Resources to help Employers
Supporting Nursing Moms at Work
The Office of Women's Health has detailed resources for many different kinds of employers to develop support programs and strategies.
National Breastfeeding Center
We help employers, hospitals, medical practices and breastfeeding organizat ions navigate the business of lactation support.
Breastfeeding laws in: Connecticut | States
The Business Case For Breastfeeding: For Business Managers
The Business Case For Breastfeeding: Easy Steps For Supporting Breastfeeding Employees
For Human Resource Managers and staff interested in implementing a lactation support program.
Investing in Workplace Breastfeeding Programs & Policies
This toolkit is adapted from the 2008 Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and Every Mother Inc. publication entitled The Business Case for Breastfeeding.
The CDC Guide to Strategies to Support Breastfeeding Mothers & Babies
This guide provides state and local community members information to choose the breastfeeding intervention strategy that best meets their needs.
Breastfeeding In Child Care: For Family Child Care Homes | For Child Care Center Professionals
A toolkit for child care providers with tips and resources to support Connecticut communities.
The Office of Women's Health has detailed resources for many different kinds of employers to develop support programs and strategies.
National Breastfeeding Center
We help employers, hospitals, medical practices and breastfeeding organizat ions navigate the business of lactation support.
Breastfeeding laws in: Connecticut | States
The Business Case For Breastfeeding: For Business Managers
The Business Case For Breastfeeding: Easy Steps For Supporting Breastfeeding Employees
For Human Resource Managers and staff interested in implementing a lactation support program.
Investing in Workplace Breastfeeding Programs & Policies
This toolkit is adapted from the 2008 Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and Every Mother Inc. publication entitled The Business Case for Breastfeeding.
The CDC Guide to Strategies to Support Breastfeeding Mothers & Babies
This guide provides state and local community members information to choose the breastfeeding intervention strategy that best meets their needs.
Breastfeeding In Child Care: For Family Child Care Homes | For Child Care Center Professionals
A toolkit for child care providers with tips and resources to support Connecticut communities.
Resources to help Employees
Breastfeeding Rights In Connecticut: English | Spanish
Make It Work!
Plan for your breastfeeding success and talk about your pumping needs.
Ready, Set, Baby!
A Guide to Welcoming Your New Family Member.
Breastfeeding Health Benefits & Coverage
A guide to navigating health coverage and breastfeeding help
Sample Letter To Employer
A pre-written letter you can provide to your employer before returning to work.
What Breastfeeding Employees need to know
Read frequently asked questions about breastfeeding at work, including how to talk to your supervisor about your needs and where to find resources and support.
Tips For Starting Your Breastfed Baby In Child Care
The following pages provide some tips to help prepare you for starting your baby in child care.
New Parents & Babies: Connecticut Campaign For Paid Family Leave
CWEALF (Connecticut Women's Education & Legal Fund) has put together a thorough guide to CT laws and legal resources for pregnancy rights, family medical leave, and returning to work. If you feel you have been discriminated against they can refer you to attorneys (some offer low-rates for those with lower incomes).
Make It Work!
Plan for your breastfeeding success and talk about your pumping needs.
Ready, Set, Baby!
A Guide to Welcoming Your New Family Member.
Breastfeeding Health Benefits & Coverage
A guide to navigating health coverage and breastfeeding help
Sample Letter To Employer
A pre-written letter you can provide to your employer before returning to work.
What Breastfeeding Employees need to know
Read frequently asked questions about breastfeeding at work, including how to talk to your supervisor about your needs and where to find resources and support.
Tips For Starting Your Breastfed Baby In Child Care
The following pages provide some tips to help prepare you for starting your baby in child care.
New Parents & Babies: Connecticut Campaign For Paid Family Leave
CWEALF (Connecticut Women's Education & Legal Fund) has put together a thorough guide to CT laws and legal resources for pregnancy rights, family medical leave, and returning to work. If you feel you have been discriminated against they can refer you to attorneys (some offer low-rates for those with lower incomes).
La Leche League: Connecticut, USA, & International
Information on breastfeeding/chestfeeding at a local, national, and international level.
Ready, Set, Baby!
A Guide to Welcoming Your New Family Member
American Academy of Pediatrics
Information on pregnancy, breastfeeding, and various baby and parenting topics.
The Bump
Information on pregnancy, breastfeeding, and various baby and parenting topics.
Baby-Friendly USA
Responsible for upholding the highest standards of infant feeding care.
UNICEF: Facts For Life Fourth Ed.
This handbook provides practical advice on pregnancy, childbirth, childhood illnesses, child development and the care of children.
It'sWorthIt!
This resource highlights important steps to consider to help your reach your breastfeeding goals.
Breastfeeding After Treatment for Early-Stage Breast Cancer
Women who become pregnant after completing breast cancer treatment often assume they won’t be able to breastfeed. Though that’s true for some women, others will be able to breastfeed.
Mother To Baby: Fact Sheets
The experts behind MotherToBaby have created fact sheets that answer frequently asked questions about exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Mother To Baby: Marijuana Fact Sheet
This sheet talks about exposure to marijuana in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your health care provider.
Finding A Breastfeeding Friendly Doctor
Sample questions to ask when you're interviewing pediatricians.
Safe To Sleep: About SIDS & Safe Infant Sleep
This resource focuses on actions you and others can take to help your baby sleep safely and to reduce your baby's risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related causes of infant death.
Information on breastfeeding/chestfeeding at a local, national, and international level.
Ready, Set, Baby!
A Guide to Welcoming Your New Family Member
American Academy of Pediatrics
Information on pregnancy, breastfeeding, and various baby and parenting topics.
The Bump
Information on pregnancy, breastfeeding, and various baby and parenting topics.
Baby-Friendly USA
Responsible for upholding the highest standards of infant feeding care.
UNICEF: Facts For Life Fourth Ed.
This handbook provides practical advice on pregnancy, childbirth, childhood illnesses, child development and the care of children.
It'sWorthIt!
This resource highlights important steps to consider to help your reach your breastfeeding goals.
Breastfeeding After Treatment for Early-Stage Breast Cancer
Women who become pregnant after completing breast cancer treatment often assume they won’t be able to breastfeed. Though that’s true for some women, others will be able to breastfeed.
Mother To Baby: Fact Sheets
The experts behind MotherToBaby have created fact sheets that answer frequently asked questions about exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Mother To Baby: Marijuana Fact Sheet
This sheet talks about exposure to marijuana in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your health care provider.
Finding A Breastfeeding Friendly Doctor
Sample questions to ask when you're interviewing pediatricians.
Safe To Sleep: About SIDS & Safe Infant Sleep
This resource focuses on actions you and others can take to help your baby sleep safely and to reduce your baby's risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related causes of infant death.
Videos
Partner & Family Support
How Dads Can Support Their Breastfeeding Partner
Breastfeeding is a family affair, and dad is an important part of the team.
How Grandparents Can Support Breastfeeding
These tips help grandparents support their breastfeeding grandchild.
24 Hour Cribside Assistance for New Dads
This is a guy’s site – developed by fathers for fathers. We’ve been in your shoes. We all remember what it was like to be a new dad – overwhelming, confusing, intimidating, tiring, but also amazing and just really cool. We want to help you get to the cool part by answering your basic questions about babies, new moms and new dads
My Child Matters: Cues and Clues Child Development Tip Sheets
Knowing their abilities and interests is an important part of raising your child. This helps you give good guidance and offer them experiences that meet their needs.
Nobody's Perfect Parenting Tip Sheets
This series of tips sheets offers current and accessible information to parents and caregivers of children aged 0 - 5 years on a variety of topics.
Breastfeeding is a family affair, and dad is an important part of the team.
How Grandparents Can Support Breastfeeding
These tips help grandparents support their breastfeeding grandchild.
24 Hour Cribside Assistance for New Dads
This is a guy’s site – developed by fathers for fathers. We’ve been in your shoes. We all remember what it was like to be a new dad – overwhelming, confusing, intimidating, tiring, but also amazing and just really cool. We want to help you get to the cool part by answering your basic questions about babies, new moms and new dads
My Child Matters: Cues and Clues Child Development Tip Sheets
Knowing their abilities and interests is an important part of raising your child. This helps you give good guidance and offer them experiences that meet their needs.
Nobody's Perfect Parenting Tip Sheets
This series of tips sheets offers current and accessible information to parents and caregivers of children aged 0 - 5 years on a variety of topics.
ZipMilk
Enter your zip code to find local breastfeeding support.
Find A Lactation Consultant
A board-certified lactation consultant is an invaluable asset to breastfeeding families, reassuring you when breastfeeding and lactation are going well, and by providing information and support to help prevent and manage common concerns.
Find a Lactation Counselor
CLCs are members of the healthcare team who can provide knowledge and counseling about breastfeeding.
United Way 211
Find resources in Connecticut.
Woman, Infants, & Children (WIC)
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, better known as the WIC Program, provides supplemental foods, health care referrals, nutrition education, and breastfeeding promotion and support to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.
La Leche League: Connecticut, USA, & International
Information on breastfeeding/chestfeeding at a local, national, and international level.
Enter your zip code to find local breastfeeding support.
Find A Lactation Consultant
A board-certified lactation consultant is an invaluable asset to breastfeeding families, reassuring you when breastfeeding and lactation are going well, and by providing information and support to help prevent and manage common concerns.
Find a Lactation Counselor
CLCs are members of the healthcare team who can provide knowledge and counseling about breastfeeding.
United Way 211
Find resources in Connecticut.
Woman, Infants, & Children (WIC)
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, better known as the WIC Program, provides supplemental foods, health care referrals, nutrition education, and breastfeeding promotion and support to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.
La Leche League: Connecticut, USA, & International
Information on breastfeeding/chestfeeding at a local, national, and international level.
Academy Of Breastfeeding Medicine | Blog
A Worldwide Organization Of Medical Doctors Dedicated To The Promotion, Protection, And Support Of Breastfeeding
International Board Of Lactation Consultant Examiners
IBLCE establishes the highest standards in lactation and breastfeeding care worldwide and certifies individuals who meet these standards.
International Lactation Consultant Association
The International Lactation Consultant Association® (ILCA®) is the member association for International Board Certified Lactation Consultants® (IBCLC®) and other healthcare professionals who care for breastfeeding families.
Center for Disease Control & Prevention: Breastfeeding
CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO) is committed to increasing breastfeeding rates throughout the United States and to promoting and supporting optimal breastfeeding practices toward the ultimate goal of improving the public’s health.
Mother To Baby: Fact Sheets
The experts behind MotherToBaby have created fact sheets that answer frequently asked questions about exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed)
The LactMed® database contains information on drugs and other chemicals to which breastfeeding mothers may be exposed.
Breastfeeding Health Benefits & Coverage
A guide to navigating health coverage and breastfeeding help
Tools and Techniques to Best Provide ACA-Covered Preventive Services Provider Fact Sheet
Primary Care Interventions to Promote Breastfeeding
American Academy of Pediatrics
Information on pregnancy, breastfeeding, and various baby and parenting topics.
Finding A Breastfeeding Friendly Doctor
Sample questions to ask when you're interviewing pediatricians.
Baby-Friendly USA
Responsible for upholding the highest standards of infant feeding care.
Safe To Sleep: About SIDS & Safe Infant Sleep
This resource focuses on actions you and others can take to help your baby sleep safely and to reduce your baby's risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related causes of infant death.
A Worldwide Organization Of Medical Doctors Dedicated To The Promotion, Protection, And Support Of Breastfeeding
International Board Of Lactation Consultant Examiners
IBLCE establishes the highest standards in lactation and breastfeeding care worldwide and certifies individuals who meet these standards.
International Lactation Consultant Association
The International Lactation Consultant Association® (ILCA®) is the member association for International Board Certified Lactation Consultants® (IBCLC®) and other healthcare professionals who care for breastfeeding families.
Center for Disease Control & Prevention: Breastfeeding
CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO) is committed to increasing breastfeeding rates throughout the United States and to promoting and supporting optimal breastfeeding practices toward the ultimate goal of improving the public’s health.
Mother To Baby: Fact Sheets
The experts behind MotherToBaby have created fact sheets that answer frequently asked questions about exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed)
The LactMed® database contains information on drugs and other chemicals to which breastfeeding mothers may be exposed.
Breastfeeding Health Benefits & Coverage
A guide to navigating health coverage and breastfeeding help
Tools and Techniques to Best Provide ACA-Covered Preventive Services Provider Fact Sheet
Primary Care Interventions to Promote Breastfeeding
American Academy of Pediatrics
Information on pregnancy, breastfeeding, and various baby and parenting topics.
Finding A Breastfeeding Friendly Doctor
Sample questions to ask when you're interviewing pediatricians.
Baby-Friendly USA
Responsible for upholding the highest standards of infant feeding care.
Safe To Sleep: About SIDS & Safe Infant Sleep
This resource focuses on actions you and others can take to help your baby sleep safely and to reduce your baby's risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related causes of infant death.
Videos
Your Guide To Breastfeeding
This easy-to-read publication has how-to information and support to help women breastfeed.
Your Guide to Breastfeeding for African-American Women
This easy-to-read publication has how-to information and support to help women breastfeed.
Una Guía Fácil Para La Lactancia
Esta guía es para todas las mujeres y sus familias. Esperamos que sirva de apoyo a aquellas mujeres que deciden amamantar a sus bebés.
It's Only Natural
Here, you’ll find facts about breastfeeding and get practical tips on how to make breastfeeding work for you while getting the support you need.
This easy-to-read publication has how-to information and support to help women breastfeed.
Your Guide to Breastfeeding for African-American Women
This easy-to-read publication has how-to information and support to help women breastfeed.
Una Guía Fácil Para La Lactancia
Esta guía es para todas las mujeres y sus familias. Esperamos que sirva de apoyo a aquellas mujeres que deciden amamantar a sus bebés.
It's Only Natural
Here, you’ll find facts about breastfeeding and get practical tips on how to make breastfeeding work for you while getting the support you need.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/mcn.13088
Experiences of breastfeeding during COVID‐19: Lessons for future practical and emotional support
Amy Brown
Natalie Shenker
First published: 23 September 2020
https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13088
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown and social distancing led to changes to breastfeeding support available to women in the United Kingdom. Face-to-face professional support was reduced, and face-to-face peer support was cancelled. Anecdotal media accounts highlighted practices separating some mothers and babies in hospitals, alongside inaccurate stories of the safety of breastfeeding circulating. Meanwhile, new families were confined to their homes, separated from families and support networks. Given that we know breastfeeding is best supported by practices that keep mother and baby together, high-quality professional and peer-to-peer support, and positive maternal well-being, it is important to understand the impact of the pandemic upon the ability to breastfeed. To explore this, we conducted an online survey with 1219 breastfeeding mothers in the United Kingdom with a baby 0-12 months old to understand the impact of the pandemic upon breastfeeding duration, experiences and support. The results highlighted two very different experiences: 41.8% of mothers felt that breastfeeding was protected due to lockdown, but 27.0% of mothers struggled to get support and had numerous barriers stemming from lockdown with some stopped breastfeeding before they were ready. Mothers with a lower education, with more challenging living circumstances and from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds were more likely to find the impact of lockdown challenging and stop breastfeeding. The findings are vital in understanding how we now support those women who may be grieving their loss of breastfeeding and are affected by their negative experiences and how we can learn from those with a positive experience to make sure all breastfeeding women are better supported if similar future events arise.
Experiences of breastfeeding during COVID‐19: Lessons for future practical and emotional support
Amy Brown
Natalie Shenker
First published: 23 September 2020
https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13088
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown and social distancing led to changes to breastfeeding support available to women in the United Kingdom. Face-to-face professional support was reduced, and face-to-face peer support was cancelled. Anecdotal media accounts highlighted practices separating some mothers and babies in hospitals, alongside inaccurate stories of the safety of breastfeeding circulating. Meanwhile, new families were confined to their homes, separated from families and support networks. Given that we know breastfeeding is best supported by practices that keep mother and baby together, high-quality professional and peer-to-peer support, and positive maternal well-being, it is important to understand the impact of the pandemic upon the ability to breastfeed. To explore this, we conducted an online survey with 1219 breastfeeding mothers in the United Kingdom with a baby 0-12 months old to understand the impact of the pandemic upon breastfeeding duration, experiences and support. The results highlighted two very different experiences: 41.8% of mothers felt that breastfeeding was protected due to lockdown, but 27.0% of mothers struggled to get support and had numerous barriers stemming from lockdown with some stopped breastfeeding before they were ready. Mothers with a lower education, with more challenging living circumstances and from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds were more likely to find the impact of lockdown challenging and stop breastfeeding. The findings are vital in understanding how we now support those women who may be grieving their loss of breastfeeding and are affected by their negative experiences and how we can learn from those with a positive experience to make sure all breastfeeding women are better supported if similar future events arise.
Get Involved
The Connecticut Breastfeeding Coalition
The CBC is dedicated to improving Connecticut’s health by working collaboratively to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding.
The United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC)
The United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) is an independent nonprofit coalition of more than 100 influential professional, educational, and governmental organizations that share a common mission to drive collaborative efforts for policy and practices that create a landscape of breastfeeding support across the United States. Join our work to make a difference for our nation's families!
World Alliance For Breastfeeding Action (WABA)
A global network of individuals and organization dedicated to the protection, promotion, and support of breastfeeding worldwide.
Local Connecticut Legislators
To contact your Connecticut legislators, go to the Connecticut General Assembly website.
Moms Rising
We take on the most critical issues facing women, mothers, and families by educating the public and mobilizing massive grassroots actions
The Connecticut Campaign For Paid Family Leave
The Campaign represents a variety of interests, including: women’s health, eldercare, workers with serious or chronic illnesses, low-wage workers and their families, labor unions, and small businesses.
The CBC is dedicated to improving Connecticut’s health by working collaboratively to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding.
The United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC)
The United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) is an independent nonprofit coalition of more than 100 influential professional, educational, and governmental organizations that share a common mission to drive collaborative efforts for policy and practices that create a landscape of breastfeeding support across the United States. Join our work to make a difference for our nation's families!
World Alliance For Breastfeeding Action (WABA)
A global network of individuals and organization dedicated to the protection, promotion, and support of breastfeeding worldwide.
Local Connecticut Legislators
To contact your Connecticut legislators, go to the Connecticut General Assembly website.
Moms Rising
We take on the most critical issues facing women, mothers, and families by educating the public and mobilizing massive grassroots actions
The Connecticut Campaign For Paid Family Leave
The Campaign represents a variety of interests, including: women’s health, eldercare, workers with serious or chronic illnesses, low-wage workers and their families, labor unions, and small businesses.
Resources For Educators
Ready, Set, Baby!
Ready, Set, Baby is an educational program designed to counsel prenatal women about maternity care best practices and the benefits and management of breastfeeding, incorporating other important information to help women achieve their goals.
My Dad Matters
A toolkit for community service providers to assess and develop strategies for engaging men who care for children.
My Dad Matters: Engaging Fathers
Webinars focused on working with fathers.
Ready, Set, Baby is an educational program designed to counsel prenatal women about maternity care best practices and the benefits and management of breastfeeding, incorporating other important information to help women achieve their goals.
My Dad Matters
A toolkit for community service providers to assess and develop strategies for engaging men who care for children.
My Dad Matters: Engaging Fathers
Webinars focused on working with fathers.
