Breastfeeding Coalition of Delaware
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Information and Resources for Child Care Providers
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Caring for Breastfed Babies: Why Do Moms Need Your Support?
  • 81% of mothers desire to breastfeed (CDC Infant Feeding Practices Study II 2005-07)
  • 76% of mothers start to breastfeed (CDC Report Card 2012)
  • 60% of mothers do not meet their breastfeeding goals (CDC Infant Feeding Practices Study II 2005-07)
  • Returning to work is the primary reason for ending breastfeeding
  • Shorter duration of breastfeeding if baby is in early care or education environment

How Childcare Providers Can Help:
  • Work with family members to develop a breastfeeding support plan 
  • Have a list of helpful breastfeeding resources available for mothers
  • Familiarize yourself with hunger cues: mouth movements, rooting, sucking on hands, restlessness
  • Feed slowly and stop feeding when baby is ready
  • Feed the baby gently and in a way that mimics breastfeeding
  • Put breastfeeding mothers in touch with each other to encourage a support group

What can you do to protect and support breastfeeding in your facility?
  • Establish a breastfeeding policy
  • Provide staff training for safe handling and storage of human milk
  • Post Human Milk Storage Guidelines where bottles are heated and on the refrigerator
  • Designate a specific place for mothers to breastfeed or pump their milk 
  • Make breastfeeding information available to new and expecting mothers
  • Provide encouragement and recognition to mothers who choose to breastfeed

Ten Steps to a Breastfeeding-Friendly Program
  1. Policy
  2. Staff training
  3. Communication with families
  4. Learning/play opportunities for children
  5. Proper storage and labeling by programs and families
  6. Environmental support
  7. Employee support
  8. Feeding plan
  9. Referrals to community support

 Provide Space for Breastfeeding or Pumping
  • Private
  • Clean
  • Comfortable
  • Appropriate seating
  • NOT a bathroom
  • Electrical outlet for pumping

Classroom
  • Clean, comfortable, appropriate seating
  • Welcoming environment

Breast Milk is NOT Classified as a Body Fluid
According to OSHA’s & CDC’s definitions, breast milk is classified as “food” & does not require universal precautions for handling body fluids. 
You do NOT:
  • Become contaminated by touching human milk 
  • Need to wear gloves when feeding or handling human milk 
  • Need to store human milk in a separate refrigerator 

Human Milk Storage and Handling Guidelines
  • Store milk in 2-4 oz. amounts to help reduce waste
  • Clearly label containers with baby's name, date, and time the milk was expressed, and date it was frozen (if applicable)
  • Discuss milk storage with parents
  • Swirl to combine layers - shaking milk damages components that are valuable infant
  • Use first in, first out method (whichever milk was expressed first, use it first)
Containers:               
                - BPA-free plastic or glass containers, with well-fitting tops
                - Freezer milk bags that are designed for storing human milk
                - Disposable bottle liners not recommended

Resources:
  • Indiana Perinatal Network and the Breastfeeding Coalition of Oregon
  • Wood County Breastfeeding Coalition