Most mothers want and actually try to breastfeed their babies. Unfortunately, some mothers encounter difficulties and barriers that make breastfeeding challenging. There are many steps we can take to make it possible for every mother who wishes to breastfeed to do so because breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for babies. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies consume only breastmilk for about the first six months of age. Beyond six months, they recommend continued breastfeeding after solid foods are introduced for two years or beyond as long as the mother and baby desire it. Why? Well, there are many benefits to breastfeeding. Here are just a few benefits:
Benefits for babies
- Lower risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
- Lower risk of asthma
- Fewer ear infections and diarrhea
Benefits for mothers
- Lower risk of ovarian and certain types of breast cancer
- Lower risk of Type 2 diabetes
- Less blood loss after childbirth
Benefits for families
- Spend less money because they do not have to buy infant formula.
- Take fewer sick days from work since babies who are breastfed tend to have fewer infections.
- Breastfeeding can also release hormones that promote healthy parenting behavior.
As a childcare provider, how can I support families of breastfed infants?
- Let mothers know that your child care site will support her breastfeeding efforts.
- Encourage mothers to breastfeed at your child care site.
- Suggest that families get the baby used to taking breastmilk from a bottle that is offered from someone other than the mother two weeks before the baby starts child care.
- Instruct parents to clearly label all frozen or refrigerated breastmilk with the baby’s full name and the date the milk was pumped.
- Consider these ideas for creating a welcoming space for mothers to breastfeed or pump breastmilk:
- Offer a clean, comfortable, and quiet place. It can be a small room or office. It can also be the corner of a classroom with a privacy screen or curtain.
- A comfortable chair, like a rocking chair, with a stool for mom’s feet
- A pillow to support the baby
- An electrical outlet for the breast pump
- Disinfectant wipes to clean up before and after pumping
As a teacher, how can I support families that want to feed breastmilk to their babies?
- Learn what is normal about breastmilk. The color and smell of breastmilk can change from day to day based on what the mother eats. It is normal for it to look slightly blue, yellow, or even green. Also, the fat may have separated from the breastmilk and risen to the top. Do not throw it away, it is not spoiled. Just gently swirl it to mix it back together.
- For babies who are fed both breastmilk and infant formula, be sure to feed the baby breastmilk first and then the infant formula.
- Be sure to talk to breastfeeding mothers to see if they plan to breastfeed at pickup. If they do, ask if they would like you to wait to feed the baby if the baby is hungry right before pickup time. This can help make sure the baby is hungry enough to nurse once mom arrives.
- Learn the hunger cues for the babies you care for. Crying is a late sign of hunger; instead, look for the infant opening and closing his or her mouth, rooting, or making sucking noises and motions.
- Learn the signs that the baby is full. Some signs include the baby sucking slowly or stop sucking, turning the head away, falling asleep.
As a breastfeeding mother, how can I successfully continue providing breastmilk for my baby after I return to work or school?
- Let your child care provider know that you want your baby to be fed with your breastmilk.
- Get a pump that meets your needs and learn how to use it. Some insurance plans may cover the cost of breastfeeding counseling and breast pumps. Call your insurance provider to see if they offer these benefits. Medicaid may also cover them.
- Start pumping your breastmilk several weeks before you go back to work or school.
- Introduce your baby to a bottle two weeks before the baby starts child care.
- Label the bottle with your baby’s full name and the date the breastmilk was pumped.
- Bring breastmilk in small amounts (1–2 fluid ounces) in case the baby wants more after a feeding.
- Bring breastmilk to the child care site in a cooler with ice packs to keep it cold.
- Tell your baby’s child care provider how your baby shows that he or she is hungry or full.
- If you want to nurse your baby at pick up time, tell your provider so that your baby is hungry right before that time.
- Consider giving your child care provider a back-up supply of frozen or refrigerated breastmilk for times when your baby wants to eat more or you are running late.
Resources:
- The American Academy of Pediatrics’ latest Policy Statement: Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk was released June 27 2022. You can access it here: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2022-057988
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a guide for the storage, handling, and preparation of breast milk in Early Care and Education programs. You can access the guide here: Storage, Handling, and Preparation of Breast Milk in Early Care and Education (ECE) Programs
- The United States Department of Agriculture has a guide for feeding infants in the Child and Adult Care Food Program. It provides guidance for feeding infants enrolled at child care sites. Direct your attention to Chapter 2: Feeding the Breastfed Baby and Chapter 4: Handling and Storing Breastmilk and Infant Formula. You can access the guide here: Feeding Infants in the Child and Adult Care Food Program
- The United States Department of Agriculture posted an instructional video describing the proper handling and storing of breastmilk in a child care site. The video is linked here: https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/cacfp/trainers-tools/feeding-infants/handling-storing-breastmilk-infant-formula
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