Child Care and Breastfeeding

Resources for child care providers 

Child care providers are champions

Child care providers can be a champions for breastfeeding moms by supporting them when they return to work or school. They can make a commitment to support breastfeeding by having written policy, staff training, resouces for families and providing a breastfeeding-friendly environment.

General Guidance and Policies

• How to Support Breastfeeding Mothers and Families: A Simple Guide for Child Care Providers (10-minute video)
• Let's Move Childcare: Resources to support breastfeeding
• Ten Steps for Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care
  A set of steps that child care providers can follow to provide support for breastfeeding families to help moms keep breastfeeding their children. Child care providers are one of the most important supports a breastfeeding mom has after she goes back to work or school
• A written breastfeeding policy provides clear guidelines about standards and supports given to babies, families and child care staff.
  Sample policy 1 (pdf) 
  
• Resources to support breastfeeding moms and families

Staff Training

• Oregon Kids Healthy and Safe (pdf)
  Chapter 2: Promoting Healthy Growth and Development - Nutrition
• Oregon Registry Online (ORO) Training
  Search by Health, Safety and Nutrition

Milk Handling and Storage

• Feeding Tips for Breastfed Babies
  Chart showing breast milk storage guidlines and feeding tips
• Proper handling and storage of breastmilk
• What if a child is mistakenly fed another's milk?
• Are special precautions needed for handling breast milk?
  The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) does not list human breast milk as a body fluid that requires special handling precautions. On-the-job exposure to breast milk has not been shown to spread HIV or HBV infection. (Source: CDC)
  

Breastfeeding Friendly Environment

• Breastfeeding promotion materials
  Breastfeeding Welcome Here; Oregon law cards; Breastfeeding Friendly Employer Packet
• Remember that child care providers are employers, too. Learn about breastfeeding laws for employers.
• Breastfeeding friendly books and toys (pdf)

Resources for parents

Take the time to find a child care provider that supports breastfeeding.

There are many good reasons to continue to breastfeed your baby when you return to work or school. When you interview child care providers, ask what policies they have in place to support breastfeeding mothers.

• Seeking Support for Breastfeeding at Work and Child Care: A Parent Guide (video)
• Checklist for Choosing Breastfeeding-friendly Child Care (pdf)
  Provides tips when looking for a breastfeeding-friendly child care provider
• Making it Work Toolkit 
  An online resource for breastfeeding mothers returning to work or school
• Making it Work: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers (pdf)
  Includes information on choosing child care and returning to work