AREAS OF FOCUS

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding provides many benefits to babies and families. Moms need support from their child care programs to reach their breastfeeding goals. Breast milk is the perfect food for babies.

4 AREAS OF FOCUS

Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Certification

Breastfeeding is a priority for many of today’s parents. Families often seek child care programs that are supportive of their breastfeeding goals and knowledgeable about the best methods for feeding and caring for infants.

The Alabama Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Certification, offered through Alabama Healthy Kids, Healthy Future in partnership with the Alabama Breastfeeding Committee and the Alabama Department of Public Health, supports child care providers in creating environments that promote and sustain breastfeeding practices. This initiative helps pave the way for healthier futures for Alabama’s children and families.

Why Become a Certified Breastfeeding-Friendly Child Care Provider?

Certification demonstrates a commitment to best practices, creates a welcoming environment for breastfeeding families, promotes infant health, and sets your program apart as a leader in quality care, making you more attractive to families seeking this support.

How to Become Certified:

  1. Complete the Required Training – Attend a Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Training.

  2. Complete the Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Self-Assessment – Evaluate your current practices and identify areas for improvement.

  3. Implement the Five Requirements – Make necessary changes to meet the Five Requirements for creating a supportive breastfeeding environment. View the PDF linked here to learn more about the Five Requirements.

  4. Schedule a Site Visit – Schedule a visit with your trainer to verify your program’s breastfeeding-friendly practices.

  5. Receive Your Certification – Once certified, your program will be recognized as breastfeeding-friendly for two years.

Alabama Healthy Kids, Healthy Future ensures that ECE providers have access to customized training sessions and ongoing technical support to assist programs in becoming certified as breastfeeding friendly. 

Ready to take the next step? Click here to let us know you’re interested in becoming certified.

What are the Five Requirements for creating a supportive child care program? 

    • A nursing room/space is available to families and staff to breastfeed or pump.

    • Educational materials are available to children and families.

    • Program has written policies on promoting and supporting breastfeeding for staff and employees.

    • Policies are shared with staff and staff are aware of their responsibility to support moms as they continue to breastfeed.

    • Teachers and staff promote breastfeeding and support breastfeeding families.

    • Teachers and staff receive professional development on promoting and supporting breastfeeding.

    • New staff receive professional development on the best practices of breastfeeding and infant feeding soon after they are hired.

    • Teachers and staff utilize responsive feeding techniques and maintain open communication with families regarding feedings.

SCHEDULE A BREASTFEEDING FRIENDLY CHILD CARE TRAINING

Alabama Healthy Kids, Healthy Future, and our partners regularly offer Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care trainings. If you’d like to schedule a session for your program or association, please contact us at HealthyKidsHealthyFuture@apcteam.org