Preventive Health Services for Women
The analysis here provides 2010 estimates for the cost and utilization of each of the WIC food packages for pairs of infants and their mothers. New food packages were introduced in all states by 2009 and were intended to promote breastfeeding. The estimates suggest that in 2010 just below 74 percent of infant participants (children under one year of age) received food packages associated with exclusive formula use. Relative to food packages for mother/infant pairs who exclusively breastfeed, the exclusive formula packages are around 25 percent more expensive for infants in the first six months of life, but 64 percent cheaper during the second six months.