Q: When an infant is transitioning from breast milk to formula, it is common to provide the infant with both foods, to gradually ease the infant into consuming formula in place of breast milk. During this transition period, when an infant is receiving both breast milk and formula, is the meal reimbursable?

A: Yes. From birth through 7 months, any one meal which contains some quantity of breast milk is reimbursable. (Similarly, meals containing only infant formula provided by the provider are also reimbursable). However, meals, containing only parent-provided formula, and no other meal components, may not be reimbursed.

Q: If the mother comes into the day care home where her child is in care and breastfeeds her infant, is the meal reimbursable?

A: No. While we support all efforts for mothers to breastfeed their infants, it is our intention that the provider must provide some type of "service" in order to be reimbursed for a meal. The interim rule authorizes meals as reimbursable if the provider bottle feeds an infant breast milk that has been previously expressed by the mother, as it takes effort to prepare the bottle and feed the baby.

Q: Is the meal reimbursable if a provider breastfeeds her own infant?

A: Yes, as long as the infant is otherwise eligible to receive reimbursement (i.e., the provider is income eligible).

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, January 7, 2000