1. How To Support A
Breastfeeding Mother
A Guide for the
Childcare Center
Developed by the Mississippi State Department of Health WIC Program
Revised for Texas by the Texas Department of Health
Texas Breastfeeding Initiative 1
2. AAP Policy Statement
n Breastfeeding is best.
n Breastfeed exclusively for the first 6
months.
n Breastfeed for at least 1 year.*
n Breastfeed beyond one year for as
long “as is mutually desired.”
*World Health Organization (WHO)
recommends at least 2 years.
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3. Healthy People 2010
Goals
n 75% breastfeeding initiation
n 50% continuing to 6 months
n 25% at 1 year
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5. Benefits to Baby
Reduced risks of:
n Otitis media (ear infections)
n Upper and lower respiratory infections
n Urinary tract infections
n Gastroenteritis (intestinal infections)
n NEC in preemies
n Allergies
n Obesity
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6. More Benefits to Baby
Reduced risks of:
n Diabetes
n Ulcerative colitis/Crohn’s disease
n Childhood leukemia
n Sudden infant death syndrome
(SIDS) or “crib death”
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7. Breastfeeding Saves Money
In the U.S., the health care system
would save at least 2-4 billion dollars
annually if mothers were enabled to
choose and to succeed in breastfeeding
for as little as twelve weeks.
Miriam Labbok, M.D.
Medical Researcher
Georgetown University
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8. More Benefits for baby
n Increases serotonin receptors in the brain
n Enhances brain and
IQ development
n Optimizes mother -infant
bonding
n Enhances strong jaw and
facial development
– reduces need for orthodontic treatment later on
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9. Benefits for Mom
n Decreases postpartum bleeding
n Decreases risk of anemia
n Helps in weight reduction
n Reduces risk of breast cancer,
especially pre-menopausal
n Reduces risk of ovarian cancer
n May reduce risk of endometrial cancer
(of the uterus lining)
n Reduces risk for osteoporosis
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10. Breastfeeding Benefits
Employers
n Less employee turnover
n Faster return from maternity leave
n Less employee absenteeism
n Happier employee
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11. Breastfeeding Benefits
Childcare Centers
n Baby is sick less often.
n Diapers have less odor.
n Baby is happier.
n Breastfed baby spits up
less.
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12. AAP Recommendations
n Breastfeed for at least 12 months
n Provide breast milk even when mom
and child are separated
n Encourage family & community
support
n Media should portray breastfeeding
as the norm
n Employers provide facilities and time
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13. Support of the
Breastfeeding Childcare
Employee
If your childcare center is interested in
becoming a Texas Mother -Friendly
Worksite, call
(512) 458-7111, ext 6233
for an application packet.
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15. Breastmilk Supply
nSupply is consumer driven.
nBreasts make milk while baby
is nursing or mom is expressing.
nPumping schedule:
»before work
»evening
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16. Tips for Working Moms
n Mother’s milk should be well established
before pumping and introducing bottle.
n It takes 3 - 4 weeks of exclusive
breastfeeding for mother’s milk supply to
become well established.
n Let someone else other than mom give
baby his/her first bottle.
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17. Tips for Working Moms
Before returning to work or school,
mom should:
– Talk to a breastfeeding specialist
about what type of breast pump
would work best for her.
– Begin pumping 2 weeks before
returning to work or school.
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19. Storing That Liquid Gold
n Temperature n Time
Up to 79º F 4 hours
Refrigerator 5 days
Freezer
3 months
Deep freeze
6 months
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20. Handling of Breastmilk
n Refrigerated or frozen, breastmilk
separates.
n Heat breastmilk in warm water--
never microwave breastmilk.
n Swirl gently to mix layers back together.
n Thawed breastmilk can be kept in fridge
for 24 hours. Do not refreeze.
n It is recommended leftovers be discarded.
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21. Breastmilk
Is NOT Classified as A Body Fluid*
n You do not need to store breastmilk in a
separate refrigerator.
n You do not need to wear gloves to give a bottle
of breastmilk to a baby.
n You do not contaminate breastmilk by touch.
Touching breastmilk is not hazardous exposure
nor a potential contaminant.
*According to OSHA’s and CDC’s definitions, breastmilk
is classified as “food” and does not require universal
precautions for handling body fluids.
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22. Feeding Suggestions for
Childcare Worker
n Hold baby close.
n Burp well.
n Use orthodontic nipples.
n Avoid pacifiers for babies under 2 - 3
weeks old.
n Avoid solids before four to six months.
n Try not to feed baby during the last 2 hrs
before mom is due to pick up baby—or if
you do, just give baby a “snack.”
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23. Other Ways to Be
Supportive
n Praise mom for providing the very best
nutrition to her baby.
n If possible, provide “nursing nook” in the
childcare center where mom can breastfeed
her baby.
n Keep 1 bottle of frozen milk for
emergencies.
n Keep track of wet, soiled diapers for mom.
n Keep track of amount baby consumes and
report to mom.
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24. Nutrition and Foods
Brought From Home
n Clearly label each child’s bottle with child’s
name and the date the milk was expressed.
n Use the oldest milk first.
n Feed infants expressed breastmilk on
demand, unless parent provides other
written instructions.
n Staff should wash their hands before and
after feeding. 24
25. Baby’s Hunger Cues
n Turning head from
side to side in search
of breast
n Making sucking noises
n Sucking on hand or
fist
n Crying is the last cue.
Try to feed before
this stage.
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26. Things to Remember
n The risks of artificial infant feeding are
numerous and can have lifelong implications.
n If breastfeeding is not going well, the
solution is to fix the breastfeeding --NOT
to “wean to a bottle”.
n Most potential problems are easily managed
without interrupting breastfeeding.
n A little breastmilk is better than none.
n For help call Mom’s Place: 1 -800-514-6667
Or La Leche League: 1-800-525-3243
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