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Breastfeeding parents and families

For information about breastfeeding, ask your health care provider or hospital staff where you plan to deliver, or visit:

Se habla español

Para mayor información sobre la lactancia materna, hable con su proveedor de cuidados de salud o con el personal del hospital donde piensa dar a luz. También puede visitar estas páginas de Internet para información en español:

Lactation tools and resources

Find information about hospital birth practices that support breastfeeding and how to find a hospital that will best support your family.

Over 90% of Colorado families choose to start breastfeeding. In order to get the best start, it is important to ensure the place you deliver your baby can provide your family with the best care.
 

Baby-Friendly Hospitals

Baby-Friendly designated hospitals uphold the highest standards in maternal support and infant feeding care. These hospitals are trained and prepared to help you and your new baby get off to the best start. 

Officially designated hospitals follow the global guidelines of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative and are verified by a third-party (Baby-Friendly USA) that holds them accountable. 

  • Baby-Friendly Hospitals - handout for families. 
  • Why deliver in a Baby-Friendly designated facility - what it means for your family. 
  • Find a Baby-Friendly Designated facility - nationwide directory. 
  • Colorado Baby-Friendly Hospital Collaborative - interactive map of Colorado hospitals designated Baby-Friendly and Collaborative member facilities with high standards of care. 

Baby-Friendly hospitals are all about education and support. When you choose an officially designated hospital, there are a number of things you can expect:

  • The hospital has a culture (and policies) supportive of parents and babies. 
  • All staff are educated on and can support parents with breastfeeding. 
  • Health care staff will inform you of the benefits of breastfeeding and support you while you are pregnant, so you can make the decision that is right for you and your family. 
  • Your baby will be placed skin-to-skin with you immediately after birth.
  • You will get the support you need to begin breastfeeding within one hour after birth, or if your family chooses, to safely feed formula. 
  • You will immediately be able to room with your baby, so you can learn about your baby and get to know your baby before leaving the hospital. 
  • Your baby will receive no food other than breast milk, unless medically indicated, during your hospital stay. 
  • Your baby will not get any artificial nipples or pacifiers from the hospital, other than for medical reasons, to ensure the development of optimal breastfeeding. 
  • The hospital will refer you to breastfeeding support groups or resources in your community to support you after you leave the hospital. 
  • You will be protected from the commercial interests of formula companies. 
     

Colorado lactation laws handout
Thinking about breastfeeding
Guide to Breastfeeding
Hospital information and birth plans
Hand Expression
Breastmilk handling and storage
Pumping breast milk
Lactation Friendly Workplaces recognition program
Being an advocate
Lactation-friendly child care providers and child care resources
Human milk storage guidelines
Paced bottle feeding
Paced bottle-feeding videos
Cannabis Use in Pregnancy and Lactation
WIC Colorado Preparing Infant Formula
Colorado resources
Workplace

Tips for talking to your child care professional about feeding your child breast milk, finding a lactation-breastfeeding-friendly child care program, and more.

Resources for women returning to work: state law, tips, finding a pump, print materials, and more.

Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition
Colorado lactation laws
Life with Breastfeeding: Parent toolkit
Lactation-Friendly Workplaces
Starting Your Breastfed Baby in Childcare Toolkit
American Academy of Pediatrics
CDC
Colorado WIC
Child care
Hospitals and health care providers
In the workplace
Parents and families
Toolkits and resources
While traveling
American Association of Family Physicians
  • Tips for Breastfeeding Success. 

The Joint Commission

Community support and local Colorado breastfeeding coalitions

Find a lactation consultant