Breastfeeding & Infant Formula

Transcription

1 1 Breastfeeding & Infant Formula Purpose Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended, with positive support, for babies up to six months. Continued breastfeeding is recommended for at least 12 months and longer if the mother and baby wish. If an infant is not breastfeed, is partially breastfed, or if breastfeeding is discontinued, using an infant formula until twelve months of age is a safe alternative. Objective To provide a policy which supports families in breastfeeding or providing infant formula for their baby in line with the Australian Government Department of Health & Aging, Healthy Eating & Physical Activity Guidelines for Early Childhood. Scope of Policy This policy applies to educators in charge, and all children and families using John Street. Policy Statement Breastfeeding is the first food experience for babies. Many breastfeeding mothers use John Street to educate and care for their breastfed babies. John Street actively encourages breastfeeding, and mothers are welcome to visit during the day to feed their child. There are comfortable couches and chairs located throughout John Street for this purpose. Alternatively, expressing breast milk allows a mother and baby to continue breastfeeding. Infant formula is the only safe alternative to breast milk in the first 12 months. Infant formula is not provided by John Street; families must provide sufficient, clearly labelled bottles for their child daily. Both expressed breast milk and infant formula must be clearly labelled and placed in the fridge in the Jungle Room upon arrival at John Street. Labelling is essential on all parts of the bottle as often replacement pieces are unavailable.

2 2 Educators returning to work at John Street after having a baby will be supported to continue to breastfeed. The Board will encourage them to speak positively about breastfeeding, and if they are happy to, share their experiences with other families. Procedures During enrolment, the Director will discuss with families their preferred strategy regarding feeding their baby through breastfeeding or infant formula before the baby starts attending. If the mother is breastfeeding, the Director will inform the family of the breastfeeding friendly strategies John Street has in place to support breastfeeding including. Using expressed breast milk; and Arranging for the mother to attend John Street to breastfeed at agreed times. The Director and educators who educate and care for young children will encourage families to transport the expressed breast milk and infant formula to John Street in a cold, insulated container e.g. an Esky with a freezer brick. The educators who educate and care for children who are on infant formula will only accept made up bottles of infant formula provided by the family. Educators will immediately place any expressed breast milk or infant formula in the refrigerator in the Jungle room, making sure that it is clearly labelled with the baby's name and in the case of expressed breast milk, the date on which it was expressed. Under no circumstance is expressed breast milk or infant formula to be left in a child s bag. The Director and educators working with the child will collaboratively develop an agreed plan in case there is a problem with the baby feeding in, such as if the supply of expressed breast milk or infant formula runs out. Educators at John Street will maintain safe breast milk handling practices at all times. Infant formula will be prepared as close as possible to feeding time. Babies will be allowed to decide the amount of milk/formula they wish to drink, and will never be urged to finish a bottle. After use, all bottles and teats will be rinsed in cold water and sent home with the family to be washed and sterilised. Warming expressed breast milk and infant formula Infant formula and Breast milk will NEVER be microwaved at John Street. It destroys the immunological properties in the breast milk and is heated unevenly. Breast milk should be warmed by standing the bottle in warm water. Before giving the child a drink from the bottle:

3 3 put the teat/bottle top back on, and gently shake the bottle at least ten times; and make sure the breast milk is cool to touch - test by placing several drops on the back of the hand or inside wrist. Responsibility The Director is responsible for sharing this policy with families upon enrolment, and ensuring the workplace is supportive for educators who are breastfeeding and returning to work. Educators are responsible for ensuring that communication with families is effective in maintaining their child s nutritional requirements, and for implementing safe storage and preparation procedures. Families are responsible for providing infant formula or expressed breast milk for their child on a daily basis. General Information Additional breastfeeding information is available from the Australian Breastfeeding Association, either online at or from the breastfeeding helpline, 1800 MUM 2 MUM ( ) Legislative Provisions Under the Equal Opportunity Act (1995), it is against the law to discriminate against someone because of breastfeeding. Sources Australian Government Department of Health & Aging (2011) Get up & grow; healthy eating and physical activity for early childhood Director/Coordinator Book accessed from National Health & Medical Research Council, 2003 accessed from Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents in Australia Infant Feeding Guidelines for Health Workers Related John Street Policies, Procedures and Guidelines Policies Enrolment, Orientation & Custody Arrangements; Nutrition, Food & Beverages, Dietary

4 4 Appendices Requirements & Food Allergies; Children s Personal Items from Home; Interactions with Children; Delivery & Collection of Children; Rest & Sleep; Communication with Families; Equal Opportunity Employment 7 Protection Against Discrimination; Dealing with Medical Conditions & Medication; Dealing with Complaints; Orientation Checklist; Special Health Needs Support Plan Authorisation & Review The Board, through the Centre Director will ensure the way in which breastfeeding is encouraged and supported, and a family s choice to nourish their baby with infant formula, is non-discriminatory and meets health and safety standards and recommendations. The review and development of policies and procedures will be completed by the Grants and Policy sub-committee of the Board, in collaboration with John Street's Director. Drafts will be circulated to seek input from staff and feedback from families, before final approval from the Board. In accordance with R. 172 of the Education and Care Services National Regulations, John Street will ensure that families of children enrolled at John Street are notified at least 14 days before making any change to a policy or procedure that may have significant impact on: John Street s provision of education and care to any child enrolled at the service; a family s ability to utilise the service; or the fees charged or the way in which fees are collected. To ensure that John Street is compliant, and maintains collaborative approaches with the community, John Street will notify all families of children enrolled at least 14 days before making ANY policy change, unless this time period would pose risk to the safety, health or wellbeing of any child enrolled in the service, in which case John Street will act to adjust any policies and/or procedures to ensure the safety, health and wellbeing of all children at the service, and will notify families as soon as practicable after making the necessary change(s). The Board authorises this policy and welcomes the opportunity to discuss any aspect with stakeholders. We appreciate your support while we strive to provide a quality education and care service for children and families in our community. Date approved: Signed: Date Reviewed Details of Change Date of next Review July 2008 July 2010 June 2012 Redevelopment to include transport, storage and warming of breast-milk and infant formula and supporting educators in continuing breast feeding while returning to December 2013

5 5 work. December 2014