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How to choose a breastfeeding-friendly childcare provider
Going back to work and leaving your baby in someone else’s care can be one of the most difficult parts of returning to work. Choosing the right person and right setting takes care. You want to find a setting that will provide the kind of care and attention you would give. You want a setting that respects breastfeeding and your expressed breastmilk. This may take some homework on your part. Visits to the locations you are considering will be important. Here are some things to consider:
IN HOME CARE WITH A FAMILY MEMBER, CLOSE FRIEND, OR NANNY
IN A PRIVATE HOME
IN A COMMERCIAL DAY CARE
When you have decided who will care for your baby while you are separated, plan to ease into the situation. If the baby will be cared for in your home, have that person come to your home several days a week. You can gradually increase their interactions with the baby while you are still present and then take short trips out of the house. This helps allow your baby to get to know them better and the caregiver to know your baby, too. If the baby will be going to a location outside your home, arrange to spend time with your baby in that location so that the place and the people caring for your baby will be familiar.
No matter what setting you choose for child care while you are working, it will be helpful if you provide a journal of your baby’s typical day – feedings, naps, alert/play times, baby’s cues for feedings, etc.
Note: Many parents experience a perceived drop in supply due to the caregiver not reading baby’s cues properly and offering bottles at times that baby is not truly ready to feed. This can cause smaller feedings, milk not fully consumed, milk being tossed, and baby being hungry again sooner, which may lead to the day care going through your regular supply and into any extra bottles you may have stored there. It helps to provide your milk in smaller servings (2oz or less) and encourage the caregiver to use paced feeding. A caregiver should have more tools for soothing your baby than just offering your milk. Babywearing and cuddles are helpful tools for any caregiver.
RESOURCES
Bottles and Paced Bottle Feeding, LLLI
Read more about returning to work on our Working and Breastfeeding page.
Read more about pumping on our Pumping Milk page.
Read more about how to store milk on our Storing Human Milk page.
How can my caregiver calm my breastfed baby?, LLL USA Facebook
How do I pick a breastfeeding-friendly daycare?, LLL USA Facebook
How can my care provider get my baby to nap without nursing?, LLL USA Facebook
IS YOUR CONCERN OR QUESTION NOT COVERED HERE?
Please contact a local LLL Leader with your specific questions.
Medical questions and legal questions should be directed to appropriate health care and legal professionals.
Page updated February 2020
Resource adapted from LLLI materials.
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