Compliance Indicator

The program provides for the nutritional needs of children in attendance at no additional cost to families. The meals are culturally and developmentally appropriate for the children being served and shall meet the nutritional requirements specified by the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) or the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).

Regulations/Reference

CCD Program Instrument: III. Program Quality CCD 13 Welfare & Institutions Code: 10208, 10210, 10240, 10250, 10251
Title 5: 18111 & 18278

Monitoring Review Evidence

• Infant Meal Records

• List of Any Children with Food Allergies

• Written Policies for Provision of Meals/Snacks

Claims for Reimbursement

Infant Feeding Resources

Birth through 5 Months

For infants who are between the ages of birth through the end of 5 months, the only item that should be served is breastmilk or iron-fortified formula

Promote Breastfeeding

It is commonly known that breast feeding generally provides the best source of nutrients & helps protect infants against illnesses & chronic diseases. 

For this reason, it is important to promote breastfeeding by providing a private & sanitary location that allows mothers to breastfeed their children or express milk to be stored such as:

• Including a comfortable chair

• Table

• Access to running water & soap

• Signage designating a private breastfeeding area

On-Site Breastfeeding

On-site breastfeeding must be documented. You may simply write on the menu or meal count form one of the following:

• Infant was offered breastmilk

• Breastfed on-site

• Mother on-site

NOTE: No requirement to measure the amount of breastmilk a mother feeds her infant

Serving Milk

Types of Milk

Parent may choose to provide expressed breast milk for caretaker to serve to their infant while in care

OR

If a child is not being fed breast milk, iron-fortified formula is the best alternative

Serving Milk

Feed on demand

Avoid force-feeding

Serve a minimum of 4-6 fluid ounces at each meal (Note that some infants may not consume the entire serving)

6 Months through 11 Months

For infants who are between the ages of 6 months through 11 months, meal planning requires more consideration, as this is the time that solid foods are introduced into the infant’s diet.

Ready for Solid Foods?

While there is no exact way to determine when an infant is developmentally ready to accept solid foods, there are a few guidelines that may be helpful:

Sits in seat with good head control

Opens mouth when food comes their way

Moves food from a spoon into their throat

Doubled their birth weight

NOTE: Most infants are capable of these skills at approximately 6 months, but it may be as late as 7 or 8 months.

Introducing Solid Foods

Once an infant is ready to accept solid foods AND you have communicated with the parent(s), offer food to the infant using the following guidelines:

Gradually introduce solid foods, one at a time & over the course of a few days or weeks

Ensure food has appropriate texture & consistency

Always watch for allergic reactions

NOTE: It is not necessary to offer an infant a solid food component at every meal until the infant has established a tolerance for that food component. 

Meal Patterns

Meal pattern requirements for infants ages 6 months through 11 months are as follows:

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

For breakfast, lunch & dinner, all components must be offered:

1. Breast Milk or Formula

2. Fruit/Veggie

3. Grains

4. Meat/Meat Alternative

For snack, 3 components must be offered:

1. Breast Milk or Formula

2. Fruit/Veggie

3. Grains

Special Rules/Limitations

To ensure nutritious meals are being served, there are rules or limitations that apply to the type of beverage or food item being served within the meal components.

Formula

If a child is not being fed breast milk, iron-fortified formula is the best alternative.

There are two main requirements to remember when supplying formula to infants in your care.

1. Offer at least one variety of iron-fortified formula

2. It must be a formula that is regulated by the FDA

Fruits & Veggies

Fruits & vegetables are an essential source of nutrients such as fiber & various vitamins.

Caretakers are required to incorporate 0 to 2 tablespoons of fruits, vegetables, or both into all meals & snacks.

Meats & Meat Alternates

Low-fat meat & meat alternatives such as yogurt, whole eggs, cheese & dry beans are also an important component of infant meals because they provide protein.

Eggs

• Whole egg must be served

• Serving size is 0 to 4 tablespoons

Yogurt

• 0 to 4 ounces or a ½ cup is considered one serving

• May only be served once daily

• Pay attention to serving sizes & “sugars” or “added sugars”

• NOT more than 23 grams of sugar per 6 ounce serving

Cheese

• 0 to 2 ounces of cheese is considered one serving

• Many varieties available

• No “cheese foods” or “cheese products”

Grains

Within the grain component, cereals may served to children as part of a meal or snack; however in order to be considered reimbursable, cereals must not contain more than 6 grams of sugar per dry ounce

NOTE: An easy way to determine if the cereal is acceptable is to use WIC approved cereals

Modifications

Sometimes infants have disabilities, allergies, or conditions that prevent them from being able to consume a particular food item, such as iron-fortified formula.

Medical Statements

Medical Statement is only required when modifications do not meet the meal pattern requirements

Medical Statement is required when a meal modification calls for serving a specific food or an entire meal that does not meet the meal pattern requirements

A medical statement should include two key features:

1. Information describing child’s disability & how it affects their diet

2. Alternative formula or food

Review Medical Statements carefully & keep on file

Ensure the posted food allergy alert is current & staff are very familiar with children who have milk or food allergies

Other Resources

Access many CACFP trainings & resources available on the Institute of Child Nutrition’s website located at theicn.org

After reviewing the video lesson & sketch pad notes, it’s time to check for understanding by completing a Knowledge Check. Note that Individual Knowledge Checks will conclude with a Certificate.

Individual Knowledge Check (ProProfs) >

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