WIC Program
WIC is a federally funded program that provides healthy foods and nutrition counseling for pregnant people, new parents, infants and children under age five.
For more information about the Howard County WIC Program. call 410-313-7510.
Breastfeeding Resources (Spanish)
Howard County Food Connection Map
Healthy Eating (Howard County Local Health Improvement Coalition)
ENROLL TODAY!
For more information and to sign up, call us at 410-313-7510.
Diaper Giveaway
The PEACE Project is hosting upcoming FREE diaper giveaways at the Howard County Health Department (8930 Stanford Blvd., Columbia, MD 21045) from 10:30a - 12:30p (while supplies last) on the following date: December 8. Walk-in only; no registration required. Our PEACE Project team will be on-hand to answer questions and provide resources for other pregnancy needs.
Come to the rear entrance of our building. Signs will direct you.
Effective July 1, 2025, Maryland WIC will be offering organic foods in these three categories only:
- Tofu
- Baby cereal and baby food
- Fruits and vegetables purchased with fruit & veggie dollars (CVB)
Organic versions of other WIC foods will no longer be available.
For more information, contact your local WIC office, check your WIC app, or log in to the Client Portal. You can view the approved food list at MDWIC.ORG.
Appointments are preferred (but walk-ins accepted).
WHEN: First Thursday of the month
WHAT: Oral health and dental screening (also includes a fluoride varnish and a referral to services at Chase Brexton, if needed)
WHO: Pregnant moms and children on WIC
MORE INFORMATION: Call us at 410-313-7510
What is congenital syphilis (CS)?
Congenital syphilis (CS) is a disease that happens when a mother with syphilis passes the infection on to her baby during pregnancy.
How can CS affect my baby?
CS can have major health impacts on your baby.
CS can cause:
- Miscarriage (losing the baby during pregnancy)
- Stillbirth (a baby born dead)
- Prematurity (a baby born early)
- Low birth weight
- Death shortly after birth
CS is preventable and curable! To learn more visit our STI page here or call 410-313-1412
WIC Information
- Pregnant women
- New moms (up to six months after delivery)
- Breastfeeding moms (up to one year after delivery)
- Infants
- Children under the age of five
*You must meet income guidelines, see link for more details regarding eligibility.
- Lactation support and education
- For general breastfeeding questions and Certified Breastfeeding Specialist appointments call 410-313-7510 (Columbia) or 410-313-0630 (North Laurel)
- WIC CLIENTS ONLY: For breastfeeding concerns or issues after 5:00pm until 10:00pm (Monday-Friday) call our Breastfeeding warmline at 410-313-0608. - Nutrition support, education, and food assistance
- Dental screenings
- Referral to local healthcare and social services
- Call Howard County WIC at 410-313-7510.
- Learn more about the documents that must be provided.
Columbia Health Center
8930 Stanford Blvd
Columbia, MD 21045
Telephone: 410-313-7510 (voice/relay)
Email: HowardWIC@howardcountymd.gov
Fax: 410-313-5719
Hours: 8:00am - 4:30 pm - Monday through Friday
North Laurel Health Center
9411 Whiskey Bottom Rd
Laurel, MD 20723
Telephone:: 410-313-0630 (voice/relay)
Fax 410-313-5719
Hours: 8:00am - 5:00 pm - Monday through Friday
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Read full statement.
- Maryland WIC Hotline: 1-800-242-4WIC (4942)
- Maryland WIC
- Eatright.org - Academy of Nutrition and Dietitics
- Food & Nutrition Information Center - United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
If you are a WIC family, contact us for assistance locating products or making changes to your WIC food benefits.
- If you are not a Maryland WIC participant, visit the Maryland WIC website to learn how to apply, or call us at 410-313-7510 to find out if you are eligible for benefits.
WIC Breastfeeding Program
Breastfeeding Program Counselors offer support to parents who want help with:
- good breastfeeding positions,
- proper breastfeeding latch
- ensuring breast feeding does not hurt
- learning about baby behavior and feeding cues
If you are already breast feeding, our breastfeeding experts can help with:
- great moral support
- pumping questions
- questions as your baby grows
- when to introduce solid foods while breastfeeding
- what to do when your baby grows teeth
- when to ween your baby
- and more...
Breastfeeding/Lactation support and education
Our certified breastfeeding specialists are here to help you and your baby.
- For general breastfeeding questions and Certified Breastfeeding Specialist appointments call 410-313-7510 (Columbia) or 410-313-0630 (North Laurel)
- WIC CLIENTS ONLY: For breastfeeding concerns or issues after 5:00pm until 10:00pm (Monday-Friday) call our Breastfeeding warmline at 410-313-0608.
Columbia Health Center
8930 Stanford Blvd
Columbia, MD 21045
Telephone: 410-313-7510 (voice/relay)
Email: HowardWIC@howardcountymd.gov
Fax: 410-313-5719
Hours: 8:00am - 4:30 pm - Monday through Friday
North Laurel Health Center
9411 Whiskey Bottom Rd
Laurel, MD 20723
Telephone:: 410-313-0630 (voice/relay)
Fax 410-313-5719
Hours: 8:00am - 5:00 pm - Monday through Friday
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Read full statement.
- Breastfeeding support resources (English)
- Recursos de apoyo para la lactancia (español)
The CDC guidance has changed. People with HIV who are taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) and have very low or undetectable viral loads have less than a one percent chance of passing HIV through breastmilk. They are encouraged to think about breastfeeding.
With an increased viral load, the chance of passing HIV through breastfeeding could be as high as 40%. Anyone not taking ART, or with an increased viral load, should think about choosing infant formula because there is no risk of passing HIV.
It is important to keep taking ART and keep going to healthcare appointments for the best chance of keeping the viral load low.
IMPORTANT
*** WIC is NOT part of Public Charge. *** ("Public Charge" means any immigrant who receives one or more public benefits for more than 12 months total within a 36 month period.) The final Public Charge rule says that WIC participation will NOT be considered in any "public charge" determination conducted in the United States. WIC clinics do NOT collect information about immigration status. They do NOT share personal participant information with immigration authorities.