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National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care


CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM CHILD CARE INFANT MEAL PATTERN

Age
Breakfast
Lunch or Supper
Snack (midmorning or midafternoon)
Infants
Birth through
3 months

4 to 6 ounces formula1 or breast milk2,3*
4 to 6 fluid ounces formula1 or breast milk2,3
4 to 6 fluid ounces formula1 or breast milk2,3
Infants
4 months through 7 months
4 to 8 fluid ounces formula1 or breast milk2,3

0 to 3 tablespoons infant cereal1,4
4 to 8 fluid ounces formula1 or breast milk2,3

0 to 3 tablespoons infant cereal1,4

0 to 3 tablespoons fruit and/or vegetable
4
4 to 6 fluid ounces formula1 or breast milk2,3
Infants
8 months through 11 months
6 to 8 fluid ounces formula1 or breast milk2,3

2 to 4 tablespoons infant cereal1

1 to 4 tablespoons fruit
and/or vegetable
6 to 8 fluid ounces formula1 or breast milk2,3

2 to 4 tablespoons infant cereal1
AND/OR

1 to 4 tablespoons meat, fish, poultry, egg yolk, or cooked dry beans or peas OR

1/2 to 2 ounces cheese
OR

1 to 4 tablespoons cottage cheese, cheese food, or cheese spread
OR

1 to 4 tablespoons fruit and/or vegetable
2 to 4 fluid ounces formula1, breast milk,2,3 or fruit juice5

0 to 1/2 slice bread4,6
OR

0 to 2 crackers4,6

1 Infant formula and dry infant cereal shall be iron fortified.

2 It is recommended that breast milk be served in place of formula from birth through 11 months.

3 For some breastfed infants who regularly consume less than the minimum amount of breast milk per feeding, a serving of less than the minimum amount of breast milk may be offered, with additional breast milk if the infant is still hungry.

4 A serving of this component shall be optional.

5 Fruit juice shall be full strength.

6 Bread and bread alternatives shall be made from whole-grain or enriched meal or flour.

* breast milk is a commonly used term for human milk.


Caring for Our Children, 2nd ed.
Copyright 2002.
National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care
1-800-598-KIDS(5437)
info@nrckids.org
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