CACFP Infant Meal Pattern

Child Care Infant Meal Pattern Lunch or Supper
Birth through 3 Months	4 through 7 Months	8 through 11 Months
4-6 fluid ounces of formula¹ or breast milk^2,3	4-8 fluid ounces of formula¹ or breast milk^2,3; 0-3 tablespoons of infant cereal^1,4; and 0-3 tablespoons of fruit or vegetable or both⁴	6-8 fluid ounces of formula¹ or breast milk^2,3; 2-4 tablespoons of infant cereal¹; and/or 1-4 tablespoons of meat, fish, poultry, egg yolk, cooked dry beans or peas; or ½-2 ounces of cheese; or 1-4 ounces (volume) of cottage cheese; or 1-4 ounces (weight) of cheese food or cheese spread; and 1-4 tablespoons of fruit or vegetable or both
¹ Infant formula and dry infant cereal must be iron-fortified. ² Breastmilk or formula, or portions of both, may be served; however, it is recommended that breast milk be served in place of formula from birth through 11 months. ³ For some breastfed infants who regularly consume less than the minimum amount of breast milk per feeding, a serving of less than the minimum amount of breast milk may be offered, with additional breast milk offered if the infant is still hungry. ⁴ A serving of this component is required when the infant is developmentally ready to accept it.