BFF Best Practice Standards and Resources

Based upon nationally-recognized models, Virginia’s five standards for breastfeeding-friendly early care programs are:

Download the BFF Child Care Standards Toolkit

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.

Breastfeeding-Friendly Environment

Breasted Babies Welcome Here!
Poster
[English] [Spanish]

Every Ounce Counts
Poster [English & Spanish]

Breastfeeding-Friendly Books and Toys  PDF

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creating a Breastfeeding Friendly Environment  PDF

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.

Family Support

Online resources:

Virginia Breastfeeding Coalition: 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.

Breastfeeding Basics: Learn how milk is made, when to nurse, how long babies nurse, and more.

Print resources:

Breastfeeding
A Magical Bond of Love PDF

Tips For Breastfeeding Moms
[English] [Spanish]

Breastfed Babies Welcome Here! A Mother’s Guide
[English] [Spanish]

Back to Work Toolkit: A Guide for Breastfeeding Moms PDF

Infant Feeding A Guide for Parents and Caregivers PDF

Benefits of Breastfeeding for Babies, Mothers and Families  PDF

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Virginia Law for Breastfeeding Parents PDF

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.

Infant Feeding

Infant Feeding
A Guide for Parents and Caregivers PDF

Infant Feeding Plan
[English] [Spanish]

CACFP Infant Meal Pattern PDF

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feeding Infants in the Child and Adults Care Food Program PDF

For Parents: Breastfeeding? Tell Us About Your Breastfed Baby! PDF

Infant Feeding A Guide for Parents and Caregivers PDF

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CACFP Infant Meal Pattern Fact Sheet PDF

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

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.

Breastfeeding Policy

Sample Child Care Breastfeeding Policy PDF

Sample text for Breastfeeding & Infant Feeding Policy PDF

Sample Child Care Center Breastfeeding Policy PDF

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Resources

Feeding Guidelines for Infants and Young Toddlers: A Responsive Parenting Approach

Breastfeeding and Early Care and Education (ECE) Fact Sheet PDF

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Breastfeeding Resources PDF