(1) An early learning provider must have and follow written policies on providing, preparing, and storing breast milk or infant formula and food.

(2) After consulting a parent or guardian, an early learning provider must implement a feeding plan for infants and toddlers that includes:

(a) A plan to support the needs of a breastfeeding mother and infant by:

(i) Providing an area for mothers to breastfeed their infants; and

(ii) Providing educational materials and resources to support breastfeeding mothers.

(b) Feeding infants and toddlers when hungry according to their nutritional and developmental needs, unless medically directed;

(c) Serving only breast milk or infant formula to an infant, unless the child's health care provider offers a written order stating otherwise; and

(d) When bottle feeding, an early learning provider must:

(i) Test the temperature of bottle contents before feeding to avoid scalding or burning the child's mouth;

(ii) Hold infants and, when developmentally appropriate, toddlers to make eye contact and talk to them;

(iii) Stop feeding the infant or toddler when they shows signs of fullness; and

(iv) Not allow infants or toddlers to be propped with bottles or given a bottle or cup when lying down.

(e) Transitioning a child to a cup only when developmentally appropriate;

(f) Introducing age-appropriate solid foods no sooner than four months of age, based on an infant's ability to sit with support, hold their head steady, close their lips over a spoon, and show signs of hunger and being full, unless identified in written food plan pursuant to WAC 110-300-0190 or written medical approval;

(g) Not adding food, medication, or sweeteners to the contents of a bottle unless a health care provider gives written consent;

(h) Not serving 100 percent juice or any sweetened beverages (for example, juice drinks, sports drinks, or tea) to infants less than 12 months old, unless a health care provider gives written consent, and helping prevent tooth decay by only offering juice to children older than 12 months from a cup;

(i) Increasing the texture of the food from strained, to mashed, to soft table foods as a child's development and skills progress between six and 12 months of age. Soft foods offered to older infants should be cut into pieces one-quarter inch or smaller to prevent choking;

(j) Allowing older infants or toddlers to self-feed soft foods from developmentally appropriate eating equipment;

(k) Placing infants or toddlers who can sit up on their own in high chairs or at an appropriate child-size table and chairs when feeding solid foods or liquids from a cup, and having an early learning provider sit with and observe each child eating. If high chairs are used, each high chair must:

(i) Have a base that is wider than the seat;

(ii) Have a safety device, used each time a child is seated, that prevents the child from climbing or sliding down the chair;

(iii) Be free of cracks and tears; and

(iv) Have a washable surface.

(l) Not leaving infants or toddlers more than 15 minutes in high chairs waiting for meal or snack time, and removing a child as soon as possible once they finish eating;

(m) Preventing infants or toddlers from sharing the same dish or utensil;

(n) Not serving any uneaten food from the serving container after the intended meal; and

(o) Not serving food to infants or toddlers using polystyrene foam (styrofoam) cups, bowls, or plates.