Choosing Child Care

Finding the right fit for your baby


 

It is best to choose a child care provider who is ready to support your breastfeeding goals. Ask if their staff has been trained in supporting breastfeeding and safely storing, handling and preparing breastmilk.

All of your baby's care providers should know:

  • How to know when they are hungry

  • How to know when they are finished eating

  • How to comfort them when they are crying 

  • How to store pumped breastmilk

  • How to warm breastmilk

Infants at daycare with daycare worker

what about friends and family?

Will a friend or family member be caring for your baby while you work (instead of a professional child care provider)? If so, make sure they know the best ways to support your breastfeeding efforts. Another resource in this lesson will share ideas on how to talk to your baby’s caregivers about caring for your breastfed child.

It would be helpful if you could find a child care provider who is breastfeeding-friendly and close to your work. When you are looking for a child care provider, be sure to ask what guidelines they have in place to support mothers who choose to breastfeed. You should also ask if they are familiar with paced bottle feeding.

Mom with child at daycare

Once you have decided on your child care provider, use these tips to make the transition easier:

  • Visit your child care center a few times before your baby’s first day there. 

  • Make a backup plan. Be sure that you know what to do if your baby is sick or their caregiver is not available on a day you have to work.

  • Before you go back to work, take your baby to your child care provider to practice your routine. Do at least one practice run where you leave them with a caregiver who will feed them a bottle of breastmilk.

  • If your baby needs to be fed with formula, be sure to teach your caretaker how to properly and safely prepare formula.