D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 5, r. 5-A156

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 49, December 6, 2024

Rule 5-A156 - HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE: INFANT FEEDING

156.1

This section shall only apply to a licensed Facility that provides care services to infants.

156.2

A Licensee shall comply with the following requirements concerning infant formula and feeding:

(a) Each feeding bottle for an infant or toddler shall be labeled with the name of the child to whom it belongs;

(b) Each bottle of milk or formula shall be labeled with the date of preparation, and refrigerated at thirty- five to forty degrees Fahrenheit (35° - 40°);

(c) Each open container of ready-to- feed or concentrated formula shall be used for only one (1) child, and shall be labeled with that child's first and last name and the date on which the container is opened;

(d) All infant formula given to a child shall be prepared according to written instructions obtained from the parent(s) or guardian(s) of that child or from the child's licensed health care practitioner;

(e) All bottles and formula preparation equipment shall be washed with hot water and detergent in sinks which are not designated for hand washing only;

(f) Bottles, bottle caps, nipples, and other equipment used for bottle feeding shall not be reused without first being cleaned and sanitized by washing in a dishwasher or by washing, rinsing, and boiling them for one (1) minute;

(g) Each bottle of reconstituted concentrated or powdered formula shall be refrigerated immediately after its preparation, or immediately upon its arrival at the Facility if it is prepared and brought to the Facility by the child's parent(s) or guardian(s), and may be held for feeding for no longer than twenty- four (24) hours;

(h) Each bottle of commercially prepared ready-to- feed formula shall be refrigerated promptly after it is opened;

(i) After each feeding, discard any unused:

(1) Formula within one hour of feeding; and

(2) Breast milk, if less than one ounce, otherwise return remaining breast milk to the mother;

(j) Each bottle or container of breast milk provided for a child by the parent(s) or guardian(s) of that child shall be labeled with the child's first and last name and the date of receipt, and refrigerated immediately upon its arrival at the Facility;

(k) Fluid breast milk may be held for a feeding for no more than twenty- four (24) hours, and frozen breast milk may be held in a frozen state for no more than two (2) months;

(l) Bottles shall be warmed under running, warm tap water or by placing them in a container of water that is no warmer than one hundred and twenty degrees Fahrenheit (120°). Bottles shall not be left in a pot of water to warm for more than five (5) minutes;

(m) Microwaving of breast milk is prohibited. If the Facility plans to use this method of heating formula or other liquids and foods, the Licensee shall notify a child's parent(s) or guardian(s) in writing;

(n) All warmed bottles shall be shaken and temperature tested before feeding to a child. Warmed solid foods shall be stirred and temperature tested before feeding to a child. Liquid and food shall be room temperature;

(o) A Licensee shall provide, or require the parent(s) or guardian(s) of each infant to provide, a sufficient supply of commercially prepared formula so that the child will be adequately fed in the event of emergency;

(p) Each child who is too young or otherwise developmentally unable to use a feeding chair or other appropriate seating apparatus shall be held while being fed;

(q) Each child who is too young, too small, or otherwise developmentally unable to hold his or her bottle while feeding shall be held while being fed; and

(r) A Licensee shall provide a comfortable and secluded location where mothers may breast- feed their children on-site.

156.3

A Licensee shall comply with the following requirements concerning infant solid food:

(a) All solid food provided to an infant shall be served according to written instructions, which specify the amount(s) and type(s) of food and feeding times that are requested and obtained by the Facility from the parent(s) or guardian(s) of that child or from the child's licensed health care practitioner;

(b) Each container of infant food that is provided to the Facility by the parent(s) or guardian(s) of a child for feeding to that child shall be labeled with the child's first and last name and the date of receipt;

(c) Each container of infant food shall be refrigerated immediately upon its arrival at the Facility, with the exception of unopened containers of commercially prepared bottled or canned food that may be stored at room temperature until opened; and

(d) The uneaten portion of any container of infant food shall be immediately and appropriately refrigerated shall not be comingled with any other food prepared at the Facility, and shall not be held for further consumption for longer than twenty- four (24) hours;.

156.4

Unless the Facility has received written notice from the child's licensed health care practitioner or medical authority, a Licensee shall follow the Child and Adult Care Food Program infant meal patterns.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 5, r. 5-A156

Final Rulemaking published at 63 DCR 14640 (12/2/2016)