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Course Objectives

By the end of this training, you will be able to:

  1. Explain how breastfeeding affects health and why it is important for early learning programs to support all types of breastfeeding families, children, and infants.
  2. Describe the evidence-based best practices to support breastfeeding in early learning settings.
  3. Apply new strategies to improve breastfeeding practices and policies in your early learning program.
  4. Talk to parents about the feeding environment you provide for infants in your care.


STARS Credit: 1

Training provides one (1) STARS continuing education hours in Health, Safety & Nutrition. See FAQ page for more information on STARS credits. 

The training should take about 60 minutes to complete. 

Our trainings can be taken once per annual STARS credit cycle (July-June). You will only receive credits for when you completed the training and only once per cycle.

Training Outline

  • 1

    Overview and Introduction

    • Course Overview and Objectives

    • Training Outline

    • Introduction

    • Take a Guess!

    • Why Do Breastfeeding Parents Need Your Support?

    • Pause and Reflect

  • 2

    Part 1: BREASTFEEDING BENEFITS

    • BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING

    • What is Unique About Breastmilk?

    • A Note About Formula

    • Breastmilk is Brain Food

    • Benefits to Babies

    • Feeding is a Time for Bonding

    • Benefits to Breastfeeding Parents

    • Benefits for Early Learning Programs & CACFP

    • Part 1 Review
  • 3

    Part 2: HOW

    • HOW TO SUPPORT BREASTFEEDING

    • Supporting Breastfeeding in Early Learning - Video

    • Breastfeeding in the WACs

    • Provide an Area for Parents to Breastfeed Infants - Video

    • Provide an Area: Tips

    • Provide an Area: When Short on Space

    • Provide an Area: When Short on Resources - Discussion

    • Creating a Feeding Plan With Parents

    • Discussion and Resources You Can Share With Families

    • Reflection Questions

    • Storing Breastmilk

    • Preparing Breastmilk for Feeding

    • Hunger and Fullness Cues - Questions

    • Hunger and Fullness Cues - Video

    • Bottle Feeding - Video

    • Further Guidance and Discussion

    • Written Policy

    • Resources for Creating a Breastfeeding Policy

    • Memory Check!

    • 10 Steps for Becoming a Breastfeeding Friendly Program

    • Key Resources for Early Learning

    • Part 2 Review
  • 4

    Part 3: SCENARIOS

    • SCENARIOS

    • Scenario 1 - Other Parents

    • Scenario 1 - Ideas

    • Scenario 2 - New Parents

    • Scenario 2 - Ideas

    • Scenario 3 - Breastfeeding Staff

    • Scenario 3 - Ideas

  • 5

    Final Quiz and Wrap-Up

    • Final Quiz

    • Action Plan

    • Summary and Wrap-Up
  • 6

    Evaluation

    • Training Evaluation

Instructor

WA State Approved STARS Trainer

Emilee Quinn

Emilee Quinn has worked as researcher, evaluator, and technical assistance provider for the University of Washington Center for Public Health Nutrition since 2011. She currently manages online STARS trainings for early learning providers in Washington State and leads and supports projects relating to public health nutrition and access to healthy food in partnership with community-based and governmental partners. Her prior experience also includes supporting systems-building efforts for early learning and child wellbeing initiatives in Washington State. She received her Masters in Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Health Behavior and Health Education.