Are you committed to engaging in best practices in child nutrition? Early childhood programs serving infants and young children can apply to become a Breastfeeding Friendly Early Care program. Virginia partners recognize the benefits of breastfeeding and providing human milk to infants and young children for as long as a family desires. Since nearly 2/3 of Virginia’s young children have all available parents working, we know that early care settings are crucial supporters of breastfeeding. We are excited to award a Breastfeeding Friendly Early Care Recognition to child care programs that demonstrate best practices in infant nutrition.
Breastfeeding Friendly Application
Please complete the application to be recognized as a Breastfeeding Friendly Early Care program. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. The recognition is good for 3 years.
Each program will receive a Breastfeeding Recognition electronic logo to be used on marketing materials or to be printed and displayed in the program. They will also be designated as Breastfeeding Friendly in the CCAoVA provider referral database and their statewide map.
- Review the application and required standards.
- Complete the application (either electronic or paper application found here).
- Gather and submit supporting documentation. You may upload 3 files for each standard in the online application. A Professional Development Standard Training Certification is available to assist you with documentation for the Professional Development Standard.
- You will be notified of your application status within 10 business days.
If you need to submit more than 3 files per standard, you can email them to [email protected], fax them to (804) 285-0847, or mail them to:
Child Care Aware of Virginia- Breastfeeding Friendly Early Care
14321 Winter Breeze Dr., Ste. 152
Midlothian, Virginia 23113
*This program operates on grant funding and in the event that grant funding is not available, you may have to pay an application processing fee.
Benefits of this recognition:
- Demonstrate your program’s commitment to best practices in infant nutrition
- Support families’ commitment to breastfeeding and their child’s healthy start
- Educate teachers and families about the importance of breastfeeding for infants and young children
- Market your program as breastfeeding friendly to families
Based upon nationally-recognized models, Virginia’s five standards for breastfeeding-friendly early care programs are:
Environment Standard: A ‘breastfeeding friendly early care program’ provides an inclusive environment that communicates that breastfeeding is welcome and will be supported within the program. The program has a culturally-responsive, breastfeeding-friendly environment.
Family Support Standard: Families are better able to continue to breastfeed when they are supported with information and resources about breastfeeding. This program provides resources and/or Information about breastfeeding to new mothers and family members.
Online resources:
Virginia Loves Breastfeeding is a nonprofit educational organization supporting families of Virginia and their breastfeeding goals.
La Leche League helps mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education, and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother.
Learn how milk is made, when to nurse, how long babies nurse, and more at Breastfeeding Basics.
Print resources:
Infant Feeding Standard: Breastfeeding is supported when infants are fed on-demand, and when the program communicates with mothers/families about infant feeding preferences. This program is committed to infant feeding best practices.
Professional Development Standard: Breastfeeding is supported when program staff are trained and knowledgeable about the benefits of breastfeeding, responsive feeding practices, how to promote breastfeeding and how to store and handle breast milk. This program ensures that staff who care children ages 0-3 and at least one director/administrator are trained in areas below to support and promote breastfeeding.
Online resources:
Responsive Feeding Module is an online course for early care and education providers that educates on responsive feeding best practices, and on how to implement responsive feeding best practices in EEC settings.
Responsive Feeding Module is an online course for early care and education providers that educates on responsive feeding best practices, and on how to implement responsive feeding best practices in EEC settings.
Print resource:
Video resources:
Breastfeeding Policy Standard: Breastfeeding is supported when a program has a written policy that reflects support for breastfeeding mothers and families, that is shared with staff and families. This program has a written policy that addresses criteria noted below.
Other Resources
View our map below to acknowledge more Virginia Breastfeeding Friendly Early Care Sites or download a list of recognized programs.