Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Microwave use in infant classrooms

    Posted 10-23-2019 05:27 PM
    I have a questions regarding microwave use in infant classrooms to heat or prepare infant foods. This question is referencing 5b insuring Children' Nutritional Well Being  section of NAEYC's assessment items. We recognize that it is a recommendation of best practices that microwaves not be used. Is this a policy we need to adopt or is it optional for centers? We do not microwave formula, breast milk or cow's milk.

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    Dr. Marsha Drew-Harris
    Stanford Arboretum Children Center ICRI
    Program Specialist/Assistant Director
    Stanford Ca, USA
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  • 2.  RE: Microwave use in infant classrooms

    Posted 10-24-2019 12:05 PM
    All milk products are warmed up in a crock pot style warmer.
    We use microwave only to heat up cereals such as oatmeal or other such foods for the babies.

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    Susan Smith
    Director
    Heart and Hands Montessori
    Lafayette CO
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  • 3.  RE: Microwave use in infant classrooms

    Posted 10-24-2019 03:46 PM
    Hello,

    We also warm mother's milk bottles in a warmer, we use microwave to warm water to prepare formula. Foods like veg. puree or oatmeal or porridge (we make fresh every day - two lentils/brown rice/quinoa/three grated veggies) is served at room temperature.

    Microwaving mother's milk destroys the anti bacterial agents in milk but microwaving veggies with minimum water (with a lid on top) preserves vitamins better than boiling or frying!! 

    Thanks,

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    Jagruti Patel
    Owner/Provider
    Patel Family Child Care
    Redlands CA
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  • 4.  RE: Microwave use in infant classrooms

    Posted 10-25-2019 09:56 AM
    "Microwaving mother's milk destroys the anti bacterial agents..."

    I'd be interested to read a peer-reviewed source for this information.  Could you provide one?


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    Audra Detillier
    Director
    Celebration Christian Daycare
    Metairie LA
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  • 5.  RE: Microwave use in infant classrooms

    Posted 10-28-2019 10:55 AM
    Here are links to La Leche League and the CDC, both research-based and reliable.

    https://www.llli.org/breastfeeding-info/heating-human-milk/

    https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/recommendations/handling_breastmilk.htm

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    Holly Dalferes
    Director
    George Cottage at St Martin's Episcopal School
    Metairie LA
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  • 6.  RE: Microwave use in infant classrooms

    Posted 10-29-2019 05:07 PM
    Thanks for sending, Holly!  And hello from the other side of Metairie!  :)

    I was hoping to see a reference to a study on the subject.  Usually, even the CDC will site their sources when making a claim like that, but in this situation, they don't.  Of course we use warmers for our infants here.  I'm just a curious nursing mom myself.  I've always heard people say that microwaving breast milk is bad (changing the composition of it), but I've never seen empirical evidence confirming such.  Always better to err on the side of caution, I suppose.

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    Audra Detillier
    Director
    Celebration Christian Daycare
    Metairie LA
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