Programs that become designated as a Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care in Alabama are taking the first step in supporting their community and the families they serve. They are helping to provide the children trusted to their care with the best start in life. Supporting families, educating staff, and growing the next generation of leaders by promoting evidence-based feeding practices create a win-win situation for everyone.

The Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Initiative is a collaborative effort of the Alabama Department of Public Health’s State Perinatal Program, the Alabama Partnership for Children, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, and the Alabama Breastfeeding Committee. Together these organizations recognize child care providers in the state that meet the recommended requirements to achieve Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care status.

Programs interested in becoming certified as a Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care should follow this process:

Complete Training. Contact your county Extension office to receive the Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care training for all staff and complete the initial self-assessment tool.

Implement. Begin your program’s journey to becoming a Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care by meeting five requirements. A toolkit with each requirement will be provided, and you will be given resources to help meet each requirement.

Apply. Complete the application packet. Submit completed application and one copy of all supporting documentation to Alabama Extension for review. The completed application and the $25 processing fee* must be submitted to Alabama Cooperative Extension Human Nutrition, Diet, and Health Extension Agent in your local Extension office. If you have questions, email aceshse@auburn.edu

Verify. After your application is reviewed, an Alabama Extension agent will contact your child care program to schedule a site visit to ensure compliance with the five requirements. If the program meets all requirements, recognition as a Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care will be awarded.

Become Certified. Programs that are recognized will be listed on the Alabama Department of Public Health, Alabama Breastfeeding Committee, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, and the Alabama Partnership for Children’s websites. Programs will be awarded a certificate indicating that they are breastfeeding friendly. The program will also be permitted to advertise as an Alabama Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care. The Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care recognition is good for 2 years from the date of the site visit. Your program must reapply every 2 years for continued recognition.

* There is no cost for the training or site visit provided by the Alabama Extension or Alabama Partnership for Children trainer. For a limited time, the $25 processing fee has been waived because of support from grant funding.

Helen Jones, Human Sciences Extension Regional Agent, Human Nutrition, Diet, and Health, Auburn University

New February 2022, Alabama Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Requirements and Process, FCS-2645