--- title: A Strong Start Begins with Breastfeeding description: Supporting breastfeeding in child care settings promotes infant health and development while aiding maternal wellness. Learn how to create a breastfeeding-friendly environment with Go NAPSACC resources. image: https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/hubfs/Clix%202026.01.13.png --- [![Child Care Aware of Missouri Logo](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Child%20Care%20Aware%20Logo%20(1).png?width=666&height=414&name=Child%20Care%20Aware%20Logo%20(1).png "Child Care Aware of Missouri Logo")](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication) Open main menu Close main menu [Child Care Health and Wellness](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/child-care-health-and-wellness) # A Strong Start Begins with Breastfeeding [Child Care Aware® of Missouri](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/author/child-care-aware-of-missouri) [Share this blog post via Email](mailto:?subject=%3Cspan+id%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper_name%22+class%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper+hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field+hs_cos_wrapper_type_text%22+style%3D%22%22+data-hs-cos-general-type%3D%22meta_field%22+data-hs-cos-type%3D%22text%22+%3EA+Strong+Start+Begins+with+Breastfeeding%3C%2Fspan%3E&body=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post%3A+https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/chaw-a-strong-start-begins-with-breastfeeding) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/chaw-a-strong-start-begins-with-breastfeeding) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/chaw-a-strong-start-begins-with-breastfeeding) ![](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/hubfs/Clix%202026.01.13.png) Breastfeeding lays a strong foundation for lifelong health, supporting infants’ brain development, immunity, and healthy growth while reducing the risk of illness and chronic disease. It also strengthens the parent–child bond, promotes maternal health, and offers families a convenient, cost-effective feeding option. With encouragement from communities, workplaces, and child care settings, more families can give their babies the healthiest possible start. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) encourages child care providers to play a key role in supporting breastfeeding families. With minimal time and resources, providers can help parents continue breastfeeding by becoming a Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care site, a voluntary statewide recognition that demonstrates a commitment to high-quality care grounded in current, evidence-based nutrition and physical activity practices, similar to Go NAPSACC. [Click here](https://health.mo.gov/living/wellness/nutrition/breastfeedingfriendlychildcare/) to learn more about Missouri Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care.  If you’d like assistance in creating a breastfeeding-friendly environment in your child care program, Go NAPSACC (Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care) offers practical resources and strategies to help. Registration for the April 2026 Go NAPSACC project is now open. [Click here for more information about the Go NAPSACC project](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/F52LXNS).  If you have questions, please contact Lauri Choate, Director of Training, at [lauri@mochildcareaware.org](mailto:lauri@mochildcareaware.org) or 314-754-1603.   --- Explore our other Child Care Aware® of Missouri resources: [Clock Hour Training](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/free-clock-hour-training) [Scholarships for Educators](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/scholarships-for-educators) [Child Care Health and Wellness](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/child-care-nutrition-and-physical-activity) [Family Child Care Network](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/family-child-care-network) [Leadership Development Opportunities](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/leadership-development-opportunities) [Missouri Office of Childhood Updates](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/missouri-office-of-childhood-updates) [Show Me Child Care Resources](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/show-me-child-care-resources) [Support Child Care Aware® of Missouri](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/support-child-care-aware) [Community Data](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/community-data) [Join Our Team](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/join-our-team) [Resources to Build Your Business ](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/resources-to-build-your-business)     #### About - Menu Item One - Menu Item Two - Menu Item Three #### Services - Menu Item One - Menu Item Two - Menu Item Three #### News - Menu Item One - Menu Item Two - Menu Item Three Follow us on Facebook Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram