Media Release: Day Care Breast Milk Storage Guidelines
Center for Breastfeeding Information
La Leche League International
October 15, 1995
Dear Concerned Day Care Provider
and Parent,
La Leche League International
(LLLI) appreciates the opportunity to supply information concerning
the storage and handling of human milk in out-of-home day care settings.
This is an area of intense interest for our organization and one surrounded
by misconceptions and misinformation. LLLI is in frequent contact with
federal health agencies concerning this issue and is dedicated to providing
accurate, up-to-date information on all aspects of human milk and breastfeeding.
As of this date, human milk
is not (nor has it ever been) included in federal health agencies listings
of body fluids governed by universal precautions for bloodborne pathogens
which would mandate handling and feeding with rubber gloves or storage
in a separate refrigerator as a biohazardous material. This continues
to be the current policy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
As to specific guidelines
for daycare facilities, I refer you to the 1992 joint publication by
the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Public Health Association
(with input from the Human Milk Banking Association of North America),
CARING FOR OUR CHILDREN
National Health and Safety
Performance Standards:
Guidelines for Out-of-Home Child Care Programs
This publication recognizes,
supports, and promotes the feeding of human milk to infants in day care
and places no restrictions beyond regular handwashing and standard refrigeration
protocols. The publication thoroughly outlines procedures to prevent
the spread of infection, including universal precautions for wounds
and body fluids containing visible blood. Human milk is not included
in this discussion nor in the list of body fluids of concern.
CARING FOR OUR CHILDREN is
available from:
AAP Publications Department
141 Northwest Point Blvd
P.O. Box 927
Elk Grove Village IL 60009-0927
Phone: 800-433-9016 or 708-228-5005
FAX: 708-228-1281
LLLI urges you to consider
the following issues as you formulate policies and procedures. Breastfeeding
mothers who use child care facilities need to feel confident their infants
can continue to receive their unique milk and feel a human touch during
feeding times. Labeling human milk as a biohazardous material requiring
separate refrigeration attaches an unjustified stigma of a potentially
harmful substance in the minds of mothers and day care personnel. Such
labeling and storage requirements may also place a financial hardship
on day care centers in having to provide a separate, dedicated refrigerator.
One positive aspect of separate refrigeration for human milk is that
it is less likely to be contaminated from questionable substances in
the common refrigerator.
Mothers who are separated
from their infants face a great deal of stress under the best of circumstances.
The use, storage, and handling of their breast milk in day care settings
should not become another burden of concern for them. Breast milk is
the best nutrition and health protection for the baby, whether it is
delivered directly through nursing at mother's breast or from a bottle
by a caring child care provider.
If you have further questions,
please contact Betty Crase, Director of the Center for Breastfeeding
Information, La Leche League International.
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:32:33 UTC 2007.
