This document may be posted to meet the requirements of DCF 251.

09 (3)(b) regarding the procedures for heating food, milk and formula.

STORING AND WARMING INFANT BOTTLES AND FOOD

The Department does NOT recommend the use of microwaves for heating FORMULA OR FOOD.
The Licensing Rules for family and group child care centers PROHIBIT the heating of breast milk in microwaves.
S to r ag e War mi n g
Breast milk and pre-made bottles It is recommended that the unused It is recommended that frozen breast If a slow-cooking device such as a crock
supplied by parents must be labeled with breast milk be discarded after 48 hours milk be thawed under lukewarm pot is used for warming breast milk,
the child’s name, dated and stored in the if refrigerated or after three months if running water or in the refrigerator. infant formula or food, this slow cooking
refrigerator. frozen. device should be kept out of children’s
Breast milk may be kept frozen if it is the Unused frozen breast milk which has Infant formula or food that remains reach.
way it was supplied by the parent. been thawed in the refrigerator should be unconsumed after a feeding should be It is recommended that electrical cords
Infant formula and food in the original used within 24 hours. discarded. attached to crock pots be secured out of
packaging must be stored and used as the reach of children to prevent children
indicated on the label. It is recommended that thawed breast If parents request that bottles or infant from grabbing the cord and pulling the
milk or formula that has been out of the food be warmed prior to feeding, it is device down on him or herself.
It is recommended that only BPA-free refrigerator for more than 1 hour or a recommended that bottles or food con-
plastic, plastic labeled #1, #2, #4 or #5, or bottle (or cup) that has been fed to the tainers be placed under warm, running A slow-cooking device used to warm
glass bottles or containers be used. child for a period that exceeds 1 hour tap water or placed in a container of breast milk, infant formula or food
from the beginning of the feeding be water that is no warmer than 1200 F. should be emptied, cleaned, sanitized
discarded. and refilled with fresh water each day.
Warmed infant food should be transferred
to a dish prior to serving. Partially consumed bottles or cups of
formula or milk may not be placed in the Bottles or containers of infant food Warm only the amount of breast milk,
refrigerator for later consumption. should not be left in a pot of water for infant formula or food that the child
Bottles and infant food may be served is expected to eat or drink at that feed-
Freshly expressed breast milk (not longer than 5 minutes.
cold from the refrigerator or at room ing.
temperature. frozen) that has not been served to a
child may remain at room temperature
Neither bottles nor infant food are for up to 8 hours.
required to be warmed.

Although it is not recommended, if a provider chooses to use a microwave to warm NOTES:

infant formula or food, the following procedures should be followed: 1. Playtex, Evenflo and Gerber unanimously recommend against
Prior to warming in a microwave, remember: microwaving formula in nursers with disposable plastic inserts.
• Warm only refrigerated formula Hot spots in the milk may weaken the seams.
• Always stand the bottle up 2. Use of glass bottles may result in cracking or explosion and should be
• Always leave the bottle top uncovered to allow heat to escape avoided.
Warming instructions for 1 bottle: 3. When formula is microwaved, heat accumulates in the top of the
• 4oz bottles – warm at low power for no more than 30 seconds bottle. So shake well and test the temperature by shaking some of the
• 8oz bottles – warm at low power for no more than 45 seconds liquid on top of your hand. If heated formula feels warm to the touch it
Serving instructions: is probably above body temperature and should not be used immediately.
• Always replace nipple assembly; invert 10 times (vigorous shaking is unnecessary) 4. Bottles must be heated without a nipple or a cap and inverted prior to
• Formula should be cool to the touch; formula warm to the touch may be too hot to serve serving to avoid oral cavity and esophageal burns.
• Always test formula; place several drops on top of the hand (not the inside wrist)