The Wisconsin Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Initiative is a statewide coordinated initiative supported by the Wisconsin Breastfeeding Coalition (WBC) and the Wisconsin Early Childhood Obesity Prevention Initiative (WECOPI) based on the Ten Steps to Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Centers.
The Initiative offers child care administration and infant and toddler teachers receive training and technical assistance on breastfeeding basics and on how to best support breastfeeding as ECE providers. Activities include participating in general breastfeeding education, assessing current support for breastfeeding, developing action plans based on assessment results, making changes to improve policies, practices, and the ECE environment, and monitoring progress. The focus is on provider education and improving the child care environment so that mothers who choose to breastfeed can feel confident that they will be successful in meeting their breastfeeding goals with the help of their ECE providers.
Child care providers who participate are recognized by the Wisconsin Breastfeeding Coalition and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services as “Breastfeeding Friendly.” These providers have achieved the Ten Steps and have committed to supporting breastfeeding families, including providing continued staff training on this topic and connecting families to local resources when appropriate or necessary.
Child care providers will have:
- Increased breastfeeding knowledge
- Opportunities for family engagement
- Assistance in achieving YoungStar points
- Healthy child outcomes
- Positive marketing to the community and local families
The training is approved for 1.5 hours of continuing education. The online version of the training is available at Wood County Breastfeeding Coalition website. In-person training is also available. Participating in this initiative could help you achieve Health & Well-being and/or Family Engagement points. Contact us or your local Child Care Resource & Referral agency for more information.
Find your local coalition on the Wisconsin Breastfeeding Coalition directory http://www.wibreastfeeding.com/resources/member-coalitions-and-directory/. If your county does not have a local breastfeeding coalition, your local health department or WIC office can assist you.
Email: wbcbreastfeedingfriendly@gmail.com
Website: http://www.woodcountybreastfeeding.org/BreastfeedingFriendlyChildcareCenters.aspx