NC Breastfeeding-Friendly Child Care

NC Breastfeeding-Friendly Child Care Designation Program (www.ncdhhs.gov)

Resources

Steps to complete in order to apply for the NC Breastfeeding-Friendly Child Care Designation

Feel free to download and use this action plan to complete the process.

  1. Establish a written breastfeeding policy and share with all employees as orientation/training and families as part of enrollment.

    1. Required Topics for Written Breastfeeding Policy

  2. Complete an infant feeding plan with each family as part of enrollment.

    1. Infant Feeding Plan

      1. Feeding Infants in the Child and Adult Care Food Program

      2. Breastfeeding: Making It Work

      3. Breastfeeding and Child Care: What Moms Can Do

  3. Keep a list of up-to-date printed and/or electronic breastfeeding resources for families and staff. Make all staff aware of these resources.

    1. BreastfeedNC.com

    2. Finding Support

    3. WIC Program

  4. Keep a list of community breastfeeding services for families and refer as appropriate.

    1. North Carolina Breastfeeding Resources by County

  5. Provide and track at least 2 hours of cumulative training per year to staff on the following topics:

    Note:Staff that must be trained should include: All infant/toddler teachers and long-term infant/toddler substitute teachers(e.g. 3 months or more); At least one teacher from each 3-year-old to 5-year-old classroom; Center Director/Family Child Care Home Operator; Food Service Coordinator

    Note: Keep a copy of the agenda(s) or training description(s) for each training event(s) and sign-in sheet(s) for each training event(s).

    1. Exclusive breastfeeding practices and benefits for child, mother, and family

    2. Recognizing and responding appropriately to feeding cues

    3. Using and updating the infant feeding plan (should be updated at least every 3 months)

    4. Storage, labeling, and preparation of human milk for feeding

      1. Storage and preparations of breast milk

      2. Labeling- Breastfeeding and Child Care: What Moms Can Do

    5. Appropriate introduction of solid foods with continued breastfeeding for one year or longer, as desired by families

      1. Foods and Drinks for 6 to 24 Month Olds

    6. Communication with families to support breastfeeding and lactation goals

  6. Encourage breastfeeding parents to visit the child care center at any time during the day to nurse/feed expressed milk to their child.

  7. Create a breastfeeding friendly environment by allowing breastfeeding to happen wherever those feeding are most comfortable. Have a private space available for breastfeeding for those who prefer a more private space.

    1. North Carolina Child Care Rules- Chapter 9

  8. Feed infants on cue and coordinate feeding time(s) with the parent's normal schedule. Do not offer breastfed infants food or drink (other than breast milk) unless indicated. Parents and staff should work together to establish and make revisions to a feeding plan that supports the infant feeding goals

    1. Recognizing and responding appropriately to feeding cues

  9. Display culturally appropriate picture(s)/poster(s) that promote breastfeeding in the following areas:

    1. Waiting Area
    2. Front Desk
    3. Breastfeeding Room
    4. Infant Classroom(s)
    5. Toddler Classroom(s)
    6. Preschool Classroom(s)
    7. Kitchen
    8. Staff Lounge

  10. Offer learning activities at your child care program incorporating the concept that both humans and animals provide their own milk to their infants and children's books that contain pictures of breastfeeding, play dolls that are nursing, and other learning experiences that normalize breastfeeding.