Breastmilk or infant formula at childcare

Let’s explore the key considerations for breastfeeding or infant formula feeding in childcare settings.

As highlighted in steps 1.10, and 1.11, breastmilk or infant formula remains important for your baby’s nutrition until they reach 12 months of age. Introducing a ‘sippy’ or training cup at six months and gradually phasing out bottles by 12 months can make it easier for toddlers to feed themselves. If using a bottle, it’s important that childcare staff hold your baby while feeding, rather than ‘propping’ them up with the bottle.

Feeding breastmilk at childcare

Expressing breastmilk provides a valuable opportunity to continue breastfeeding for 12 months or beyond even after returning to work. Visit Raising Children website and watch the video for a refresher on breastfeeding, milk supply, and expressing breastmilk.

Correctly storing expressed breastmilk is essential to maintain its freshness and safety for your baby. Expressed breastmilk can last up to 4 days in the fridge If you are providing expressed breastmilk for your baby at childcare. Following are some guidelines to consider.

Guidelines

• Choose appropriate storage containers

Use breast milk storage bags or clean, food-grade containers that are made of glass or plastic with tight-fitting lids. Avoid containers that may contain BPA which is harmful. Never store breast milk in disposable bottle liners or plastic bags that are not specifically designed for storing breast milk. Using inappropriate materials can lead to contamination or spoilage.

• Labelling

Clearly label the breast milk with the date it was expressed. This helps you keep track of freshness and use-by dates.

• Storage duration
  • At room temperature: Freshly expressed or pumped milk can be stored at room temperature (25°C or cooler) for up to 4 hours.
  • In the refrigerator: Breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • In the freezer: For long-term storage, breast milk can be frozen for about 6 months, with up to 12 months being acceptable.
• Refrigerator and freezer placement

Avoid storing breast milk in the door of the refrigerator or freezer. Placing it on shelves helps protect it from temperature changes caused by frequent opening and closing of the door.

• Freezing

If you don’t anticipate using freshly expressed breast milk within 4 days, freeze it promptly to maintain its quality. When freezing breast milk:

• Store it in small amounts, typically 60ml-120ml or sufficient amounts to offer at one feeding to minimise waste
• Leave a 2cm space at the top of the container to allow for expansion as the milk freezes Frozen breast milk can be thawed either in the refrigerator and used within 24 hours, or standing the bottle in a container of lukewarm water and using it straight away. DO NOT refreeze thawed breast milk.

Visit the following websites for more information on how to express your breastmilk:

• Raising Children
• Australian Breastfeeding Association

Feeding infant formula at childcare

If using infant formula, safe preparation, storage and use is important to prevent spoilage. For a review of how to choose, prepare and provide infant formula, you can revisit Step 1.11.

Following are some guidelines to consider and discuss with your childcare provider whether you are providing prepared infant formula or your childcare provider is preparing this on-site.

Guidelines

• Preparation

Always wash hands thoroughly prior to preparing infant formula, and always closely follow the instructions on the tin.

• Storage duration
  • At room temperature: Whenever possible, prepare infant formula when it is needed. Prepared infant formula should be used within 2 hours of preparation if stored at room temperature (25°C or cooler).
  • In the refrigerator: Prepared infant formula can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, placed at the back or coldest part of the refrigerator.
  • In the freezer: Freezing prepared infant formula is NOT RECOMMENDED as this can cause components of the formula to separate.
• Disposal

Take care to dispose of unprepared infant formula powder according to the manufacturer instructions and expiration date on the tin. Any prepared infant formula left over after a feed should be thrown out and NOT frozen or reheated.

Safe transportation of breastmilk and infant formula to childcare

Consider the following when transporting breastmilk and infant formula to childcare:

• Storage: Use sterilised bottles/containers to store breastmilk or prepared infant formula. Choose smaller bottles, around 120ml, to minimise wastage and ensure freshness.
• Labelling: Before transporting breastmilk or infant formula, label all bottles/containers with your child’s name, the contents, the date it was expressed or prepared, and the date to be used. This helps childcare providers easily identify and track your infant’s milk feeds.
• Travelling: Ensure that all bottles/containers are securely sealed and placed in an insulated bag, packed with frozen “cooler bricks”, to maintain their temperature during transit. On arrival at your childcare provider, refrigerate your bottles/containers immediately.

A word about cow’s milk

Childcare providers will have cow’s milk and other milk alternatives available to children in their care but expressed breastmilk and/or infant formula are the only types of milk feedings recommended for infants under 12months.

Your task

Have you experienced any challenges with feeding breastmilk or infant formula at childcare as a parent or carer? Or do you have any unanswered questions about these topics?

Share your thoughts or questions in the comment section.