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 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.
If you have questions, please contact Lauri Choate, Director of Training, at lauri@mochildcareaware.org or 314-754-1603.
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