Basic Food Safety
Safe Handling of Breast Milk
Advice for Parents
Because babies are especially susceptible to bacteria, we want to help you keep your baby safe. Keep these guidelines in mind when preparing breast milk for your child to use while in child care.
Guidelines
- Store breast milk in sterilized bottles.
- Label each container with the name of the child, date, and time milk was pumped.
- Refrigerate promptly and use within two days, or freeze and use within two weeks.
Safe Handling of Baby Food
Serve food to the baby from a dish instead of from the jar or can. Throw away any food left in the dish. Why? Bacteria from the baby’s mouth contaminate the food, where they can grow and multiply before the food is served again. Too many bacteria can make the baby sick.
Special Notes
- Check "Use by" dates on baby foods. If the date has passed, throw it out.
- Check the lids of unopened baby food jars. The safety buttons should be down. If a jar lid doesn’t "pop" when opened or is not sealed completely, don’t use the food.
- Don’t heat baby foods in the microwave. Foods heat unevenly and can produce "hot spots" that can scald baby’s mouth and throat.
View the short video clip about handling baby food.
Breast Milk and Formula Storage
| Open or freshly made | Refrigerator | Freezer |
| Strained fruits or vegetables | 2-3 days | 6-8 months |
| Strained meats or eggs | 1 day | 1-2 months |
| Meat vegetable combination | 1-2 days | 1-2 months |
