Feeding Infants in CACFP Child Care Programs

Overview

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides nutritious meals and snacks to eligible infants. Infants enrolled for care at a participating CACFP institution or facility must be offered meals and snacks that comply with the CACFP infant meal pattern requirements [7 CFR 226.20(b)]. An institution or facility must make reasonable modifications, including substitutions for meals and snacks, for infants whose disability restricts their diet [7 CFR 226.20(g)(1)]. For guidance on meal modifications for disability reasons, visit the CSDE's Special Diets in CACFP Child Care Programs webpage.

Offering Infant Meals

The CACFP regulations define an enrolled child as “a child whose parent or guardian has submitted to an institution a signed document which indicates that the child is enrolled in child care” [7 CFR 226.2]. An institution or facility cannot avoid this obligation by stating that the infant is not “enrolled” in the CACFP, or by citing logistical or cost barriers to offering infant meals. Decisions on offering CACFP meals and snacks must be based on whether the infant is enrolled for care in a participating CACFP institution or facility, not if the infant is enrolled in the CACFP.

  • USDA Memo CACFP 06-2025: Feeding Infants and Meal Pattern Requirements in the Child and Adult Care Food Program; Questions and Answers

Feeding Practices

Following recommended infant feeding practices supports optimal growth and development by feeding babies the right foods at the right times. Infants should be fed on demand (when they show signs of being hungry) and during times that are consistent with the infant’s eating habits. Infants may experience hunger outside of typical mealtimes. Infant meals and snacks cannot be disallowed solely because they are not served within the CACFP facility’s established mealtime periods.

CACFP facilities should work closely with parents/guardians to determine what foods to serve. The texture and consistency of solid foods must be appropriate for the age and development of each infant. Infant meals and snacks cannot be disallowed solely because one food was offered one day and not the next, if that is consistent with the infant’s eating habits.