Support Breastfeeding Families
There are many benefits to breastfeeding, even for businesses. Breastfed babies tend to be healthier and make fewer demands on public health services. Parents of healthy children take less time off work. Breastfeeding is also environmentally friendly, because there is no manufacturing, pollution, packaging or waste involved! Furthermore, when more mothers feel comfortable feeding their babies in public places, fewer infants cry in public which makes for a better shopping and dining experience for customers.
Breastfeeding Welcome Here Pledge & Toolkit
Take the Pledge
This form is for business owners in Missouri to pledge their support for breastfeeding families and request a window cling to display at their establishment.
Access the Toolkit
This toolkit guides advocates to promote breastfeeding-friendly businesses in Missouri. It outlines state law, lists health benefits, provides staff training FAQs and includes a pledge for community recognition.
The Breastfeeding Welcome Here Toolkit is a resource for local advocates who wish to create communities supportive of breastfeeding by reaching out to local businesses and public establishments. Facilities that choose to take an active role in creating communities where breastfeeding families feel welcomed may follow the guidelines of the toolkit and complete the Breastfeeding Welcome Here Pledge. Those who do so will receive a certificate, window cling and recognition on our website.
Why Should Businesses Participate?
Missouri law states “[a] mother may, with discretion, breastfeed her child in any public or private location where the mother is otherwise authorized to be.” Many Missouri businesses are already providing this level of access and comfort for their patrons and employees. In fact, 93% said they saw their business have a more family-friendly image in the community. The aim is for businesses to demonstrate their support for breastfeeding by displaying a clearly visible window cling.
- View a list of Missouri Businesses and Establishments that have taken the Breastfeeding Welcome Here Pledge
- Educate staff about Missouri breastfeeding laws and how to support breastfeeding families who visit your workplace
- Complete the Breastfeeding Welcome Here Pledge form
Where Can I Find More Information on Breastfeeding?
- Our Breastfeeding Program explains the benefits of breastfeeding.
- Our Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite Program educates worksites on the value of providing lactation support in the worksite and to recognize businesses that support their breastfeeding employees.
- Missouri Breastfeeding Coalition.
For more information contact breastfeeding@health.mo.gov.
Missouri Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) would like child care providers to successfully support breastfeeding families. Breastfeeding gives moms and babies many health benefits- yet many moms worry that going back to work will make it hard to breastfeed. Helping moms continue to breastfeed can be done with just a little time and resources. Becoming a Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care is a voluntary recognition program available to Missouri child care facilities.
To receive the award, child care providers must meet the below criteria that aim to improve the support for breastfeeding women in the workforce. Successful applicants will receive a certificate, window cling and recognition on our website. See a list of facilities recognized as "Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care".
Requirements for a Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Facility
Child care facilities must also be recognized as a Breastfeeding Friendly WorksiteArchived . The application can be sent with the Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care application.
- Has a written policy that reflects their support of breastfeeding.
- Provides a welcoming environment for breastfeeding families
- Offers breastfeeding resources to parents. Sample Team Nutrition resource.
- Feeds infants on demand and communicates with moms about feeding preferences
- Trains staff to support breastfeeding parents
Supporting Breastfeeding in Child Care
1.0 Clock Hour
This training provides continuing education to child care center employees and owners on supporting breastfeeding mothers whose babies are in their care. This training counts as the 1 hour training requirement of becoming a Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care.
Achieve Breastfeeding Friendly Recognition
Complete the Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care online application .
Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Instructions
For more information on becoming a Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care, contact the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services at BreastfeedingFriendly@health.mo.gov.
Where can I find more information on breastfeeding?
- Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Breastfeeding Program explains the benefits of breastfeeding.
- The Missouri Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite Program educates worksites on the value of providing lactation support in the worksite and to recognize businesses that support their breastfeeding employees.
- Missouri Breastfeeding Coalition
Missouri Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Application
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and the Missouri Breastfeeding Coalition would like to recognize child care providers in Missouri that provide support to their breastfeeding families and employees through the Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Award. To receive the award, child care providers must meet the criteria below that aim to improve the support for breastfeeding women in the workforce. Successful applicants will receive a certificate, window cling and recognition on the DHSS website.
Requirements for a Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Facility
- Has a written breastfeeding policy that complies with the Federal Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
- Provides a welcoming environment for breastfeeding families
- Offers breastfeeding resources to parents
- Feeds infants on demand and communicates with moms about feeding preferences
- Trains staff to support breastfeeding parents
- Completed application to be recognized as a Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite.
Where can I find more information on breastfeeding?
- The Missouri WIC Program promotes, supports, and protects breastfeeding as the perfect food for babies, having all the essential nutrients and sufficient calories to meet infants' needs.
- Missouri Breastfeeding Coalition.
For questions, contact:
Bureau of Community Health and Wellness
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Phone: (573)522-2820
BreastfeedingFriendly@health.mo.gov