Infant Feeding
Responsive, safe, and individualized infant feeding in Family Child Care businesses. FCC owners are required to follow each infant’s written feeding instructions from the parent or guardian, including type of milk or formula, feeding schedule, any special dietary needs and always add the date and time of feeding. Infants must be fed according to their individual needs and developmental readiness not on a rigid schedule supporting healthy growth, self-regulation, and emotional well-being.
California Community Care Licensing (Title 22) also requires food safety and supervision practices during infant feeding. Bottles and food containers must be properly labeled, stored, and handled to prevent contamination. Infants must be held during bottle feeding and closely supervised when eating solid foods to reduce choking risks. All feeding equipment must be cleaned and sanitized after each use, and unused milk or food must be discarded according to health and licensing guidelines. Clear communication with families and consistent documentation help ensure compliance, safety, and continuity of care.
FCC Infant Feeding: Title 22 Requirements & Best Practices
| Area | Title 22–Aligned Requirements |
|---|---|
| Written Feeding Plan | Parent-provided written instructions for feeding schedule, milk/formula, and solids |
| Bottle Feeding | Infants must be held; bottle propping is prohibited |
| Labeling | Bottles and food labeled with infant’s full name and date |
| Food Storage | Breast milk and formula refrigerated promptly; unused portions discarded |
| Warming Bottles | Warm using bottle warmers or warm water only; microwaves prohibited |
| Solid Foods | Introduced only with parent approval and when developmentally appropriate |
| Supervision | Infants to always be supervised during feeding |
| Choking Prevention | Infants positioned safely, foods appropriate to age and ability |
| Sanitation | Hands washed before feeding; bottles and utensils cleaned and sanitized |
| Documentation | Feeding times, amounts, and concerns documented as required |
| Allergies | Written documentation for allergies and special dietary needs |
Infant feeding in FCC must be individualized, safe, and family-directed.
Key Requirements
- Feed infants on demand unless otherwise directed.
- Hold infants during bottle feeding (never prop).
- Label bottles with full name and date.
- Refrigerate breast milk/formula immediately.
- Warm bottles in warm water only; never use a microwave.
- Discard leftover milk after each feeding.
- Introduce solid foods only when parents indicate readiness.
Signs of Readiness for Solids
- Sits with support
- Shows interest in food
- Opens mouth for spoon
- Reduced tongue-thrust reflex
Breast Milk & Formula Storage
- Breast milk:
- Refrigerator: up to 4 days
- Freezer: 6–12 months
- Prepared formula:
- Refrigerator: up to 24 hours
- Discard after 1 hour of feeding
