The Illinois Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is making changes designed to improve the nutrition and health of pregnant women, new mothers, infants and young children. Effective October 1, WIC will offer only one percent or skim milk for children over the age of two and women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or have recently had a baby. Children ages 12-23 months will continue to receive whole milk to ensure proper growth and development.

WIC offices around the state have been discussing the campaign “Their Bodies Change, so Should Their Milk,” which emphasizes that while children over two and adults benefit from the nutrients of milk, they do not need the saturated fat and calories found in whole and two percent. This change aligns WIC with the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics. For more information about WIC, please visit the Illinois Department of Human Services website at www.dhs.state.il.us.