Mitigating Risks in Families with Children Under 3
In this session, we discuss ways to support both breastfeeding and formula feeding families directly. Topics include: supporting safer formula feeding, addressing common breastfeeding concerns, safe handling of expressed human milk, how to mitigate the risks of community milk sharing, and baby carrying. Our presenters are none other than Brandi Harrison and Jayne Carpenter – the IBCLCs who started the infant feeding response in western NC, and without whom the SAFE Team would not exist, let alone be hosting this training series.
Thanks to the Jon Stickley Trio, an Asheville area band, for generously donating the use of their music. “Scripting the Flip” and “Della’s Walk” (c) Jon Stickley Trio. www.JonStickley.com
Recorded Live: Dec. 9, 2025
Topics with time stamps:
- 0:00:00 – Introduction
- 0:04:21 – Review
- 0:11:38 – Needs of Families
- 0:22:20 – Common breastfeeding concerns
- 0:53:27 – Safe handling of expressed human milk
- 0:58:55 – Supporting safer formula feeding
- 1:03:05 – Banked human milk & Community milk sharing
- 1:08:12 – Temperature regulation for babies
- 1:10:34 – Baby Carrying
- 1:17:41 – Thanks to sponsors & Homework
- 1:26:18 – Extended Q&A
Session 4 homework
- Review Handouts
- Start a Resource List
- Research in Your Community – Donated Human Milk
- Field / Community Experience
- Complete the Evaluation
Full instructions, with everything you need for each step, are on the homework page. The handout is the same material as a printable PDF.
Handouts and Links
- Human Milk Storage Guidelines
- Safe preparation, storage and handling of powdered infant formula: guidelines – WHO
- Guidelines for Storing Formula Safely (PDF)
- Milk Sharing Safety Guidelines – Eats on Feets 4 Pillars
- Informal (Peer-to-Peer) Human Milk Sharing Information from Perinatal Services BC (Canada)
- Crisis Feeding Support – Infant Regulation & Baby Carrying
- SAFE Infant Feeding Quick Reference Guide
- Baby Carrying Resources
- Infant Feeding Safety Scale (aka Hierarchy of Feeding)The relative safety of different ways to feed a baby. Use to help educate caregivers. (Spanish and English in same pdf)
- VOAD Directory
Keep going with us. The SAFE Support and Strategic Core meets quarterly as a free mastermind for people putting IYCF-E into practice — shared problem-solving, peer support, and updates from the team. See the dates and register.
Please Support Our Efforts
If you find this training helpful, please support our efforts with a financial donation. Click below and select “SAFE Team” to earmark for IYCF-E education and disaster response support.
Thanks to our sponsors
This work is free because these people and organizations paid for it.
Marcia Brady Tucker Foundation
A private family foundation dedicated to supporting charitable organizations that align with its mission of giving back. Grants are made only as a result of the Foundation’s own initiative.
Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities
Provides technical assistance to breastfeeding coalitions and health departments across the US, using the Ten Steps to a Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community. The SAFE Team is a project of BFFC.
In memory of Elsie Perry
Elsie Perry was a founding mother of La Leche League Boston in the 1960s. A gift made in her memory by her daughters funded an eleventh month of this training series.
BabyBjörn
Founded in 1961 and still family-owned, with a mission to make everyday life easier for parents with babies. If your community needs emergency baby gear, reach them at care@babybjorn.com.
Confident Pregnancy
Helps people be healthier, feel more confident, and find their inner strength. Tips for staying calmer and more resilient under stress at MelindaDelisle.substack.com. DBA Melinda Delisle Innovations.
Birthstone Center for Appalachian Perinatal Resilience
Strengthens perinatal health in Western North Carolina by centering families, uplifting birthworkers, and advancing equitable access to lactation, doula and maternal mental health support.
Sponsor this IYCF-E training
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