Expressed Breast Milk and Infant Formula
National Quality Standards QA2 2.1 2.1.1 2.2.1
Each child’s health is promoted. Each child’s health needs are supported. Healthy eating is promoted and food and drinks provided by the service are nutritious and appropriate for each child.
Regulations
Regs 77 78 79 80 90 91 162 168
Health, hygiene and safe food practices Food and beverages Service providing food and beverages Weekly menu Medical conditions policy Medical conditions policy to be provided to parents Health information to be kept in enrolment record Education and care service must have policies and procedures
Early Years Learning Framework LO3 Children recognise and communicate their bodily needs (for example, thirst, hunger, rest, comfort, physical activity).
Children are happy, healthy, safe and connected to others.
Children show an increasing awareness of healthy lifestyles and good nutrition.
Educators promote continuity of children’s personal health and hygiene by sharing ownership of routines and schedules with children, families and the community.
Educators discuss health and safety issues with children and involve them in developing guidelines to keep the environment safe for all.
Educators engage children in experiences, conversations and routines that promote healthy lifestyles and good nutrition.
Educators model and reinforce health, nutrition and personal hygiene practices with children.
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Aim Research shows that breastfeeding is the best form of infant nutrition. Our Centre aims to promote healthy lifestyles, good nutrition and wellbeing for all children, we support mothers who wish to continue breastfeeding once they return to work. Educators at the Clermont Kindergarten Daycare Centre work with families to create a supportive and safe environment where the recommended nutritional advice, as outlined by Australia’s nationally recognised authority, Nutritional Australia is used to guide our professional practice.
Related Policies Enrolment Policy Medical Conditions Policy Behaviour Management Policy Parent Interaction Policy
Additional Needs Policy Hand Washing policy Inclusion Policy Health and Hygiene Policy
Procedure Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended, with positive support, for babies up to six months. Breastfeeding has many benefits for both infants and mothers. For this reason, we strive to provide a supportive environment for this to occur. To achieve this we will: • • •
Provide a clean, welcoming area for mothers to sit and feed their infant Information and links to community support will be sourced and regularly updated. This information will be made available to mothers All Educators will understand and practice the recommended requirements and procedures for the effective handling and storage of expressed breast milk as outlined by Staying Healthy, preventing infectious disease in Early Childhood Education and Care Services 5th edition, Australian Government National Health and Medical Research Council.
Storage and Transportation of Expressed Breast Milk (EBM)
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We ask that mothers express directly into a sterile container This container needs to be clearly labelled “EXPRESSED BREAST MILK”, with the child’s name, the date the milk was expressed and if the milk has been defrosted. EBM should be transported to the service in an insulated container with an ice brick Once at the service Educators will provide parents with a clean, clearly labelled (with Child’s name) storage container to store the EBM. Parents and Educators are to store all EBM at the back of the fridge to ensure the quality of the milk is retained during the storage/defrosting process.
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Preparing Expressed Breast Milk It is important to remember that EBM is a bodily fluid and therefore needs to be treated as such. Appropriate health and hygiene requirements apply to the handling of EBM. It is essential that the following health and safety requirements are met; • •
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Always wash and dry your hands before preparing EBM (refer to our Centre Hand Washing Policy). Always wear gloves when handling EBM and preparing food. EBM is a bodily fluid, therefore appropriate precautions need to be followed (see Containing Bodily Fluids Policy for further information if required). Frozen EBM will be defrosted in the back of the fridge. If EBM is required urgently place the EBM in the bottle warmer on the lowest setting or the bottle warming container provided. Use only warm water to defrost EBM (never hot). 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Cooled steralised water can be found in the bottle preparation area Boil the kettle Add freshly boiled water to the steralised water in the bottle prep container Add the EBM to the container to warm Warm EBM to body temperature (between 37-37.5°C) Test the temperature of the EBM on your wrist before feeding to the infant (this can only be done safely if there is no broken skin on the wrist). Alternatively, use the food prep thermometer in the bottle prep area to test the temperature of the milk.
(Follow appropriate Work Place Health and Safety Requirements when handling boiled water, see WH and S Policy for further information) • • • •
Never refreeze EBM if it has partially defrosted on arrival at the service Never use the microwave to warm EBM Discard milk not used after feeding Under no circumstance will any unused EBM be re-stored or reheated
Storing, Preparing and Feeding Infant Formula Where breastfeeding is partially or fully discontinued, feeding babies infant formula is recommended as infant formula is the only safe alternative to breast milk. All infant formulas in Australia are regulated through the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code When infant formula is required we ask that parents provide: • • •
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Enough clean, sterilised bottles filled with the required amount of sterilised water or your child’s daily scheduled feeds. An additional clean, sterilised bottle, filled with the required amount of sterilised water. This will be used in any case where an additional feed is required. Pre-measured formula that is labelled and dated. Alternatively parents can provide a labeled tin of Infant formula with the provided measuring scoop.
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In this case Educator’s will; 1. Check the used by date on the formula 2. Measure the formula correctly according to the child’s age and feeding requirements 3. Use the correct food handling procedure as outlined below and in our Food Handling Policy •
We ask that parents refrain from providing formula that is pre-mixed
When Preparing Infant Formula: • • • • • • • • •
Wash and Dry your hands (refer to the Centre’s Hand Washing Policy) Wear gloves while preparing infant formula If pre-prepared bottles of sterilised water have not been provided by parents, use the room temperature sterilised water provided in the bottle prep area. Refer to the infant formula feeding guide in the bottle prep area for required measurement of water Check the date on the formula tin and or the premeasured formula container provided by parents before mixing with the water. Use a mixture of boiled water and sterilised water in the bottle prep container available to warm the prepared bottle to the appropriate temperature (37-37.5°C). Test formula temperature on your wrist or with the food thermometers provided before feeding to the infant. Never leave an infant unattended while feeding Never give an infant a bottle in their cot – this is a choking risk and promotes poor dental and food safety hygiene.
Educators will find a comfortable chair to feed the infant. Under no circumstance will an infant be left unsupervised to feed themselves or will the bottle be propped. Improving Cross Cultural Communication Effectiveness • • • • • •
Tailor your advice considering the needs and environments of the mother and family Speak clearly and simply without being simplistic or patronising Clarify meaning-both yours and others Be aware of your non-verbal behaviour and the way you interpret that of others Monitor your own style and way you respond to differences Relate to others as individuals, recognising similarities rather than differences
Important things to Remember • • • •
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Educators will find a comfortable chair to feed the infant. Under no circumstance will an infant be left to feed themselves or will the bottle be propped. At no point should another child be able to access another child’s bottle Expressed Breast Milk is a bodily fluid, therefore the above measures need to be followed to ensure the health and safety of all infants, Educators and Families
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Information on breastfeeding • • • •
Australian Breastfeeding Association https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/ National Breastfeeding Helpline (1800 686 268, 7 days a week) Department of Health Queensland (13 43 25 84, a 24/7 phone service for all Queenslanders). ‘Growing Strong’ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander resources http://www.health.qld.gov.au/ph/documents/hpu/growingstrong.asp you need to press space so this becomes blue
Sources
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Child Care Regulations 2010
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NHMRC. Staying Healthy in Childcare Preventing Infectious Diseases in Childcare 5 Edition Public Health Act 2005
National Quality Standards NCAC Putting Children First Nutrition Australia QLD, 2014
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Public Health Regulations 2005
Policy Review This policy will be reviewed annually This review will be conducted by;
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Management Committee Director Administrator Association Members Parents
Last Reviewed – November 2014 Next Review due – November 2015
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