C.M.R. 10, 148, ch. 1, 148-1-IV, subsec. 148-1-IV-B

Current through 2025-02, January 8, 2025

Subsection 148-1-IV-B - INFANT MEAL PATTERN

1. PURPOSE:

When infants from birth through 11 months participate in the C.A.C.F P., an infant meal shall be offered. Foods within the infant meal pattern shall be of a texture and consistency appropriate for the particular age group being served, and shall be served during a span of time consistent with the infant's eating habits.

For infants 4 through 7 months of age, solid foods are optional and should be introduced only if the infant is developmentally ready. Whenever possible the child care facility should consult with the infant's parent in making the decision to introduce solid foods. Solid foods should be introduced one at a time on a gradual basis with the intent of ensuring health and nutritional well-being.

For infants 8 through 11 months of age, the total amount of food described in the meal patterns set forth must be provided in order to qualify for reimbursement. Additional foods may be served to infants 4 months of age and older with the intent of improving their overall nutrition.

Breast milk, provided by the infant's mother, may be served in place of infant formula from birth through 11 months of age. However, meals/supplements containing only breast milk or formula provided by the parent do not qualify for reimbursement. Meals/supplements containing breast milk or formula provided by the parent, served to infants 4 months of age or older, may be claimed for reimbursement only when the other required food component or components are supplied by the child day care facility.

Although it is recommended that either breast milk or iron-fortified infant formula be served for the entire first year, whole milk may be served beginning at 8 months of age as long as infants are consuming one-third of their calories as a balanced mixture of cereal, fruits, vegetables, and other foods in order to ensure adequate sources of iron and vitamin C. In order to develop behaviors that may prevent baby bottle tooth decay, juice should not be offered to infants until they are ready to drink from a cup.

The infant meal pattern shall contain, as a minimum, each of the following components in the amounts indicated for the appropriate age group in order to be reimbursable.

1. Birth through 3 months:

a. Breakfast: 4 to 6 fluid ounces of iron-fortified infant formula;

b. Lunch or Supper: 4 to 6 fluid ounces of iron-fortified infant formula;

c. Supplemental Food: 4 to 6 fluid ounces of iron-fortified infant formula.

2. 4 through 7 months:

a. Breakfast: 4 to 8 fluid ounces of iron-fortified infant formula or breast milk; and 0 to 3 tablespoons of iron-fortified dry infant cereal;

b. Lunch or supper: 4 to 8 fluid ounces of iron-fortified infant formula or breast milk; 0 to 3 tablespoons of iron-fortified dry infant cereal; and 0 to 3 tablespoons of fruit or vegetable of appropriate consistency or a combination of both;

c. Supplemental food: 4 to 6 fluid ounces of iron-fortified infant formula.

3. 8 through 11 months:

a. Breakfast: 6 to 8 fluid ounces of iron-fortified infant formula or breast milk, or 6 to 8 fluid ounces of whole fluid milk; 2 to 4 tablespoons of iron-fortified dry infant cereal; and 1 to 4 tablespoons of fruit or vegetable of appropriate consistency;

b. Lunch or supper: 6 to 8 fluid ounces of iron-fortified infant formula or breast milk, or 6 to 8 fluid ounces whole fluid milk; 2 to 4 tablespoons of iron-fortified dry infant cereal and/or 1 to 4 tablespoons of meat, fish.. poultry.. egg yolk, or cooked dry beans or peas, or 1/2 to 2 ounces (weight) of cheese or 1 to 4 ounces (weight or volume) of cottage cheese or cheese food or cheese spread of appropriate consistency; and 1 to 4 tablespoons of fruit or vegetables of appropriate consistency,, or a combination of both.

NOTE: Commercially prepared infant/toddler foods containing items from more than one food group shall not be creditable for reimbursement under the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

c. Supplementary food: 2 to 4 fluid ounces of iron-fortified infant formula or breast milk, whole milk, or full strength fruit juice; and 0 - 1/2 slice of crusty bread or 0-2 cracker type products made from whole-grain or enriched meal or flour which are suitable for an infant for use as a finger food.

4. The minimum amounts and food components to be served as breakfast, lunch, supper or supplement as set forth above are as follows:

INFANT MEAL PATTERN

Birth through 3 months	4 through 7 months	8 through 11 months:
Breakfast	4-6 fl. oz. formula¹	4-8 fl. oz. formula ¹ or breast milk	6-8 fl. oz. formula ¹ breast milk, or whole milk
0-3 TBS. infant cereal²	2-4 TBS. infant cereal ²
1-4 TBS. fruit and/or vegetable
Lunch or Supper	4-6 fl. oz. formula ¹	4-8 fl. oz. formula ¹ or breast milk	6-8 fl. oz. formula¹breast milk, or whole milk.
0-3 TBS. infant cereal²	2-4 TBS. infant cereal² and/or
0-3 TBS. fruit and/or vegetable	1-4 TBS. meat, fish.. poultry, egg yolk or cooked dry beans or peas, or 1/2-2 oz. cheese or 1-4 oz. cottage cheese* cheese food or cheese spread
1-4 TBS. fruit and/or vegetable
Supplement:	4-6 fl. oz. formulal¹	4-6 fl. oz. formula¹	2-4 fl. oz. formula,¹ breast milk., whole milk, or fruit juices³
0-1/2 slice crusty bread, or
0-2 crackers.⁴

(1) Shall be iron-fortified infant formula.

(2) Shall be iron-fortified dry infant cereal.

(3) Shall be full-strength fruit juice.

(4) Shall be from whole-grain or enriched meal or flour.

C.M.R. 10, 148, ch. 1, 148-1-IV, subsec. 148-1-IV-B