New York State

Information for a Healthy New York

Search

Site Contents

• Birth, Death, Marriage & Divorce Records
• Health Insurance Programs
• Employment Opportunities
• Forms
• Family & Community Health
• Health Care Professionals & Patient Safety
• Hospitals, Nursing Homes & Other Health Care Facilities
• Diseases & Conditions
• Health & Safety in the Home, Workplace & Outdoors
• Healthy Lifestyles & Prevention
• Laws & Regulations
• Statistics & Data
• Events & Training
• Grants/Funding Opportunities
• Permits, Licenses & Certification
• Press Releases & Reports
• Freedom of Information Law
• Webcasts
• Related Sites

You are Here: Home Page > Participating Day Care Centers > Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Centers  

Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Centers

The New York State Department of Health's Obesity Prevention Program encourages new mothers to breastfeed their infants. CACFP encourages child care centers to support breast feeding families. Child care providers can play an important role by supporting breastfeeding continuation when mothers return to work or school. NYSDOH CACFP has developed standards for centers to follow that will assist them in providing this support to moms. Centers that meet these standards will be designated by CACFP as Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Centers.

Why should my center support breastfeeding?

1. Breastfeeding helps my kids.
   • It protects them from infections and delays the development of allergies. Breastfeeding promotes a close bond between mother and baby and is a perfect way to "reconnect" after time apart.
   • Breastfed babies are easier to care for because they are less prone to spitting up and when they do, breast milk does not stain clothing. In addition, diapers have less odor. Breastfed babies are sick less often and are less likely to have constipation or diarrhea.
   • Breast-fed babies learn how to control their appetites, which helps prevent the development of obesity.
2. Breastfeeding helps my center financially.
   • Meals containing breast milk are reimbursed by CACFP.
3. Breastfeeding helps me market my center.
   • The Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Center designation can be used in advertisements of my program.
   • My center will be listed on the NYS DOH website as Breastfeeding Friendly.

How do I apply to be designated as a Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Center?

• Breastfeeding Friendly Self-Assessment (PDF, 61KB, 2pg.)

Where can I find more information on Breastfeeding?

• NYSDOH Breastfeeding Curriculum for grades K through 12
  Activities and teaching tools for breastfeeding education are located in the curriculum. It is intended to help students develop a well-informed attitude toward breastfeeding while studying other content areas.
• Breastfeeding Partners
  This site provides information for breastfeeding mothers and their families, pregnant women, peer counselors and the WIC program.

Where can I find Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care?

• Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Centers