Hummh a daycare that will not allow breastfed babies.  Two months ago when I
selected a daycare for my baby Josh, the biggest "test question" to the
provider was, "how do you handle breastmilk."  I wanted to make sure the
daycare would be breastfeeding friendly.  I am fortunate to have found a
daycare that knows how to handle the EBM, waits for me if I am on my way
before feeding the baby, and is enthusiastic about my feeding choices.

Tonight I get to do my bit to educate daycare providers in the community. I'm
teaching a 5 week minicourse (3 hours per week) on pediatric health issues
for day care directors at the local community college (next semester I will
be teaching a course on parent-infant interaction).  Tonight's topic will be
nutrition.  I will spend the bulk of the time talking about the benefits of
breastfeeding, practical considerations in handling EBM, how to encourage
moms to continue breastfeeding.  My other topics will include baby bottle
tooth decay, iron deficiency anemia and vegetarian diets.  Three hours is
just a little bit of time, but I want to at least plant a seed.

Just doing it a day at a time!

Pierrette Mimi Poinsett MD FAAP
Modesto CA