Breastfeeding is one of the most important contributors to infant health. Breastfeeding provides a range of benefits for infant growth, immunity, and development. Breastfeeding also improves maternal health, and contributes to economic benefits for families, health care systems, and workplaces. Despite the many benefits, rates of breastfeeding in the United States remain low, especially at six months after birth.
Creating breastfeeding friendly environments has been shown to improvement breastfeeding rates. Below are resources to assess and implement breastfeeding supports and practices in a variety of settings. For additional general information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Breastfeeding website.
Wisconsin Resources and Publications
- Ten Steps to Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Centers Resource Kit, P-00022 (PDF) (Available in Spanish)
- Breastfeeding Education Cards developed by the Wisconsin Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program and the Maternal and Child Health Program (PDF) (Available in Spanish)
- Wisconsin Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Initiative, a Wisconsin Breastfeeding Coalition program that recognizes group and family child care providers who demonstrated support for breastfeeding families
- Breastfeeding in Wisconsin: How Hospital Actions Can Affect Breastfeeding, P-02131 (PDF)
- CDC Success Story: Wood County, Wisconsin, Childcare Providers Remove Breastfeeding Barriers
- Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) COVID-19 Supplemental Survey: Wisconsin Hospitals' Breastfeeding Practices and Support, P-03125 (PDF)
National Resources
- "Break Time Nursing for Mothers": information on the federal "Break Time for Nursing Mothers" provision with resources for employers and employees developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture .
- What You Need to Know About the "Break Time for Nursing Mothers" Law: an online guide for mothers and employers developed by the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee.
- Fathers Supporting Breastfeeding: online resource for new fathers to support breastfeeding developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Last Revised: November 22, 2021
