Bringing a Baby Café to Your Community
With Baby Café USA’s support, training, and proven service model, communities can establish and operate a Baby Café site efficiently and with confidence. BCUSA provides guidance, resources, and national standards to support implementation from planning through launch and ongoing operation.
Want to learn more about opening a Baby Café?
Join our step-by-step workshop designed to help organizations explore the Baby Café model and understand what it takes to launch a Café. Workshops are led by Executive Director, Dr. Lisa Miller, and offered every other month in 2026.
View upcoming dates and times here
View upcoming dates and times here
Why the Baby Café Model Works
Learn More or Apply
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Baby Café Starter Kit:
Interested in learning more? Complete the inquiry form below to receive an Information Starter Kit or to connect with a Baby Café USA administrator. |
Ready to Apply?
Before starting your application, please download and review the Application Support Documents listed below. When you are ready, select the Baby Café Application button to begin the online application. Click here to load this Caspio Cloud Database |
FAQs for Professionals
What do I need to do to start a Baby Café?
- Complete the interest form on this page to receive a Baby Café Starter Kit by email
- Attend our free virtual workshop, Building a Baby Café: From Idea to Impact
- Identify a sponsoring organization, such as a hospital, public health agency, nonprofit, physician group, or other community partner
- Develop a plan for staffing, space, and basic operational support. Many Baby Cafés use a combination of funding, donated space, and in-kind support
- Find a welcoming, publicly accessible location. Many Baby Cafés meet in community spaces such as libraries, churches, hospitals, YMCAs, or community centers
- Identify staff to facilitate sessions and support ongoing operations
- Review the Baby Café Licensing Agreement and Application Support Documentation to ensure your community is able to meet the model requirements
What does it cost to open and operate a Baby Café?
- The Baby Café application is free
- Initial licensing is $1,000 and includes staff training
- Annual license renewal is $300
- Reduced pricing is available for Cluster Model sites
- Most Baby Cafés operate on annual budgets ranging from approximately $8,000 to $20,000, depending on staffing structure, pay rates, and Café tier. Some operate on significantly lower budgets through donated space, in-kind staffing support, and community partnerships
- Additional costs may include marketing materials, refreshments, space improvements, baby scales, or other site-specific needs
- We generally recommend budgeting at least $1,500 for initial start-up expenses, supplies, and equipment
WHAT IS THE APPLICATION and LICENSING PROCESS?
- Complete the Baby Café Application Form
- Applications are reviewed by Baby Café USA to ensure alignment with the Baby Café model and Quality Standards
- Once approved, you will receive an invoice and Licensing Agreement to complete
- After licensing is finalized, you will receive your Baby Café License Certificate and Baby Café Toolkit
- Schedule and attend the required Baby Café training, provided virtually by Baby Café USA
- Prepare your space, staff, and outreach plan, then begin offering Baby Café sessions
- Many sites begin with a soft opening before hosting a community Grand Opening event
MAY I SELL ITEMS AT THE CAFÉ?
No. Baby Cafés do not market or sell anything. If you use supplies like Nipple Shields, they must be free to the participant.
I HAVE A PRIVATE PRACTICE- MAY I book/perform those CONSULTS AT OR AFTER A CAFÉ?
No. Baby Café is designed as a free, drop-in group support model and is not intended to function as a setting for booking or providing one-to-one private consultations.
One of the Baby Café Quality Standards is maintaining strong referral connections within the community. Facilitators are encouraged to provide participants with information about local breastfeeding resources, including community IBCLCs, hospital outpatient lactation services, and other support options. These referral lists may include your private practice alongside other local providers. Facilitators may also encourage their existing private clients to attend Baby Café for additional free peer support and follow-up care between visits.
One of the Baby Café Quality Standards is maintaining strong referral connections within the community. Facilitators are encouraged to provide participants with information about local breastfeeding resources, including community IBCLCs, hospital outpatient lactation services, and other support options. These referral lists may include your private practice alongside other local providers. Facilitators may also encourage their existing private clients to attend Baby Café for additional free peer support and follow-up care between visits.
WHERE MAY I LOCATE A BABY CAFE?
In welcoming community-based donated spaces such as Hospital, Churches, Libraries, Milk Banks, YMCAs, Parent/child meeting areas, WIC Offices, Pediatrician/OB offices, and Chiropractor offices. We encourage creativity.
ARE THERE SPACES WHERE I CANNOT LOCATE BABY CAFE?
Yes. Baby Cafés should not be located in spaces where participants may feel pressured to purchase products or services, or where the environment promotes a particular political, religious, or other potentially divisive agenda.
Baby Café locations should provide a welcoming, inclusive, community-centered environment that aligns with the Baby Café model and Quality Standards.
If you have questions about whether a proposed location is an appropriate fit for a Baby Café, please contact Baby Café USA before submitting your application.
Baby Café locations should provide a welcoming, inclusive, community-centered environment that aligns with the Baby Café model and Quality Standards.
If you have questions about whether a proposed location is an appropriate fit for a Baby Café, please contact Baby Café USA before submitting your application.
DO BABY CAFES PROMOTE OR DICTATE CERTAIN BELIEFS?
No. Baby Cafés do not promote specific religious, political, or parenting beliefs. Baby Café sessions are designed as welcoming, inclusive, open-forum discussions guided by evidence-based practice and respectful peer support.
The purpose of Baby Café is to provide families with skilled lactation support, evidence-based information, and community connection to help them meet their own breastfeeding and/or chestfeeding goals.
The purpose of Baby Café is to provide families with skilled lactation support, evidence-based information, and community connection to help them meet their own breastfeeding and/or chestfeeding goals.
IS BABY CAFÉ USA ASSOCIATED WITH ANY OTHER ORGANIZATION?
No. Baby Café USA is an independent nonprofit organization and is not owned, operated, or directed by any corporation, political party, or outside organization. Baby Café USA follows the World Health Organization International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (WHO Code) and maintains policies designed to support evidence-based, community-centered lactation support.
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