Breastfeeding Friendly Policy

The Common Ground is committed to providing a breastfeeding friendly environment for our enrolled families and staff. Common Ground subscribes to the following policy:

Breastfeeding mothers shall be provided a place to breastfeed or express their milk.

Breastfeeding mothers, including employees, shall be provided a private and sanitary place (other than a bathroom) to breastfeed their babies or express milk with access to an outlet, a comfortable seat, and running water. Mothers are also welcome to breastfeed in front of others, in any location, if they wish.

A refrigerator will be made available for storage of expressed breast milk.

Breastfeeding mothers and employees may store their expressed breast milk in the center refrigerators. Mothers should provide their own containers, clearly labeled with name and date.

Sensitivity will be shown to breastfeeding mothers and their babies.

The center is committed to providing ongoing support to breastfeeding mothers, including providing an opportunity to breastfeed their baby in the morning and evening, and holding off giving a bottle, if possible, when mom is due to arrive. Infant formula and solid foods will not be provided unless requested by the mother. Babies will be held closely when feeding and fed using paced bottle feeding.

Infants will be fed on demand.

Infants will be fed on demand and families will be informed about child’s feeding preferences. Staff will follow infants cues for on demand feeding, unless otherwise directed by the parents.

Staff shall be trained in handling breast milk.

All center staff are trained in the proper storage and handling of breast milk, as well as ways to support breastfeeding mothers. The center will follow human milk storage guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to avoid waste and prevent food borne illness.

Breastfeeding employees shall be provided flexible breaks to accommodate breastfeeding or milk expression.

Breastfeeding employees shall be provided a flexible schedule for breastfeeding or pumping to provide breast milk for their children. We are committed to supporting breastfeeding employees meet their feeding goals.

Breastfeeding promotion information will be displayed.

The center will provide information on breastfeeding, including the names of area resources should questions or problems arise. In addition, positive promotion of breastfeeding will be on display in the center.