BOTTLE SAFETY AND PREPARATION POLICY
As young children (particularly those under 12 months) are still developing their immune system; they are more susceptible to food borne illnesses and infection. This therefore makes it imperative that education and care services implement and maintain the highest level of hygiene practices. Our Service will ensure that safe practices are consistently maintained for handling, storing, preparing and heating breast milk and formula, and sterilising bottles and teats.
NATIONAL QUALITY STANDARD (NQS)
| QUALITY AREA 2: CHILDREN’S HEALTH AND SAFETY | ||
| 2.1 | Health | Each child’s health and physical activity is supported and promoted |
| 2.1.2 | Health practices and procedures | Effective illness and injury management and hygiene practices are promoted and implemented. |
| 2.1.3 | Healthy Lifestyles | Healthy eating and physical activity are promoted and appropriate for each child. |
| 2.2 | Safety | Each child is protected. |
| 2.2.1 | Supervision | At all times, reasonable precautions and adequate supervision ensure children are protected from harm and hazard. |
| EDUCATION AND CARE SERVICES NATIONAL REGULATIONS | |
| 77 | Health, hygiene and safe food practices |
| 78 | Food and beverages |
| 168 | Education and care services must have policies and procedures |
| 170 | Policies and Procedures to be followed |
| 171 | Policies and procedures to be kept available |
| 172 | Notification of change to policies or procedures |
RELATED POLICIES
| Breastfeeding Policy Health and Safety Policy | Nutrition and Food Safety Policy Work, Health and Safety Policy |
PURPOSE
SCOPE
This policy applies to educators, families,staff, management, Approved Provider, Nominated Supervisor, students, volunteersand visitors of the Service.
IMPLEMENTATION
During their first year of life, babies are at their most vulnerable to viruses, bacteria, and parasitic infections, due to their immune system not yet being fully developed. Unsafe or careless food handling practices can therefore lead to anything from a mild attack of thrush to a more serious condition of gastroenteritis, all of which are similar to food poisoning and can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, and subsequent dehydration.
To ensure that bottles are consistently prepared in a safe and hygienic manner educators will adhere to Service procedures at all times.
THE APPROVED PROVIDER/ NOMINATED SUPERVISOR/MANAGEMENT WILL ENSURE:
- that the Nominated Supervisor and educators are aware of and adhere tothe procedures for sterilising bottles and teats, and preparing, heatingand storing bottles of formula and breast milk
- procedures for the safe sterilisation of bottles and teats are strictly adhered to
- procedures for the safe storage and heating of food provided in bottles are strictly adhered to
- infants over 6 months of age are given small amounts of cooled boiled water in addition to breastmilk or formula as required
- infants are given only breast milk, formula, or cooled boiled water: They are not given fruit juice in their bottle due to the increase risk of tooth decay
- ensure families are familiar with their responsibilities in accordance with this policy.
EDUCATORS WILL:
- implement safe food handling practices
- wash hands thoroughly and wear gloves when preparing bottles
- store all bottles in an appropriate area for food preparation that complies with the food safety standards for kitchens and food preparation areas
- adhere to the procedure for the safe storage and heating of food provided in bottles
- provide infants over 6 months of age with small amounts of cooled boiled water in addition to breastmilk or formula
- not give infants fruit juice in their bottle due to risk of tooth decay
- adhere to each child’s feeding routine
- ensure families are familiar with their responsibilities in accordance with this policy
- document the amount of milk each infant consumed including the time of feeds
- communicate regularly with families about infant and children’s feeding patterns and routines
FAMILIES WILL:
- be informed during orientation that children’s bottles must be clearly labelled with the child’s name
- label bottles containing breast milk or formula with the date of preparation or date of expression
- attempt to bring enough sterilised bottles each day to meet their child’s requirements
- supply breast milk in multiple small quantities to prevent wastage
- keep formula powder at the service so that the formula can be prepared as required.(Formula must be in its original tin and must be clearly labelled with the child’s name.)
- provide a labelled bottle(s) for use at the service for children having regular cow’s milk in their bottles
- be encouraged to communicate regularly with educators about children’s bottle and feeding requirements
- not put fruit juice in children’s bottles.
STERILISING BOTTLES, TEATS, AND DUMMIES
After sterilising any item for infants, it is important to remember not to touch any part that will go into the baby’s mouth with your hands. Generally, all sterilising systems come with tongs for this purpose, which must also be sterilised with the items.
Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions that come with the sterilising system and ensure that the recommended sterilising times are strictly adhered to.
Prior to using any sterilising system or device or removing items from a steriliser staff will wash their hands.
This is the single most effective way of preventing the spread of infection.
STEAM STERILISING
Electric steam sterilising is based on hospital methods and is quick and efficient, taking eight to twelve minutes plus cooling time. Care must be taken that only equipment that is safe to boil is sterilised in this manner. For example, some parts of breast pumps cannot be boiled. Bottles, teats and other items must be placed upside down and must have sufficient room (not touching any other item) to ensure they are fully sterilised.
Microwave steamers take around five to eight minutes to work, plus cooling time. Note that metal utensils cannot be used in microwaves. Where possible leave the lid on the steriliser until it has cooled sufficiently to prevent steam burns. If using a microwave for sterilising, ensure that a purpose designed sterilisation container is being used.
BOILING
Most bottle-feeding equipment must be boiled for at least 10 minutes. Ensure the pot you use is large enough for all bottles to be completely submerged and use the pot exclusively for sterilising. Be aware that teats that are frequently boiled become sticky and may need to be replaced more frequently than if using other sterilisation methods.
CHEMICAL STERILISING
Chemical sterilisation is achieved using cold water and a non-toxic liquid or tablet that is added to cold water to create a sterilising solution that is highly effective in killing bacteria. It is extremely safe to use and can be applied to the skin or even swallowed with no harmful effects. Educators need to check that there are no air bubbles left in the bottles to ensure complete sterilisation.
Always read the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure the solution is mixed correctly and items are left in
the solution for the required amount of time: Generally,they are sterile after half an hour and can be
safely left in the solution for up to 24 hours. The solution must be changed daily.
Avoid leaving sterilised empty bottles out on work surfaces as they will quickly lose their sterility. Ideally, sterilisers have built-in storage facilities and bottles can be removed when required.
Note: Dishwashers can be used to clean bottles and equipment, but these items must still be sterilised – the dishwasher does not sterilise.
STORING STERILISED BOTTLES
If not using sterilised bottles immediately, care needs to be taken to store them correctly to avoid them coming into contact with bacteria.
PREPARING FORMULA
Before preparing formula
- °C is the best temperature to prepare formula as it will dissolve easily).
When preparing infant formula always closely follow the instructions on the tin. In general:
Heating bottles
STORING BREASTMILK AND FORMULA
For safe storage of formula and breast milk, refrigerators must be kept at 5°C or below and should have a non-mercury thermometer to monitor the temperature.
BREAST MILK CAN BE STORED IN SEVERAL WAYS, WHICH INCLUDE:
FROZEN BREAST MILK CAN BE THAWED:
Staying healthy: Preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care services- 5th Edition
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT/REFLECTION
The Bottle Safety Preparation Policy will be reviewed on an annual basis in conjunction with children, families, staff, educators and management.
SOURCE
Australian Breastfeeding Association www.breastfeeding.asn.au
Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority. (2014).
Australian Government Department of Health. Get Up & Grow: Healthy Eating and Physical Activity for Early Childhood.
Australian Government National Health and Medical Research Council. (2013). Eat for health: Infant feeding guidelines: Information for health workers. https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/the_guidelines/n56b_infant_feeding_summary_130808.pdf
ECA Code of Ethics. (2016).
Education and Care National Regulations. (2011).
Guide to the National Quality Framework. (2017). (Amended 2020).
National Health and Medical Research Council. (2013). Staying healthy: Preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care services.
NSW Ministry of Health. (2014). Caring for children birth to 5 years: Food, nutrition and learning experiences. https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/heal/Publications/caring-for-children-manual.pdf
Safe Food and Health Service Executive. (2013). How to prepare your baby’s bottle.
Western Australian Education and Care Services National Regulations
REVIEW
| POLICY REVIEWED | FEBRUARY 2023 | NEXT REVIEW DATE | FEBRUARY 2024 | |
| VERSION NUMBER | V9.02.23 | |||
| MODIFICATIONS | annual policy maintenanceno major edits to policyremoved procedures from this document (separate procedures available on Desktop)continuous improvement/reflection section added link to Western Australian Education and Care Services National Regulations added in ‘Sources’Sources checked for currency | |||
| POLICY REVIEWED | PREVIOUS MODIFICATIONS | NEXT REVIEW DATE | ||
| FEBRUARY 2022 | Minor editsAdditional regulations addedSources checked | FEBRUARY 2023 | ||
| FEBRUARY 2021 | policy reviewed minor editssources checked for currency | FEBRUARY 2022 | ||
| FEBRUARY 2020 | Add section: Heating bottlesAdded section on record keeping for parentssources checked for currencyAdded references | FEBRUARY 2021 | ||