Consider
the following when choosing child care for your
breastfed baby:
Attitude: Choose a child-care
provider who is willing to support your plans
for breastfeeding and welcomes you to breastfeed
at the childcare site.
Knowledge and experience:
Choose a child-care provider who knows or is
willing to learn how to handle breastmilk safely
and feed your baby the way you have requested.
Location: If the child
care provider is located a short distance from
work, it may be easier to breastfeed right before
work or right after work at the child care site.
Ask your employer whether they will allow you
to leave work to nurse your baby during breaks
or at lunch.
Collect breastmilk in
the amount that you think your baby will take
at one feeding. Try starting with 2 ounces per
container.Be sure to label each container with
your baby's name and the date you expressed
the milk
Introduce your baby
to a bottle or cup a few weeks before returning
to work. Ideally, wait until your milk supply
is established (about 4-6 weeks) before starting
a bottle, if possible. Try offering one bottle
of expressed breastmilk a day.
If your baby will not
take a bottle from you, ask a family member
or friend to help introduce the bottle. It may
be helpful for you to leave the room to help
your baby settle down and be fed by another
person.
Some babies may have difficulty
using a bottle. Try different nipples on the
bottle, or consider using a cup or a spoon as
an alternative. Be patient and allow the baby
to explore new ways of feeding at his/her own
pace.
Keep track of the times
your baby usually wants to breastfeed
and write them down for your child care
provider. This will help your provider
anticipate times your baby will be ready
to eat in addition to watching for baby's
hunger cues.
Let your child care provider
know how you normally hold your baby during
feedings. Your baby may prefer this position
when fed by someone else also.
Leave a piece of your
clothing with your scent on it for the
childcare provider. Your baby may feel
comforted by smelling your scent and be
able to settle down to feed more easily
this way.
Arrange a few practice visits
to the child care provider before returning
to work. This allows your baby to become familiar
with new people and the new environment.
Establishing
a Routine: Work and Child Care
Breastfeed your baby
whenever you are together.
Breastfeed before work,
at home or at the child care site.
Provide breastmilk to the
child care provider every day to feed your baby.
Be sure that all containers are labeled with
your baby's name and the date the milk was expressed.
Keep breastmilk chilled
in a portable ice chest while transporting it
from home to child-care.
Express breastmilk at work
for the next day's feeding at child-care.
Resources
Breastfed Babies Welcome
Here - This informational packet by USDA promotes
breastfeeding in childcare settings. It offers
advice on feeding the breastfed baby, preparing
for childcare as well as collecting, storing
and handling breastmilk.
Contact:
Supplemental Food Programs
Food and Nutrition Service - USDA
3101 Park Center Drive
Alexandria, Virginia 22302
Telephone: 703-305-2746
