37.95.1003    INFANT'S AND TODDLER'S FEEDING

(1) An individualized diet and feeding schedule shall be provided according to a written plan submitted by the parents or by the infant's physician with the knowledge and consent of the parents, guardian, or placement agency. A change of diet and schedule shall be noted on each infant's daily diet and feeding schedule.

(2) A day's supply of formula or breast milk in nursing bottles or formula requiring no more preparation than dilution with water shall be provided by the parents, unless an alternative agreement is reached between the parents and provider ensuring that the infant's nutritional needs are sufficiently met. Bottles of formula or breast milk shall be clearly labeled with each infant's name and date and immediately refrigerated. After use bottles shall be thoroughly rinsed before returning to the parent at the end of the day. Special dietary foods required by infants and toddlers shall be prepared by the parents.

(3) Bottles shall not be propped. Infants too young to sit in high chairs shall be held in a semi-sitting position for all bottle feedings.

(a) Infants and toddlers who use a bottle shall not be allowed to lie on their backs when drinking from the bottle.

(b) Older infants and toddlers shall be provided age-appropriate feeding equipment when being fed. This includes safe high chairs, baby feeding tables, booster seats, and child-size tables and chairs. Use of these types of equipment must be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and must be appropriate for the age of the child using the equipment.

(c) Infants six months of age or over who show a preference for holding their own bottles may do so provided an adult remains in the room and within observation of the infant.

(d) Bottles and spill-proof cups (sippy cups) must be taken from the infant or toddler when they finish feeding, when the bottle or cup is empty, and while they are sleeping.

(4) If the parent is unable to bring sufficient or usable formula or breast milk, the facility may use commercially prepared and packaged formulas. Older infants and toddlers shall be provided suitable foods which encourage freedom in self-feeding. Unused food shall be stored in the original container and kept separate from other foodstuffs. Dry cereal, cookies, crackers, breads, and similar foods shall be stored in clean, covered containers.

(5) If the container in which the formula was purchased does not include a sanitized bottle and nipple, then transfer of ready-to-feed formula from the bulk container to the bottle and nipple feeding unit must be done in a sanitary manner in the kitchen. Bottles filled on the premises of the facility should be refrigerated immediately if not used and contents discarded if not used within 12 hours.

(6) If bottles and nipples are to be used by the facility, they must be cleaned and sanitized using generally accepted means of sanitation such as washing in a dishwasher or by washing in hot water, rinsing, and boiling for one minute.

 

History: 52-2-704, MCA; IMP, 52-2-731, MCA; NEW, 1982 MAR p. 722, Eff. 4/16/82; TRANS, from Dept. of SRS, 1987 MAR p. 1492, Eff. 7/1/87; TRANS, from DFS, 1998 MAR p. 2881; AMD, 2000 MAR p. 2415, Eff. 9/8/00; AMD, 2012 MAR p. 1368, Eff. 7/13/12.