How to Get a
Breast Pump
from
Arkansas WIC
WIC Breast Pumps
WIC only issues breast pumps to mothers who have
delivered their babies. Pregnant women are not
eligible to receive a breast pump.
Contact your insurance to see if they will provide you
with a breast pump first.
The type of breast pump issued depends on the
need. WIC staff will help determine what type of
pump is needed.
Manual or hand pumps
are for:
• Occasionalorshort
term pumping
• Minorproblems
Electric pumps are for:
• Motherswhoareseparatedfromtheirbabies:
– Premature, sick or hospitalized babies
– Part-time or full-time working or student moms
–Momsandbabieswithbreastfeedingcomplications
Receiving a Breast Pump
To receive a breast pump from WIC, mothers must
sign-up for the WIC Program as a partial or exclusive
breastfeeding woman. Even if a woman was on WIC
during her pregnancy, she must reapply for WIC after
having her baby.
Steps to Obtain a Breast Pump:
Step 1: Call for a WIC appointment at any
Arkansas WIC Clinic.
• TelltheWICstaffthatyouarebreastfeeding
• Askfortheearliestavailableappointmenttobe
able to get a breast pump
• Ifunabletogetanappointment,ornobreast
pumps are available, call 1-800-445-6175
Step 2: Take the right paperwork with you to
your appointment:
• Proof of identity—such as driver’s license, birth
certicate,Medicaidcard,immunizationrecordor
other photo ID
• Proof of Arkansas residency—a utility bill or
other item showing your address (not a Post
Ofcebox)
• Proof of income—check stub, statement from
employer,lastyear’sW2taxform,Medicaidcard,
TEA,SNAP(FoodStamps),orARKidsFirst
Step 3: Keep your appointment.
Allow plenty of time at the appointment for:
• Weight,height,andcheckforanemia(lowblood
count—momonly)
• Questionsaboutthefoodyouusuallyeat
• Educationabouthealthyeatingandliving
• Receivingamanual/electricbreastpump
Reminders
Mothers of sick or premature babies:
• WICtriestomakespecialeffortstosupport
moms of sick or premature infants
• Whileinthehospital,callthelocalhealthunit
(LHU)beforebeingdischargedtoseeabout
getting an appointment scheduled as soon as
possible once you are discharged
• Ifusingthehospital’sbreastpump,keepthe
pump kit to use as a manual pump once you are
discharged from the hospital
Mothers of full term healthy babies:
• Ifplanningtoreturntoworkorschool,a
mother can receive a breast pump on the day
she reapplies for WIC after having her baby,
based on availability
• WICclinicsarerequiredtoseebreastfeeding
motherswithin10daysoftheirrequestfor
an appointment
• Expressingmilkwithapumpwillbeeasierand
faster after milk production is well established
Mothers having breastfeeding problems:
• CalltheBreastfeedingHelpline:1-800-445-6175
• Talktoabreastfeedingspecialist:
– A breastfeeding peer counselor from WIC
–QualiedWICstaffattheLHU
– Lactation consultant from the community
or hospital
Information for Breastfeeding
Mothers & Health Professionals
Arkansas WIC Breastfeeding Helpline
1-800-445-6175
Get help with breastfeeding 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Calls received during office hours, after-hours, weekends
and holidays are answered by breastfeeding experts.
For more information, visit our website:
www.healthyarkansas.com/breastfeeding
orvisitourFacebookpage:
www.facebook.com/arwicbreastfeeding
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
June 2021