Feeding Infants in the Child and Adult Care Food Program
Programs:
24/7 Centers, Child Development Center, Family Child Care
Resource Type:
Operating Procedure
Published:
09/21
This guide will help child care providers understand the CACFP meal pattern requirements. It also includes best practices for feeding babies in a way that supports their growth and development.
Table of Contents
-
Feeding Infants in the Child and Adult Care Food Program
- About Team Nutrition
- Introduction
- The Importance of Partnering With Parents
- Table of Contents
- Words To Know
-
Chapter 1: Giving Babies a Healthy Start With the CACFP
- What?s In This Chapter?
- What Are Solid Foods?
- A Baby?s Eating Habits
- Talking With Parents About Their Baby?s Eating Habits
- How Can I Tell When a Baby Is Hungry or Full?
- Developmental Readiness
- A Baby?s Feeding Skills
- For Parents: Is Your Baby Ready for Solid Foods?
- Infant Age Groups in the CACFP
- Food Components in the Infant Meal Pattern
- In This Chapter
- Key Concepts
- Check Your Knowledge
-
Chapter 2: Feeding the Breastfed Baby
- What?s In This Chapter?
- Table 4: Benefits of Breastfeeding for Babies, Mothers, and Families
- Supporting Families of Breastfed Babies
- For Parents: Breastfeeding? Tell Us About Your Breastfed Baby!
- Creating a Breastfeeding-Friendly Environment
- In This Chapter
- Key Concepts
- Check Your Knowledge
-
Chapter 3: Feeding the Formula-Fed Baby
- What?s In This Chapter?
- Infant Formula in the CACFP Infant Meal Pattern
- For Parents: Feeding Your Baby Infant Formula? Tell Us More!
- Iron-Fortified Infant Formula
- Soy-Based, Low Lactose, and Lactose-Free Formulas
- Infant Formula for Babies With Special Dietary Needs
- FDA Exempt Infant Formulas and Low-Iron Infant Formulas
- Other Milks
- In This Chapter
- Key Concepts
- Check Your Knowledge
-
Chapter 4: Handling and Storing Breastmilk and Infant Formula
- What?s In This Chapter?
- How Does Breastmilk Look?
- How Does Breastmilk Smell?
- Handling Breastmilk and Infant Formula Before Arriving at the Child Care Site
- Storing Fresh Breastmilk and Infant Formula at Your Child Care Site
- Thawing Frozen Breastmilk at the Child Care Site
- Table 5: Maximum Storage Time and Temperature for Breastmilk at a Child Care Site
- Preparing a Bottle For a Feeding
- Purchasing Infant Formula
- Preparing, Storing, and Handling Infant Formula
- Table 6: Storing and Handling Infant Formula
- In This Chapter
- Key Concepts
- Check Your Knowledge
-
Chapter 5: Feeding a Baby Using a Bottle and Cup
- Before Feeding a Baby a Bottle:
- How To Feed With a Bottle
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Sleeping or Resting Position Before or After Feeding
-
When feeding a baby a bottle, remember to:
- Hold the bottle mostly sideways, not straight up.
- Switch which arm you use to hold the baby.
- Hold the baby during feeding.
- Use a slow flow bottle nipple.
- Hold the baby in the cradle of your arm, so that he or she is almost upright.
- Burp during natural breaks in the feeding or at the end of the feeding.
- Brush the nipple of the bottle across the baby?s upper lip.
-
When feeding a baby a bottle, remember to:
- How To Prevent Babies or Children From Drinking Another Child?s Bottle (or Cup)
- Drinking From a Cup
- Transitioning From a Bottle Too Late
- Reflux
- Table 7: What Should Babies Drink?
- Key Concepts
- In This Chapter
- Check Your Knowledge
-
Chapter 6: Feeding Solid Foods
- What?s In This Chapter?
- Solid Foods for Babies 6 Through 11 Months
- When To Start Feeding a Baby Solid Foods
- For Parents: What Is Your Baby Eating? Let Us Know!
- A Baby?s Feeding Skills
- Introducing New Foods
- How To Feed Solid Foods to a Baby
- Table 8: Introducing Different Textures of Food Based on Feeding Skills
- Preparing Foods in Different Textures
- What Is a Reimbursable Infant Meal or Snack for Babies 6 Through 11 Months?
- What Types of Grains Can Be Offered Under the Infant Meal Pattern?
- What Types of Meats and Meat Alternates Can Be Offered Under the Infant Meal Pattern?
- Table 10: Sugar Limits for Yogurt
- What Types of Vegetables and Fruits Can Be Offered Under the Infant Meal Pattern?
- What Other Types of Foods Are or Are Not Creditable in the Infant Meal Pattern?
- Food Components Provided by the Parents
- Table 11: When a Baby Is Eating Solid Foods
- Special Dietary Needs Due to Disabilities
- Special Dietary Needs Due to Religious Reasons
- Feeding Solid Foods to Vegetarian or Vegan Babies
- Be a Role Model at Mealtime
- Keep Parents Updated
- For Child Care Providers: Feeding Babies in Their First Year
- For Parents: Varying Your Baby?s Veggies
- It?s Never Too Early To Sing and Read to Babies!
- In This Chapter
- Key Concepts
- Check Your Knowledge
- Chapter 7: Buying and Preparing Baby Foods
- Chapter 8: Safe Food Preparation
- Chapter 9: Choking Prevention
- Chapter 10: Food Allergies and Intolerances
- Chapter 11: Caring for Babies? Gums and Teeth
- Chapter 12: Partnering With Families
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Appendixes
- Appendix A: Sample Infant Daily Activity Chart
- Appendix B: Sample Infant Menu (6 Through 11 Months)
- Appendix C: Infant Meal Pattern
- Appendix D: Choose Breakfast Cereals That Are Lower in Added Sugars
- Appendix E: Choose Yogurts That Are Lower in Added Sugars
- Appendix F: Infant Foods List
- Appendix G: CACFP Questions and Answers
- Appendix H: Feeding Infants Pre- and Post-Test
- Index
- Acknowledgments
- Bibliography