New online course promotes breastfeeding-friendly childcare centers

KEENE, N.H. - May 19, 2014 - PRLog -- KEENE, NH, May 19, 2014 – Developers of the award winning Early Sprouts gardening and nutrition curriculum for young children, today announced launch of a new online course, “Breastfeeding-Friendly Child Care Centers.”  The interactive 1-1/2 hour self-study program for early child care providers is available free through May 31 through the Early Sprouts web site at http://www.earlysprouts.org/category/whats-new/.


“Despite all we know about the tremendous health and nutrition benefits of breastfeeding, rates in the U.S. fall below national goals,” said Karrie Kalich, Ph.D., program director and a registered dietitian and associate professor in the Department of Health Science at Keene State College. “Breastfeeding-friendly child care centers can uniquely provide the encouragement and support families need to make it a priority.”

Breastfeeding is widely recognized as the best way to nourish infants and provides many benefits (http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/why-breastfeedi...) to the mother and society.

The interactive self-study course provides child care center providers with the tools to establish policies and procedures to fully support breastfeeding mothers and their infants. Developed with support of NH Department of Health and Human Services and Keene State College Faculty Development grant, the course offers 1.5 professional development hours in New Hampshire. Other states should be consulted for approval.