Code of Colorado Regulations
1400 - Department of Early Childhood
1402 - Division of Early Learning, Licensing, and Administration
8 CCR 1402-1 - CHILD CARE FACILITY LICENSING RULES AND REGULATIONS
FOOD AND NUTRITION
Section 8 CCR 1402-1-2.326 - FEEDING INFANTS

A. An individualized diet and feeding schedule must be provided in a written plan submitted by the parent(s) or guardians(s), or by the child's physician with the knowledge and consent of the parent. Any change of diet and schedule must be communicated to the primary provider prior to implementing a new diet or schedule.

B. Bottles of milk, formula, or breast milk must never be warmed or thawed in a microwave oven. Infant formula and breast milk cannot be reused. If a child does not finish the bottle of formula or breast milk within one (1) hour, the contents must be thrown out.

C. If the infant is breast fed, the provider must not offer formula, water, or other liquids without discussing substitutions or supplementation with the infant's parent(s) or guardian(s).

D. The primary provider must make an area in the home available for a breast feeding mother to breast feed her infant while visiting the home during business hours.

E. All infants less than six (6) months of age must be held for bottle feedings and should be held so they can see the face of the primary provider, applicant 2, equally qualified provider, qualified substitute, or staff member if it is appropriate for the child. Bottles must not be propped.

F. Infants over six (6) months of age must not be allowed to hold their own bottles when lying flat.

G. Bottles must not be allowed in sleep equipment with the infant.

H. There must be a sufficient supply of bottles provided for the entire day; or if bottles are to be reused, they must be washed, rinsed, and sanitized after each use.

I. Primary providers, applicant 2, equally qualified providers, qualified substitutes, or staff members may not mix cereal with breast milk or formula and feed it to an infant from a bottle or infant feeder unless there are written instructions from the child's health care provider.

J. Commercially prepared formula must be mixed in accordance with the directions of the manufacturer or written instructions from the child's health care provider.

K. Each bottle must be marked with the child's name when there is more than one (1) child in care that drinks from a bottle.

L. At a minimum, meals and snacks provided for infants under the age of one (1) year must contain the foods listed in the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) child and adult care food program meal pattern for infants, found in "Feeding Infants in the Child and Adult Care Food Program guide (July 2021), herein incorporated by reference. This guide is available for no cost from the USDA at https://fns-prod.azureedge.us/sites/default/files/resource-files/FI_FullGuide_2021.pdf. The guide is also available for inspection and copying from the Department at 710 S. Ash St., Denver, CO 80246, during regular business hours.

M. Foods must be appropriate for infants' developmental stages as determined by instructions obtained from the infant's parent(s), guardian(s), or health care provider.

N. New foods must not be introduced to children under twelve (12) months of age without parent(s) or guardian(s) permission.

O. Infants who are eating solid foods must be provided with suitable solid foods that encourage freedom in self-feeding and must be fed in safe chairs such as highchairs.

P. When the primary provider, applicant 2, equally qualified provider, qualified substitute, or staff member provides food other than breast milk or formula, food must be varied and include food from cereal, vegetable, fruit, and protein sources. When the parent(s) or guardian(s) provide solid food, the provider must supply any additional foods as needed and/or monitor the infant's total nutritional intake.

Q. Children who are actively eating may be in a highchair or other approved feeding equipment for longer than fifteen (15) minutes. Children must be moved once feeding is complete.

R. Honey and products containing honey must never be served to infants under twelve (12) months of age.