Families

BREASTFEEDING AND CHILDCARE

Returning to work after having a baby is often a difficult time for any mom. If a mom does not believe she will be supported by her employer or child care provider, she may decide not to breastfeed, or may stop breastfeeding early. Child care providers play a critical role in supporting moms to achieve their breastfeeding goals.

Moms:

Finding a breastfeeding friendly child care provider can make a big difference in breastfeeding success. Visit our Parent Resources section on our Child Care Providers page for helpful tips.

Child Care Providers:

Being breastfeeding friendly will help you to better support your moms and improve the health and well-being of the children in your care. Visit our Child Care Providers page for toolkits, how to become a breastfeeding friendly designated child care, and visit our Videos page for videos for providers.

Traveling with Breastmilk

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has revised previous guidelines regarding breast milk. Breast milk is considered in the same category as liquid medication as long as it is declared for inspection at the security checkpoint. Travelers are allowed to bring breast pumps and breast milk, formula, juice and food for babies and toddlers that exceeds the TSA’s 3 ounce limit for liquids in carry-on luggage.

The 2016 BABES Act (Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Act) requires TSA to better accommodate parents traveling with breast milk, infant food and feeding equipment by requiring ongoing training of TSA officers to make certain policies and procedures are consistently followed. A big thanks to our friends at the United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) who sponsored the bill!

To learn more visit, Traveling with Children: formula, Breast Milk and Juice.

Milk Expression and Breast Pumps

Breasts make milk in response to the baby suckling. The more milk removed from the breasts by the child nursing or mom pumping/expressing, the more milk the breasts will typically make. No special diet is necessary to breastfeed. To maintain or increase milk supply, a mom should:

• Always try to remove milk completely from both breasts at each feeding or pumping session.
• Feed often, as much as baby wants. When together, a mom should feed her baby directly at the breast to maintain her supply and provide additional benefits. When away from her baby, a mom should pump or express milk as often as her baby usually eats (or at least every 3-4 hours) to maintain supply.
• Learn how to manually express breast milk and breast massage techniques.
• Ask a lactation professional for advice or tips on expressing/pumping and keeping your milk supply strong. 

Pumping takes practice!

Breast massage

Breast massage is an effective way to increase milk production and improve the output of milk during a pumping session. Click here for resources on breast massage techniques.

Breast Pumps

Resources for Parents

Consumer Reports

WIC

WIC – The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a nutrition program that provides breastfeeding support, including breast pumps, as well as nutritious groceries, nutrition education and other services FREE of charge to Colorado families who qualify. WIC’s goal is to keep pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under age 5 healthy. Low income families, regardless of legal status, may be eligible for WIC. All Medicaid families can enroll in WIC. Contact WIC directly, click here for eligibility information or here to find the clinic closest to you.

In accordance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act many insurers now cover the cost of breast pumps.  Contact your insurance company directly to inquire about coverage.  Consult with your healthcare providers about which pump would be the best option for your specific circumstances.

Moms with Medicaid, contact your local WIC agency to receive support and local resources.

Breastfeeding at Swimming Pools

Swimming is fine for breastfeeding moms and is great postpartum exercise. In compliance with Colorado law, a person may breastfeed a child at a swimming pool or deck area at their discretion.

Click here for more information.

Lactation Laws

For more information on Colorado breastfeeding laws, click here.

Getting breastfeeding help, especially in the early days of nursing, is very important. Breastfeeding can be a challenge. A lactation consultant, a peer counselor, or breastfeeding support group can provide essential help and encouragement any time it is needed throughout your breastfeeding journey.

Breastfeeding changes over time and different issues may arise during your journey that require help. Here are a few:

Seek professional help for your newborn if s/he is:

• Wetting fewer than 6 diapers per day
• Looks yellow or jaundiced
• Not gaining weight

Seek professional help for breastfeeding parent if:

• Nursing is painful
• Nursing is getting worse rather than better
• Nipples are cracked or bleeding
• Plugged ducts, blebs/milk blisters, and mastitis (requires immediate medical attention)
• Baby blues and crying seems excessive, or goes on for more than a few days (for more information visit https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/pregnancy-related-depression)

Other instances where support can help:

• Increasing milk supply or supply questions
• Pumping
• Nursing strikes
• Teething
• Starting solids

Options on where to go for help:

We encourage you seek help for any breastfeeding concerns.

• Birthing hospitals’ lactation departments
• Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultants – find one here
• La Leche League leaders and support groups – find help here
• Breastfeeding USA counselors – find one here
• Local WIC offices – find your agency here

Insurance coverage is a frequent question and concern for families. The National Womens Law Center has a guide on Understanding Health Coverage of Breastfeeding Support and Supplies. Moms with Medicaid, contact your local WIC agency to receive support and local resources.