding initiation among black mothers by nearly 7%, with no statistically significant effect among white mothers. We also document a reduction in the likelihood of an inadequate gestational weight gain of nearly 10% among white and black mothers.

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  • Sonchak, Lyudmyla, 2017. "The impact of WIC on breastfeeding initiation and gestational weight gain: Case study of South Carolina Medicaid mothers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 115-125.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:79:y:2017:i:c:p:115-125
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.05.024
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    6. Marianne P. Bitler & Janet Currie, 2005. "Does WIC work? The effects of WIC on pregnancy and birth outcomes," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 24(1), pages 73-91.
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    8. Rossin-Slater, Maya, 2013. "WIC in your neighborhood: New evidence on the impacts of geographic access to clinics," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 51-69.
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    11. repec:mpr:mprres:7369 is not listed on IDEAS
    12. Silvie Colman & Ira P. Nichols-Barrer & Julie E. Redline & Barbara L. Devaney & Sara V. Ansell & Ted Joyce, "undated". "Effects of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): A Review of Recent Research," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 6062ed150f6b42a1bd0e9b5d6, Mathematica Policy Research.
    13. repec:mpr:mprres:7368 is not listed on IDEAS
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhang, Qi & Chen, Chun & Xue, Hong & Park, Kayoung & Wang, Youfa, 2021. "Revisiting the relationship between WIC participation and breastfeeding among low-income children in the U.S. after the 2009 WIC food package revision," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    2. Kelin Li & Ming Wen & Megan Reynolds & Qi Zhang, 2019. "WIC Participation and Breastfeeding after the 2009 WIC Revision: A Propensity Score Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-12, July.
    3. Bersak, Tim & Sonchak-Ardan, Lyudmyla, 2021. "Marginal changes, marginal impacts: The limits of changes to WIC and their ability to influence breastfeeding rates," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    4. Sarah G. Buxbaum & Olumide Arigbede & Arlesia Mathis & Fran Close & Sandra G. Suther & Elizabeth Mazzio & Remelda Saunders-Jones & Karam F. A. Soliman & Selina F. Darling-Reed, 2023. "Disparities in Infant Nutrition: WIC Participation and Rates of Breastfeeding in Florida," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(11), pages 1-13, May.

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