Training Materials and Modules

Baby Behavior

About Baby Behavior

Dr. Jane Heinig trained Washington WIC staff on the Secrets of Baby Behavior. Dr. Heinig was the lead researcher in the UC Davis FitWIC Baby Behavior study.

Dr. Heinig found that parents' first response to crying is to feed the baby. The California WIC Program, with the UC Davis Human Lactation Center, developed the Baby Behavior trainings to teach parents how to read their babies' cues. The FitWIC study found that when parents learn about normal infant behavior they feel more confident about meeting their infants' needs. This results in more mothers exclusively breastfeeding their children, and when formula is used there is less overfeeding.

Baby Behavior messaging is meant to enhance, rather than replace, the prenatal and early infancy education currently being offered to clients.

WIC staff can use the following materials to train new or existing staff and for facilitating client group education. These materials will help staff develop and strengthen their Baby Behavior skills and build their confidence through applying their Baby Behavior knowledge as it relates to baby cues, crying, and sleep.

For additional training on the Secrets of Baby Behavior, please go to Washington's Learning Center (LC). WIC staff in Washington state may receive access to the LC by sending a request to WAWICTraining@doh.wa.gov.

Prenatal Education Materials

Item Staff Training Group Education
Facilitator's Guide for Staff Training (PDF) ✓  
Lesson Plan (PDF) ✓ ✓
Scavenger Hunt Worksheet (PDF) ✓  
Training Activity Instructions (PDF) ✓  
Individual Education Worksheet: Understanding Your Newborn Baby's Behavior (PDF) ✓  
Class Agenda: Understanding Your Newborn Baby's Behavior (PDF) ✓ ✓
Why Do Babies Cry? (PDF) ✓ ✓
Understanding Your Baby's Cues (PDF) ✓ ✓
Healthy Sleep: For You and Your Baby (PDF) ✓ ✓
Training Evaluation (PDF) ✓  

Early Infancy Education Materials

Item Staff Training Group Education
Facilitator's Guide for Staff Training (PDF) ✓  
Lesson Plan (PDF) ✓ ✓
Class Agenda: Baby Cues (PDF) ✓ ✓
Frequently Asked Questions for Baby Behavior (PDF) ✓  
Class Handout: Understanding Your Baby's Cues/What Is Your Baby Saying (PDF) ✓ ✓
Why Do Babies Cry? (PDF) ✓ ✓
Understanding Your Baby's Cues (PDF) ✓ ✓
Healthy Sleep: For You and Your Baby (PDF) ✓ ✓
Training Evaluation (PDF) ✓  

Staff Refresher Training Materials

Module 1 - Baby Cues

Module 2 - Crying

Module 3 - Sleeping

Energizers

These quarterly Energizers will give you an opportunity to refresh your skills and build your confidence talking about Baby Behavior messaging with your clients. They range in time from 15 minutes to a few hours and can be completed alone as well as in a 1-to-1 or group setting. Supporting documents mentioned in the Energizers are also listed below.

    Breastfeeding Coordinator's Resource Toolkit

    A new toolkit will be available in 2023.

    The purpose of the Breastfeeding Coordinator's Resource Toolkit is to help familiarize new and experienced WIC breastfeeding coordinators with their role. This Toolkit contains information and resources for helping breastfeeding coordinators be successful in helping staff promote and support breastfeeding in WIC.

    Breastfeeding Resources

    The Breastfeeding Resources Spreadsheet (Excel) contains numerous links to valuable breastfeeding resources. Staff can refer to this spreadsheet while working with participants, during staff training, or on their own.

    Note: We suggest bookmarking the link for quick reference and not printing because of the number of pages.

    Breastfeeding Review

    Civil Rights Module

    These materials are designed to help local WIC agency staff fulfill their annual Civil Rights training requirements. The materials can be reviewed independently or in a group setting. The learning assessment provides the opportunity to evaluate staff's knowledge about the information included in the PowerPoint presentation. An answer key is provided.

    Required Guidance for Nutrition Education PPT for Staff

    This PowerPoint presentation provides an overview of the Required Guidance for Nutrition Education. Topics include: 

    • An overview of the 6 Required Guidance documents
    • Participant stories with nutrition education documentation examples for Initial, Subsequent  Certifications, the Presume Eligible Complete Assessment, the Mid Certification Health Assessment, and Nutrition Education-Individual 
    • Information for the High Risk Care Plan written by the WIC RDN, the non-WIC RDN, and Group Classes

    Required Guidance for Nutrition Education PPT for staff (PDF)

    Talk, Listen, Connect (TLC)

    These TLC style session guides will help you use your breastfeeding superpowers to move the dial in the WIC clinic. These guides cover using empathy and compassion before offering education, using consistent client centered messages among all WIC staff, and assessing the message your environment is saying to clients.

    Planning to be an awesome mom

    These guides use Emotional Drivers to connect with clients about breastfeeding on a deeper level, and add another layer to WIC Connects skills. Tools (Gift Tags, Awesome Mom Letters, Simple Steps Posters, and Magnets) were carefully paired with the Roadmaps and Talk Listen Connect sessions. Print the TLC Session Guides from this webpage. Washington WIC staff can order tools from the Fulfillment Center.