Infant Feeding Plan

POLICY: Each infant will have an individual service plan on file. 

Infants less than 1 year of age will be fed either human milk or a commercial, iron-fortified, infant formula as their primary source of nutrition while in childcare. 

PURPOSE: To ensure safe and nutritious feeding of all infants for optimal growth and development.

Improper or inadequate feeding during this vulnerable age can harm an infant’s health and brain development. 

PROCEDURE:

1. As part of the individual service plan, there shall be a feeding plan for each infant completed prior to the infant's first day at the center.  The plan shall be developed together by the Director/designee and the parents/legal guardians. 
2. The plan shall include the following items:
   1. If applicable, instructions from the infant's health care provider relating to allergies, special diet, or feeding. 
   2. Feeding schedule.  
   3. Specify human milk, or specific brand of formula, or both.  
   4. Plan of action for if an exclusively breastfed infant runs out of breastmilk at the center. 
   5. Schedule for introduction of solid foods, new foods, and food consistency. 
   6. Food likes and dislikes.
   7. Food allergies, intolerances, sensitivities, or family cultural, religious, or personal preference for avoidance of certain foods. Allergies versus preferences should be differentiated and food allergies must have an emergency care plan and have emergency medication on-site (e.g., epi-pen).
   8. Schedule for introduction of cups and utensils.
   9. The plan will be updated when the parent/legal guardian wishes to change from one formula brand to another, or from human milk to formula. 
   10. The plan may be updated by the parent/legal guardian at any time.
3. Experts recommend beginning solid foods at 6 months old, once signs of developmental readiness are seen in the infant: 
   1. Sits up with good head and neck control.
   2. Shows an interest in food. Reaches for food.
   3. Opens mouth for a spoon.
   4. Does not thrust their tongue out while eating solid foods. 
4. Infants will be bottle-fed human milk or formula at least every 4 hours or more frequently anytime they are showing hunger cues. 
5. Healthy infants should begin weaning from a bottle around 1 year old and move to drinking from a cup. The plan for transition should be discussed with the parents/legal guardians. 
6. The child care center shall provide only commercially prepared formulas or accept commercially prepared formulas from parents/legal guardians. Homemade formulas shall not be made by the center and shall not be accepted from parents/legal guardian.