Daycare

Sawyer Strand

Updated November 18, 2024 22:50

My daughter will be going to daycare when I return to work. Any special instructions I should share with her caregiver since she is breastfed?

It's great that you are preparing for your return to work. This will help make things go more smoothly when your maternity leave ends.

Ask & Share

Open communication is essential, and sharing your preferences with anyone caring for your baby is crucial for building trust.

Ask to see a copy of your daycare's policies for handling and storing breast milk. If needed, share handling/storage guidelines with them.
Ask if they prefer breast milk for just one day or extra frozen milk for emergencies. Share that the amount of milk your baby takes at each feeding may vary, but there are average amounts for a breastfed baby.
Ask if you can breastfeed your baby when you drop her off for the day, and during work breaks if your schedule allows. Share that this is one less feeding for the caregiver to provide, and it is very helpful for your milk supply as well.
Ask your baby's caregiver to text you when they feed her a bottle. Share that pumping at those times will also help maintain your milk supply.
Ask them not to feed your baby right before you are scheduled to pick her up at the end of the day. Share your plan for the day and communicate drop-off and pick-up times.
Ask them to use just an ounce or two of breast milk if your baby is still hungry after a feeding or shortly before you're scheduled to pick her up. Share that this helps prevent thawing out a full feeding that may go to waste if baby doesn’t finish it.
Ask the caregiver to feed your baby using the paced bottle-feeding method. Share that this helps reduce overfeeding (which can lead to gas and spitting up) and prevents wasting breast milk. It also makes bottle-feeding more similar to breastfeeding, ensuring baby will continue to nurse well when you are together. Explain that while paced feeding may take longer, it's a gentler and more natural approach that helps reduce baby's stress.

Remember that you are the parent. Daycares have their own ways of doing things, but you are the only one who can make feeding decisions for your baby. Share with your baby's caregivers how important breastfeeding is for you and your baby. Thank them for their hard work in caring for your baby and working as a team!

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