Breastfeeding Policy

Policies related to breastfeeding support ensure that all parties have same understanding of requirements procedures.

The best practice (per GO NAPSACC) and the related resources in this section focus on the development and implementation of policies that help staff ensure continuity of care for children and that all program standards are met. Written policies are also helpful when explaining to parents how a program operates.

Best Practice

The resources in this category are curated to meet the following GO NAPSACC best practice:

  • There is a written policy on promoting and supporting breastfeeding that includes a variety of topics related to the breastfeeding environment and support and education for families, teachers, and staff.

Resources

Action Guide: For Child Care Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies

Summary: A guide for creating policies including rationale, steps for creating policies, and policy recommendations.

Source: Connecticut State Department of Education

Caring for Our Children Basics

Summary: Outlines a set of voluntary, foundational health and safety standards for early care and education programs. Based on best practices, these standards are designed to help protect children and support their healthy development in child care settings.

Source: National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assurance, Administration for Children and Families

Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments

Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the appropriate assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.

Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)

Healthy Beverage Consumption in Early Childhood: Recommendations from Key National Health and Nutrition Organizations

Summary: CDC’s recommendations and rationale for child care policies and practice regarding breastmilk and other beverages.

Source: Center for Disease Control

Healthy Kids, Healthy Future

Summary: Click on the Support Breastfeeding Circle to get information about how to support breast feeding in a day care setting as well as tips for setting up a breastfeeding area. Use the menu to the left to find more policy activities and resources.

Source: The Nemours Foundation

Sample Child Care Center Breastfeeding Policy

Summary: A sample policy to promote breastfeeding in child care centers.

Source: Florida Breastfeeding Coalition

Sample Policy for Breast Feeding at Child Care

Summary: A sample policy to promote breastfeeding in child care centers

Source: Arizona Department of Health Services

Sample Policy: Supporting Breastfeeding in the Child Care Setting Parent Handbook

Summary: Sample policy that can be included in the infant/child feeding section of a parent handbook.

Source: Michigan Breastfeeding Network

Storage, Handling, and Preparation of Breast Milk in Early Care and Education (ECE) Programs

Summary: Simple tip sheet storing, handling, preparing, and disposing breastmilk.

Source: Center for Disease Control

Ten Steps to Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Centers Resource Kit

Summary: A resource kit to promote breastfeeding in child care centers in 10 simple steps.

Source: Wisconsin Department of Health and Human Services