“Breast Is Best, But…” According to Childcare Administrators, Not Best for the Childcare Environment

Schafer, Ellen J.; Livingston, Taylor A.; Roig-Romero, Regina Maria; Wachira, Maret; Louis‐Jacques, Adetola; Marhefka, Stephanie L.

doi:10.1089/bfm.2020.0078

Cited by 9 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…This study suggests that in facilities that are reluctant to accept breastfeeding, equipment issues, time and effort, and inadequate manuals are barriers to accepting breastfeeding and have been pointed out in previous Japanese studies 5–8 . This is reinforced by the fact that previous studies overseas have also reported that the lack of literacy regarding breastfeeding and the perceived risk of handling breast milk among childcare facility administrators were barriers 11–14 . The results of this study also pointed out difficulties in managing frozen expressed breast milk in childcare facilities.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 51%

Perception and handling of breastmilk by childcare staff: A qualitative study of childcare facilities in Japan

Yabe

Yasugi²,

Musha³

et al. 2021

J of Gen and Family Med

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Background Breastfeeding in infancy has immunological and nutritional benefits. The actual status of breastfeeding in childcare facilities is unclear. However, it is expected to vary in every facility and region. This study aimed to explore what the staff of childcare facilities perceive of breastfeeding and how they feel about handling breast milk. Methods The study was conducted from May 2012 to September 2015. A list of childcare facilities in three cities in Japan was compiled. A questionnaire was sent to the facilities by mail asking whether or not they provided breastfeeding care and whether or not they would participate in the study. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with the staff members of childcare facilities that consented to the study. The transcribed text was analyzed by thematic analysis. Results Of the 211 facilities sent, 55 responded, and 21 of these facilities were implementing breastfeeding. Interviews were conducted at four facilities for those who agreed to be interviewed. The researchers extracted three categories of breastfeeding factors at childcare facilities: the value that caregivers see in breastfeeding, difficulties associated with breastfeeding in childcare facilities, and devices and elements for breastfeeding by childcare facilities. Although facility staff acknowledged the nutritional and psychosocial benefits of breast milk, they also felt the administrative difficulties and mental burden of handling expressed breast milk. Conclusion This study revealed that for the childcare facility staff, breastfeeding was positioned as a means of communication and reassurance to the mother, and the immunological and nutritional benefits of breast milk.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 51%

Perception and handling of breastmilk by childcare staff: A qualitative study of childcare facilities in Japan

Yabe

Yasugi²,

Musha³

et al. 2021

J of Gen and Family Med

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“…Lack of research also makes it impossible to identify (a) the mediators of key indicator attainment, including positive attitudes about breastfeeding among staff and family members of enrolled children; (b) family perceptions of support for breastfeeding in BFCD centers and other short-term benefits or unintended costs for the families; and (c) outcomes for the centers (e.g., parent satisfaction, increased or competitive enrollment rates, staff satisfaction). Data about these outcomes are important because our previous work (Schafer et al, 2021) indicated that while many centers purport to have supportive breastfeeding environments, their practices and attitudes revealed childcare centers may not be truly supportive. If some BFCD programs are not truly "breastfeeding friendly," then what is the credibility or value of BFCD programs?…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Childcare provider policies, practices, and beliefs may compound the influence of returning to work on breastfeeding continuation (Kohel et al, 2021; Lundquist et al, 2019; Schafer et al, 2021). Recently, authors of an integrative review of childcare centers found a dearth of information to suggest that childcare centers have implemented evidence-based breastfeeding policies and practices (Dieterich et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The State of our Breastfeeding Friendly Childcare Programs: Ten Years After the 2011 Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding

et al. 2022

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Background: Ten years ago, the U.S. Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding made recommendations for childcare settings, including: (1) accommodating and supporting breastfeeding families; and (2) adopting national guidelines on breastfeeding support in childcare settings. Research Aims: To (1) describe the existing breastfeeding friendly childcare designation programs in the United States; and (2) describe how states are accommodating breastfeeding families in childcare settings. Method: The study design was cross-sectional, prospective thematic description of existing publicly available documents. A search of state breastfeeding coalitions was conducted to assess the number of states with breastfeeding friendly childcare designation programs. A definitive yes-or-no answer regarding whether each state had a program was obtained from all 50 states. For states with programs, designation materials were analyzed using thematic analysis and the framework method to compare designation components. Results: Fifteen states had evidence of breastfeeding friendly childcare designation programs and similarities exist across designation program components. Four standards were common to all 15 programs: written policy on breastfeeding, suitable space within the center where mothers can breastfeed or express their milk, educational materials, and resources on breastfeeding available to parents. Most states required self-assessment to achieve designation status. Conclusion: Research is needed to enable evidence-based programs and decision-making regarding components and processes. Federal funding should support these programs’ mission, including funding research to assess how and in what circumstances these programs are improving breastfeeding-related outcomes and supporting breastfeeding families.

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“…Addressing breastfeeding in early care settings is vital as child care providers can serve as an important source of support and information for parents who choose to breastfeed [ 29 ]. There is evidence that some parents do not feel supported [ 30 , 31 ] and that providers may not be comfortable offering advice [ 32 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Informing State-Wide Coalition Efforts to Implement and Integrate Nutrition Best Practices in Early Care and Education: Focus Group Insights from Child Care Providers

Koester

Sloane

Chusid

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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A healthy diet in early childhood is an important contributor to ensuring lifelong health and in reducing risk for obesity. The child care environment is critical to supporting nutrition as a majority of young children less than 5 years of age are enrolled in out-of-home care. In order to better understand barriers to implementing and integrating nutrition best practices, we conduced focus groups with child care providers (n = 25) in Illinois. Providers from low-income communities, rural communities, and communities of color were prioritized. Focus group participants reported several challenges including the high cost of nutritious food, picky eating, and their perception that parents did not set good examples at home. Many providers identified the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) as a critical resource in helping them implement best practices. Providers discussed needing and wanting more training, more money for food, and more parental support. These results indicate support for additional resources and sustained training and technical assistance to address perceived challenges. The evidence of the importance of CACFP in helping providers engage in nutrition best practices indicates support for expansion and strengthening of the program.

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“Breast Is Best, But…” According to Childcare Administrators, Not Best for the Childcare Environment

Cited by 9 publications

References 14 publications

Perception and handling of breastmilk by childcare staff: A qualitative study of childcare facilities in Japan

Perception and handling of breastmilk by childcare staff: A qualitative study of childcare facilities in Japan

The State of our Breastfeeding Friendly Childcare Programs: Ten Years After the 2011 Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding

Informing State-Wide Coalition Efforts to Implement and Integrate Nutrition Best Practices in Early Care and Education: Focus Group Insights from Child Care Providers

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