Code of Colorado Regulations
1000 - Department of Public Health and Environment
1010 - Division of Environmental Health and Sustainability
6 CCR 1010-7 - RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE HEALTH AND SANITATION OF CHILD CARE FACILITIES IN THE STATE OF COLORADO
Section 6 CCR 1010-7.12 - Infant and Toddler Programs and as Applicable to Older Children

Universal Citation: 6 CO Code Regs 1010-7 § 12

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 6, March 25, 2025

7.12.1 Personal Items and Bedding

A. Adequate supplies of diapers, clean clothing, and linens shall be available for the needs of each infant and toddler. Clothing and linens shall be changed when soiled with high hazard body fluids.

B. Adequate storage space shall be provided for the personal items of each infant and toddler.

C. Soiled cloths contaminated with high hazard body fluids shall be returned to the parent or guardian in a non-absorbent container or laundered as required in Section 7.8.6(A)(4).

D. Cloth bibs used shall be washed between uses of different children or when soiled and stored as required in Section 7.8.6(A)(2).

E. Bibs made from silicone or other non-cloth materials shall be washed, rinsed, and sanitized as required in Section 7.11.

7.12.2 Clothing for Infant Care

A. Clothing worn by staff members to and from work shall be covered or replaced by clean non-irritating washable smocks or similar clothing. Staff shall change or replace their smocks when smocks become soiled.

B. Shoes worn outside of an infant classroom shall be covered or removed when entering an infant classroom.

7.12.3 Infant Feeding

A. Staff members shall wash their hands before preparing bottles and foods and just prior to feeding infants, as well as when required by Section 7.10.3

1. Staff members with cuts or open wounds on their hands shall not be involved with infant feeding unless the wound is covered with an impermeable cover and a single-use glove is worn over the impermeable cover.

B. A designated sink shall be used to fill, warm, and dump infant bottles. In the absence of a designated sink, a written multi-use sink operational plan may be approved by the Department pursuant to Section 7.11.2(A)(1).

1. If infant bottles are to be reused, they shall be washed, rinsed and sanitized in approved warewashing sinks after each use, as required by Section 7.11.2(A)(5) or returned to the parent or guardian at the end of the day for washing. Bottle sanitizing devices may be used provided manufacturer's instructions are followed.

2. Frozen human milk or infant formula shall be thawed under cold running water, in a slow cooker/warming device, or in a refrigerator.

3. Bottles of human milk or infant formula shall never be warmed in a microwave oven.

4. The use of a slow cooker or other warming device to thaw and/or warm human milk or infant formula can be utilized, if:

a. The human milk or infant formula is thawed and warmed for immediate consumption; and,

b. The warming container is emptied, cleaned, sanitized, and refilled daily with fresh water.

5. Accidental feeding of human milk to another mother's child shall be handled in accordance with Standard 4.3.1.4, Feeding Human Milk to Another Mother's Child, Caring for Our Children, 2020, hereby incorporated by reference.

6. Beverages dispensed into a bottle by the facility staff shall be:

a. From an approved source;

b. Dispensed from the original container; and,

c. Dispensed into a clean and sanitized bottle.

C. Human milk or prepared infant formula in bottles or other storage containers shall be:

1. Labeled with the infant's name;

2. The date received; and,

3. Stored at 41°F or below.

4. Human milk or prepared infant formula that is unopened and not used the day it was prepared or received from the parent or guardian shall be returned to the parent or guardian at the end of the day. This shall not apply to frozen human milk.

5. All human milk and infant formula shall only be used for the intended child. Bottles of human milk shall be differentiated by colored labels or another method approved by the Department.

D. Freshly expressed human milk may be stored at room temperature for up to four hours or refrigerated.

1. Previously frozen human milk shall be used the same day it was thawed or returned to the parent or guardian at the end of the day.

2. Human milk that has been warmed or leftover from a feeding (child did not finish the bottle) may be stored at room temperature for up to two hours. Any contents remaining after two hours shall be discarded.

E. Infant formula shall be stored in its original container, be mixed in accordance with the manufacturer's labeled instructions. Expired formula shall not be used.

1. Prepared infant formula shall be stored and labeled as required by Section 7.12.3(C).

2. Portions of prepared formula leftover from a feeding (child did not finish the bottle) may be stored at room temperature for up to one hour. Any contents remaining after one hour shall be discarded.

F. Bottles shall never be returned to the refrigerator after being heated or after a feeding.

G. Infant food provided by the parent or guardian shall be labeled with the infant's name and kept covered when not in use.

H. The service of honey to infants is prohibited.

I. Commercially processed baby food dispensed directly from the container to a child shall be limited to one infant, with unconsumed portions discarded at the end of each feeding.

1. Containers of baby food dispensed onto separate dishware and served individually from those dishes may be returned to the refrigerator for storage for the remainder of the day. Unconsumed portions from the dishware shall be discarded.

2. No more than one infant shall be fed from the same container of food or the same utensil. Utensils, including dishware, shall be washed, rinsed, and sanitized between uses by an approved method as described in Section 7.11.1(A)(5).

7.12.4 Diapering and Toileting Assistance

A. Diapers shall be checked for wetness or feces at least every two hours, or whenever the child indicates discomfort or exhibits behavior that suggests a soiled or wet diaper. The child shall be changed when found to be wet or soiled.

B. A diaper changing station or changing area shall be provided and located separate from any food or bottle preparation, storage or serving area.

1. Equipment and surfaces shall be of sturdy construction with smooth, durable, non- absorbent, and easily cleanable surfaces.

2. A handwashing sink shall meet the requirements of Section 7.8.5.

3. Soiled diapers, wipes, and gloves shall be disposed of in a washable, covered container lined with a plastic bag, located adjacent to the changing table or changing area, and inaccessible to children.

4. Items unrelated to diaper changing shall not be placed on changing tables or wall hung changing stations.

5. Changing tables, stations, or mats shall be kept clean and in good repair and shall be cleaned and disinfected after each use with a disposable towel as indicated in Section 7.10.6.

C. The following procedure shall be conducted each time a diaper is changed:

1. All supplies needed for diaper changing shall be placed at the diaper changing area before the child is brought to the changing area.

2. Individuals changing diapers shall place a new pair of gloves on hands prior to changing the child's diaper.

3. The child shall be placed on a clean, disinfected, and dry changing table or mat. If the child is standing, the area must be a nonporous and an easily cleanable surface.

4. The child shall be cleaned on the body wherever necessary.

5. Soiled clothes shall be placed in a plastic bag for parents or guardians to take home. Soiled diapers shall be placed in a covered, impervious plastic lined receptacle.

6. If topical ointments are applied, clean gloves shall be donned. Gloves shall be removed before handling clean clothing and diapers.

7. An infant's hands shall be washed as outlined in Section 7.10.3(C). A toddler or older child's hands shall be washed as outlined in Section 7.10.3(A).

8. The child then may be returned to a clean crib or to play.

9. The staff member shall then clean to remove visible soils and disinfect the following:

a. The diapering area;

(1) For stand up diapering procedures, the floor/mat must be cleaned and disinfected if visibly soiled;

b. The equipment or supplies touched during diapering; and,

c. Any other surfaces or furnishings contaminated with urine or feces.

10. The staff member shall then thoroughly wash their hands in accordance with Section 7.10.3(A).

D. Soiled cloth diapers and clothing shall be immediately placed in a waterproof bag after being removed from the child and shall be stored in a covered diaper pail for return to the parents, guardians or diaper service or until laundered offsite. Soiled cloth diapers or clothing shall not be rinsed.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Colorado may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.

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