Community organizations such as childcare centers and medical practices have the ability to encourage and support clients and employees to pursue breastfeeding as the primary feeding method for their infant(s).

Breastfeeding-Friendly Child Care Centers Information

Child care providers are in a unique position to promote breastfeeding and support breastfeeding mothers. The goal of most providers is to nurture and support the growing child. Child care providers can accomplish this, in part, by offering support to breastfeeding families.

Breastfeeding is possibly the most important choice a mother can make for her own health and the health of her developing baby.  Most working mothers who return to work during the first 6-8 weeks after giving birth or during their baby’s first year of life need breastfeeding support from their child care provider.  If a caregiver is knowledgeable about the benefits of breast milk and proper breast milk handling/storage, they can help alleviate some concerns new parents have about returning to work or school. 

By supporting breastfeeding, your child care establishment may:

• Benefit from word-of-mouth marketing between breastfeeding families.
• Benefit financially, as meals containing breast milk are reimbursable by CACFP.
• Experience less sick-related childcare appointments as breastfed babies generally get sick less often.

Below are some resources which may assist you on your journey towards becoming a breastfeeding-friendly child care center:

• Sample Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Plan
• 10 Steps Toolkits for Becoming a Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Center
• Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Feeding Guide
• Michigan Daycare Breast Milk Child and Adult Care Feeding Program (CACFP) Reimbursement

Breastfeeding-Friendly Medical Practice Information

Healthcare providers are a key component in not only reaching the Breastfeeding Objectives set in Healthy People 2030, but also in helping the populations they serve in their community to reach families’ individual breastfeeding goals.

Providers which serve women during pregnancy (including obstetricians, nurses, and midwives) are able to educate their clients on the many benefits of breastfeeding for both women and their babies prior to delivery.

Providers, such as pediatricians and/or family medicine practitioners, are positioned perfectly to help families become successful in their breastfeeding goals. Although many women initiate breastfeeding in the hospital (at the time of their delivery), they do not continue breastfeeding their baby once they are discharged and return home. Many women discontinue breastfeeding within baby’s first week of life because they experienced a complication and/or concern with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding becomes easier to quit when families do not have the appropriate support(s) in place to resolve their issue(s). As it is recommended for all newborns to have a pediatric exam within the first several days after hospital discharge (following their birth), this presents the perfect opportunity to address any concerns new parents may have.

When a medical practice is staffed with individuals educated on breastfeeding, and providers have local breastfeeding resources which can aid breastfeeding families, the encompassing support has been shown to have a positive impact on breastfeeding outcomes.

Below are some resources which may assist you on your journey towards becoming a breastfeeding-friendly medical practice:

• Establishing a Breastfeeding Friendly Pediatric Office
• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on How to Have a Breastfeeding Friendly Practice
• Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) for Breastfeeding Friendly Physician’s Office
• Oakland County Breastfeeding Toolkit

Any employer seeking to create a policy and/or supportive environment for breastfeeding individuals will find our Toolkit for Breastfeeding Friendly Organizations to be a valuable, comprehensive resource.

Resources

• Toolkit for Breastfeeding Friendly Organizations
• 11x17 Breastfeeding Signs
• Business Case for Breastfeeding
• Breast Milk Safety Storage
• U.S. Department of Labor - Fact Sheet #73: Break Time for Nursing Mothers Under the FLSA