Calling all parents and child care providers!

Foundations for healthy eating start at birth. Breastfeeding can provide long lasting health benefits for babies and their mothers. Benefits for baby include protection from infections, lower risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), allergies, asthma, and obesity. Breastfeeding mothers benefit from decreased risk of breast and uterine cancer, and may see more rapid post-partum weight loss. Often times, breastfed babies spit-up less, are sick less often, and have fewer issues with constipation and diarrhea– happy, healthier babies and happy, healthier families!

La Crosse County will be offering a breastfeeding friendly certification designed to help child care providers support mothers in continuing to successfully breastfeed their baby as they return to work. As a certified breastfeeding friendly child care, programs will be marketed through the Western Wisconsin Breastfeeding Coalition, as well on a future statewide listing, which may help recruit families. Additionally, in 2017 breastfeeding practices will be included in Young Star ratings – certifying as breastfeeding friendly now means that sites will be ahead of the game!

Selected applicants will receive on-site coaching, and access to training (recognized by The Registry) on the Ten Steps to Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Centers. Health department staff will do a pre and post assessment of the center’s breastfeeding practices and will help develop an action plan to meet requirements for breastfeeding friendly certification. Incentives including breastfeeding friendly toys, signage and materials may be available.

Interested child care centers must apply by Monday, February 29, 2016. Applications are available online; hard copies were also delivered via mail to child care sites. Parents are encouraged to discuss this initiative with their child’s daycare site! At this time, only child care centers located in La Crosse County may apply. This initiative is a partnership between La Crosse County Health Department, the Western WI Breastfeeding Coalition, and The Parenting Place. For more information, contact Maggie Smith.