Picking a Childcare Location That Is Breastfeeding / Lactation Supportive
One of the things that stressed me out the absolute most when my son was small was being away from him. Actually, “stressed” is an understatement; I suffered from postpartum anxiety (and depression), but leaving my son for any amount of time absolutely threw me into a tailspin.
One of the things that I worried about, when considering being away from my son for a long (or short) period of time, was how the separation might affect our breastfeeding relationship and my milk supply. For new parents returning to work and considering what kind of childcare to set up for their small baby, they may be worried about the same thing!
When deciding on a daycare setting, here are a few things you can consider, and questions to ask, when prioritizing protection of the breastfeeding relationship:
Is there a place you can nurse right before drop-off and immediately upon pick-up? The more feeds at the breast = fewer feeds at the daycare center = fewer pumps for you. It doesn’t have to be formal—maybe just a rocking chair in the corner if they (and you) are willing! But being able to nurse immediately before leaving and upon pick-up is a great idea.
Does the daycare center have ways of comforting babies aside from feeding? A lot of times, breastfed babies find comfort at the breast. This is normal and makes sense: close to Mom, warm, good smells, and they get a snack out of it! So it also makes sense that in a daycare setting, they might be fussy. It’s louder than home, brighter than home, Mom or Dad isn’t here to comfort them, and they can’t find Mom’s breasts! A lot of times caregivers, with the best intentions, interpret this fussiness as hunger. Of course, if the baby is hungry, feed the baby! But many times, they may just need comfort. So, does the childcare center have caregivers who are adept at this? Do they wear the babies? Do they rock the babies? Do they show some creativity and effort around comforting a small baby who may not want a bottle of food every time they fuss?
Are the caregivers willing to learn how to feed using a paced feeding technique? This is more time-consuming and requires some intentionality/connection with the baby. It usually involves holding the infant in a more upright position, allowing them to initiate the feeding by drawing in the nipple, and pausing the feeding when the baby indicates they need a break. It mimics breastfeeding and may support that relationship over the long term.
Communication – It is crucial to find a caregiver or childcare facility with excellent communication. You need to feel heard when explaining to the caregivers about your child: their feeding cues, regular intake, whether or not you use pacifiers and when, etc. Ensuring you find someone who listens to your instructions on how to feed your baby is critical.
Another note I have to mention as an occupational therapist—containers. These have their place, but when a baby spends too much time lying supine in baby seats, swings, or other types of devices, it can be a risk factor for motor problems! (The AAP recommends tummy time for at least 3–5 minutes, 2–3 times per day.) So, if you’re touring a facility, you might ask (or look out for) infants being cared for in a variety of positions: on their tummies, being held, caregivers practicing rolling, sitting, etc. It might be a red flag if all the babies are in containers, or if the caregivers don’t see a problem with leaving babies in them all day.
References
Lewis-Johnson, S. L., & Brandon, K. (2024). Alternative feeding devices and topical treatments. In B. Spencer, S. Bethel Campbell, & K. Chamberlain (Eds.), Core curriculum for interdisciplinary lactation care (2nd ed., p. 552). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Hewitt, L., Kerr, E., Stanley, R. M., & Okely, A. D. (2020). Tummy time and infant health outcomes: A systematic review. Pediatrics, 145(6).
Lauders, J., & Swisher, A. (2020). When breastfeeding is interrupted. In J. Lauders & A. Swisher (Eds.), Counseling the nursing mother: A lactation consultant's guide (7th ed., pp. 629–630). Jones & Bartlett Learning.