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Supporting Breastfeeding Mothers and Infants
in Child Care Facilities
 Many mothers may wish to continue breastfeeding while their children are in child care. They may choose to adjust their work schedules so they can come and nurse the baby at your facility, they may collect and store breast milk for you to use while they are away, or they may have you feed the baby formula during the day but continue nursing at home. The following information about breastfeeding babies can help child care providers be better informed and support nursing mothers and their babies.
Ways Child Care Programs Can Support Nursing Moms
 Be supportive and understanding. Breastfeeding is an important way for mothers to bond with their babies and provides many benefits to mothers, infants, and care givers. Breastfed babies usually: get sick less often
spit up less
have less constipation
have less odor in stools
Create a quiet, comfortable space for nursing mothers in your child care setting. Some mothers may choose to come to child care and nurse the baby at mealtime. They may also wish to nurse their baby before they go home. Some breastfeeding mothers may feel comfortable nursing the baby while visiting with you and the other children, while others may prefer a quiet corner or another room.Preparing and Storing Breast Milk in Child Care
Breast milk does not look like cow's milk or formula. In spite of its thin appearance and blue color, breast milk is rich and nutritious. Thawed milk often has small pieces of fat floating in it that makes it look curdled. This is normal. Warming and swirling the breast milk gently will help fat dissolve.Breast milk can be stored up to 48 hours in the refrigerator. Label all bottles with the baby's name and date. Be sure milk is labeled with name and date. Use older milk first.Be sure to gently swirl bottles of breast milk that have been refrigerated or frozen and thawed. Breast milk is not homogenized, and the cream separates out and rises to the top.Warm bottles Feeding Breastfed Babies in Child Care
Breastfed babies need to eat frequently. Breast milk is digested more quickly than formula, so breastfed babies may get hungry more often. Expect to feed infants approximately every two to three hours.Occasionally, breastfed babies may have trouble accepting the bottle. This may be because babies suck the breast nipple and the bottle nipple in different ways. A breast-shaped nipple may help solve this problem. A long, soft nipple may help the younger baby get more milk from the bottle. An older baby may drink from a sippy cup with a narrow plastic spout on the lid.Watch for six to eight wet diapers during the day. This indicates that baby is getting enough food. If the baby is not wet often enough, offer bottles more frequently.Frequent, loose daily stools are normal for breastfed babies in the first two months. Stools may look like cottage cheese and mustard.Info above from : http://www.extension.org/child_care for more information
Breast Milk Storage Guidelines - for the Child Care Facility
Breast milk is considered a food - no special precautions are needed. Refrigerate bottles immediately when brought to the facility.Use the oldest milk first.Thaw frozen breast milk in the refrigerator or under cold running waterWarm milk by placing in a container of warm (not hot) water or under warm running water.Throw out any unused milk left in the bottle after a feeding or within 1 hour.Ask the parents if they would like any leftover milk sent home.Other Important Information:
Breastmilk is consider as food by CDC and OSHA. Breastmilk is NOT a bodily fluid and does NOT require universal precautions. For more info click on CDC guidelines and OSHA rulingThe American Academy of Pediatrics reaffirms its recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for about 6 months followed by continued breastfeeding as complementary foods are introduced with continuation of breastfeeding for 1 year or longer as mutually desired by mother and infant. ....end of document last paragraph - Research and practice in the 5 years Since publication of the last AAP policy statement have reinforced the conclusion that breastfeeding and the use of human milk confer unique nutritional and nonnutritional benefits to the infant and the mother and in turn optimize infant child and adult health as well as child growth and development. Recently published evidence-based studies have confirmed and quantitated the risks of not breastfeeding. Thus infant feeding should not be considered as a lifestyle choice but rather as a basic health issue. As such the pediatrician’s role in advocating and supporting proper breastfeeding practices is essential and vital for the achievement of this preferred public health goal.The World Health Organization recommends mothers worldwide to exclusively breastfeed infants for the child's first six months to achieve optimal growth, development and health. Thereafter, they should be given nutritious complementary foods and continue breastfeeding up to the age of two years or beyond.Mothers who desire to continue providing breastmilk for their child for longer than one year should be encouraged to do so.Learn how to become a Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Facility
a joint project of Florida Dept. of Health and Florida Breastfeeding Coalition
Breastfed babies and their moms who breastfeed them experience lasting health benefits. Providing a breastfeeding friendly atmosphere at your child care center can encourage moms to continue breastfeeding after returning to work or school. Complete the child care center self-assessment to find out if your child care center qualifies. If your center meets all six standards and has a breastfeeding policy, you may qualify to receive the FL DOH Florida Child Care Food Program's Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Facility designation.
How to properly bottle feed (video of paced feeding, this is both a respectful, more satisfing feeding for baby and less likely to cause overfeeding which promotes obesity)
Applications for Child Care Facilities who are on the Florida Child Care Food Program
English Application for Breastfeeding Child Care Facility (if your facility is on the FL Child Care Food Program)
Spanish Application for Breastfeeding Child Care Facility (if your facility is on the FL Child Care Food Program)
Application for Child Care Facilities who are NOT on the Florida Child Care Food Program
Application (English Only) for Breastfeeding Child Care Facility (those who are NOT on FL Child Care Food Program)
More information for Child Care Facilities and for working breastfeeding mothers at Florida Child Care Food Program and at FBC's Empowering Working Moms
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© 2008-2015 Florida Breastfeeding Coalition, Inc.
This Internet site provides information of a general nature and is designed for the purpose of promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding.
If you have any concerns about your health or the health of your child,
you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional.