What do I need to do to get full access to the initiative’s materials and assessment tools?

Local coalitions and Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agencies need to complete a Partnership Agreement in order to access all of the resources and support available. This agreement is between the local coalition/local health agency and the CCR&R. You will need to make this connection prior to accessing the information. We ask that you submit the agreement to help us track who is working on the initiative, so we can provide better assistance and evaluation data across the state. Once the signed agreement has been submitted, you will receive an email with instructions on how to gain full access to the resources.

Where can I get the resources to include in a Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care binder for a provider (i.e., forms, sample materials)?

Some materials are located on the Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care public website, but the full set of resources is located in the password-protected training section on this site. You can gain access by completing a Partnership Agreement. You can also contact wbcbreastfeedingfriendly@gmail.com if you are looking for a specific resource.

Where is my local Child Care Resource & Referral agency?

Supporting Families Together Association maintains a current listing of CCR&R agencies and their coverage areas.

Where is my local breastfeeding coalition? Who do I contact if my county does not have a breastfeeding coalition?

WBC maintains a current listing of local breastfeeding coalitions. If your county does not have a local breastfeeding coalition, contact wbcbreastfeedingfriendly@gmail.com for assistance. Some local and tribal health agencies are participating in this initiative, as well. Partnership Agreements can be signed between a local coalition and/or health agency and their CCR&R.

Who should give the breastfeeding training to child care providers?

This initiative should be a partnership between a local coalition and/or health agency with breastfeeding expertise and a Child Care Resource & Referral agency, but the roles and responsibilities of these two partners will vary by community and should reflect local capacity and interest. The ideal model is for the coalition/health agency to facilitate or support the training, since they have the breastfeeding content expertise to answer any questions or concerns. However, as long as a breastfeeding expert has agreed to provide content support as needed, it is acceptable for CCR&R staff to facilitate the training or to use the online training to get providers started through the process. If a local breastfeeding coalition is not available, contact wbcbreastfeedingfriendly@gmail.com to determine an alternative arrangement. One of the key steps in this initiative is for providers to be connected to local breastfeeding resources, so that connection and support is essential.

Is Wisconsin Registry credit for child care providers available through the Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care initiative?

YES! The training is approved for 1 hour of continuing education for Wisconsin child care providers. Instructions for how to obtain credit when viewing the training are available on the online training web page. Whether the training is offered live or viewed independently, the training content cannot be altered.

Child care providers can also obtain continuing education hours through the technical assistance or coaching they receive as part of the initiative. Staff from the technical assistance agency can provide documentation to the child care providers they’re working with to help them track these hours.

Can we customize the training content to provide local contact information or to make other modifications?

No changes should be made to the training because the content has been approved as is by the Wisconsin Registry for continuing education hours. Please note, however, that you can provide additional guidance or clarification on the training content, particularly if providers have questions or need further assistance in understanding the information.

Can this initiative help Wisconsin child care providers meet YoungStar rating criteria?

YES! Participating in this initiative could help providers meet Health & Well-being and/or Family Engagement rating criteria. Find more information here: Wisconsin YoungStar or contact your CCR&R.

How does Go NAPSACC fit into this initiative?

Results from any Go NAPSACC Breastfeeding & Infant Feeding Self-Assessment should be entered into a child care provider’s Go NAPSACC online account. Action plans and completed goals should also be tracked in the Go NAPSACC database. Child Care Resource & Referral agencies and YoungStar coaches participate in Go NAPSACC to help child care programs improve their practices related to nutrition and physical activity; and to help them meet YoungStar rating criteria in these areas. Wisconsin partners with Go NAPSACC to monitor state-level data and trends and to provide additional resources to the ECE field.

I’m confused about the different recommendations for proper storage of human milk. What guidelines should child care providers use?

Wisconsin child care licensing commentary includes guidelines from the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine for recommended storage of fresh and frozen human milk. Providers should use these guidelines. The breastfeeding training follows these recommendations, which are stricter than some guidelines for home storage and use of human milk.

I’m hearing that the CACFP or “food program” requires child care providers to feed infants a minimum amount of human milk at each meal/snack. Is this true?

While the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) suggests serving amounts in its infant meal pattern, the guidance acknowledges that infants consume varying amounts at different times and allows for that flexibility. USDA states: “For some breastfed infants who regularly consume less than the minimum amount of breast milk per feeding, a serving of less than the minimum amount of breast milk may be offered, with additional breast milk offered at a later time if the infant will consume more.” This guidance applies to any child care programs participating in CACFP, but is also included in Wisconsin licensing rule. If providers have questions or need additional support, they should contact their CACFP/food program consultant or licensing specialist.

Typically, how long does the Breastfeeding Friendly recognition process take?

The timeline will vary for each child care provider depending on the time, capacity, and resources available to implement changes, but it generally takes 2-3 months. More details on the recommended process are included in the training toolkit.

How do I get certificates of recognition for the child care providers I work with?

When you have completed post-assessments with a provider and have confirmed they meet the 10 Steps, send the provider’s name and date of recognition to wbcbreastfeedingfriendly@gmail.com. A certificate will be sent back as a pdf file that you can either print or send to the provider.

Please send additional questions to wbcbreastfeedingfriendly@gmail.com!