Healthy Beginnings

02/02/2026

February is , a time to remember and celebrate the accomplishments, contributions, and leadership of Black Americans. Black history is American history, and it’s woven into the fabric of our communities, our health, and our shared future. That legacy includes leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose work for economic justice and food security reminds us that access to basic needs, including nutritious food, is necessary for families to thrive.

At WIC, we celebrate the caregivers, parents, and community leaders who nurture the next generation. 🫂

Learn more about Dr. King’s work on hunger and food justice: https://blog.ucs.org/sarah-reinhardt/dr-kings-demands-for-food-justice/

01/29/2026

Free Triple P Baby classes at Elkhart Healthy Beginnings Office starting Feb. 3rd! For those expecting a baby or those that have a newborn baby. Free childcare for children 8 months or older. Participants will earn gas cards and BABE coupons.

Register today at the following link!

https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eventbrite.com%2Fe%2Ftriple-p-6-week-baby-group-tickets-1963461344737&data=05%7C02%7CMNavarro%40elkhartcounty.com%7Cde7e57578dd346ecad5508de5f703974%7Cd7168a14d1914552a91daec36aa2ff9a%7C0%7C0%7C639053132762231659%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=dpI07cJxfwaM3MJmUhZhyI%2BLdMiNCnPbg8w2%2BVLJFHA%3D&reserved=0

Explore strategies for responding to your baby's cues, supporting your partner, and prioritizing self care.

01/26/2026

The shorter, darker days and lack of sunlight can make January feel long and tough to get through at times. Remember, taking care of your mental health is part of taking care of your family. It's okay to not be okay, you are not alone. ❤️
Need additional support or someone to talk to? Talk with your local WIC clinic for mental health resources or get in touch with text or call based support from the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: https://mchb.hrsa.gov/programs-impact/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline


Los días más cortos y oscuros y la falta de luz solar pueden hacer que enero parezca largo y difícil de superar a veces. Recuerde, que cuidar su salud mental es parte de cuidar a su familia. Está bien no estar bien, no está solo. ❤️
¿Necesita ayuda adicional o a alguien con quien hablar? Hable con su clínica WIC local para obtener recursos para la salud mental o comuníquese con la asistencia por mensaje de texto o por teléfono a la Línea Nacional de Salud Mental Materna: https://mchb.hrsa.gov/programs-impact/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline

01/22/2026

Too cold to go outside to play? Here are 3 indoor activities to get wiggles out or get your creativity flowing!
🎨 Make paper chains or paper crafts like snowflakes using construction paper or printer paper.
⭐ Use painters tape to make a hopscotch board on the floor.
📺 Put your favorite kid friendly music videos or silly movie on the TV and have a dance-along party.
🌈Do a rainbow challenge, try to find items at home in each color category of the rainbow. Whoever completes their rainbow first wins!
Learn how WIC can support your family at www.signupwic.com.


¿Hace demasiado frío para salir a jugar? ¡Aquí hay 3 actividades que se pueden hacer en el interior para ejercitarse y dejar fluir su creatividad!
🎨 Haga cadenas de papel o manualidades de papel como copos de nieve usando papel de construcción o papel para impresora.
⭐ Use cinta de pintor para hacer un tablero de rayuela en el piso.
📺 Ponga sus videos musicales favoritos para niños o películas tontas en el televisor y organice una fiesta de baile.
🌈Organice un desafío de arcoíris, intente encontrar artículos en casa para cada categoría de los colores del arcoíris. ¡Quien complete su arcoíris primero gana!
Descubra cómo WIC puede apoyar a su familia en www.signupwic.com.

01/13/2026

As the weather gets chillier and winter flu and cold season continues, it’s important to take steps to prevent illness and to check in with you and your child’s health care providers. ❄️
To boost your winter wellness, prioritize sleep, take vitamin D supplements (with approval from your doctor), sip herbal teas to warm your body, use a humidifier to prevent nose bleeds and sore throats from dry winter air, and wash your hands regularly with warm soapy water. 🍵💤🧼
WIC also offers health care referrals and nutrition education to help your family stay healthy this season, learn more at www.signupwic.com!

01/05/2026

World Folic Acid Awareness Week - January 5-11
Folic Acid is an important B vitamin that helps the body make healthy new cells. While everyone needs folic acid, people who are pregnant, or plan on becoming pregnant, need extra folic acid supplementation in addition to eating vitamin-rich foods. Getting enough folic acid before and during pregnancy can prevent major birth defects in a developing baby’s spine and brain.
Some foods with folic acid include:
🥬 Leafy green vegetables
🍑 Fresh, frozen, and canned fruits
🫘Dried or canned beans, fresh or frozen peas, and nuts
🍞Enriched breads, cereals, and other whole grain products
Learn more about the importance of folic acid in pregnancy: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/prenatal/Pages/Where-We-Stand-Folic-Acid.aspx
Acid

12/31/2025

All Elkhart County WIC Offices will be closed on Thursday, January 1, 2026.

As this year comes to an end, we're reflecting on a year of happy, healthy babies and strong, supported families. Thank you for letting WIC be a part of your journey.
From all of us at WIC, we wish you a joyous new year! 🎉 We can't wait to see you in 2026.

A medida que este año llega a su fin, hacemos un balance de doce meses llenos de bebés felices y sanos, y de familias fuertes y acompañadas. Gracias por permitir que WIC sea parte de su camino.
De parte de todo el equipo de WIC, ¡le deseamos un feliz Año Nuevo! 🎉 Tenemos muchas ganas de seguir acompañándolo(a) en 2026.

#2026

12/30/2025

As the weather cools down, it’s the perfect time to make warm, nourishing meals that your whole family can enjoy! Get ideas with our winter weather favorites using WIC-approved foods:
🥣 Oatmeal, grits, or cream of wheat with your favorite toppings (fresh or frozen fruit with your favorite milk OR cheese and an egg on top for a savory option)
🍚 Rice and beans, canned or dried, with your favorite seasonings (you could cook your rice in broth for extra flavor!)
🍜 Soups and stews using your family’s favorite veggies (you can add in beans or whole grain pasta to boost the nutrition of your recipe)
What are your family’s favorite winter meals? 🍲 Share in the comments!

Con la llegada del frío, es el momento ideal para preparar comidas reconfortantes y nutritivas que toda la familia pueda disfrutar. Inspírese con nuestras recetas favoritas para el invierno con alimentos aprobados por WIC:
🥣 Puede preparar avena, sémola de maíz o crema de trigo con sus ingredientes favoritos (fruta fresca o congelada con su leche favorita O queso y un huevo encima para una opción salada)
🍚 Arroz y frijoles, enlatados o secos, con sus condimentos favoritos (puede cocinar el arroz en caldo para darle más sabor)
🍜 Sopas y guisos con las verduras favoritas de su familia (puede añadir legumbres o pasta integral para aumentar el valor nutricional de su receta)
¿Cuáles son las comidas favoritas de su familia en invierno? 🍲 ¡Compártalas en los comentarios!

12/22/2025

Warmest wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season from your friends at WIC! 🧡

This time of year is all about creating special moments and memories with your family. What is your family’s favorite holiday tradition? ✨

P.S. A friendly reminder that our offices will be closed on December 24-25, 2025. We're excited to continue supporting you in the new year!



¡Los mejores deseos de parte de sus amigos de WIC para que tenga unas fiestas felices y saludables! 🧡

Esta época del año se trata de crear momentos y recuerdos especiales en familia. ¿Cuál es la tradición favorita de su familia? ✨

P.D.: Le recordamos que nuestras oficinas permanecerán cerradas en Diciembre 24-25. 2025. ¡Tenemos muchas ganas de seguir acompañándolo(a) en el nuevo año!

12/15/2025

Traveling with your breastfeeding baby can feel overwhelming, but it’s totally doable with a little preparation. And WIC can help!
Use these tips to make your holiday travel smoother for you and your baby: https://www.cdc.gov/infant-toddler-nutrition/breastfeeding/travel-recommendations.html

Viajar con un bebé en período de lactancia puede parecer abrumador, pero con un poco de preparación es totalmente posible. ¡Y WIC puede ayudarle! ¡WIC puede ayudar!
Siga estos consejos para que sus viajes de fin de año sean más sencillos para usted y su bebé: https://www.cdc.gov/infant-toddler-nutrition/breastfeeding/travel-recommendations.html

12/09/2025

12/08/2025

It's National Influenza Vaccination Week! 🩹💪 A perfect time to remember that early immunizations help children build immunity before they are exposed to germs that can make them very sick.

Vaccines are one of our most powerful tools to prevent life-threatening diseases. That's why most childhood vaccines are recommended during your baby's first 12 to 18 months of life.

Have questions about which vaccines your child needs? You're not alone! Check out this helpful resource from AAP to see what's recommended before age 6: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/immunizations/Pages/Your-Babys-First-Vaccines.aspx

¡Es la semana nacional de vacunación contra la influenza! 🩹💪 Es el momento ideal para recordar que las vacunas tempranas ayudan a que los niños desarrollen defensas antes de exponerse a gérmenes que pueden causarles enfermedades graves.

Las vacunas son una de nuestras herramientas más eficaces para prevenir enfermedades potencialmente mortales. Por eso, la mayoría de las vacunas infantiles se recomiendan durante los primeros 12 a 18 meses de vida.

¿Tiene preguntas sobre qué vacunas necesita su hijo(a)? ¡No está solo(a) en esto! Consulte este recurso útil de la AAP con las recomendaciones hasta los 6 años: https://www.healthychildren.org/spanish/safety-prevention/immunizations/paginas/your-babys-first-vaccines.aspx