(a) Responding to needs. The caregiver holds, cuddles, talks to, and sings to infants and toddlers and understands and responds to their particular needs.
(b) Daily routine. The daily routine is adapted to the individual needs of each infant and toddler and fits as much as possible into the schedule set up by the parent.
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(1) The daily schedule is accessible and followed with reasonable regularity.
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(2) Children are not left for more than 30 minutes while awake in playpens, swings, high chairs, or stationary activity centers.
(c) Bottle-feeding. Bottles are not propped by any means at any time.
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(1) Infants up to the age of six months are held while bottle-fed.
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(2) Infants of more than six months are held while bottle-fed until they are able to hold their own bottle securely.
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(3) Children are not given bottles in cribs or moving swings due to increased risk of choking, ear infections, and tooth decay.
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(4) Breast milk is refrigerated or frozen until immediately before feeding.
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(5) Bottles of premixed formula are refrigerated until immediately before feeding.
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(6) Unused breast milk or formula left in the bottle is disposed of after feeding.
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(7) Bottles of formula or breast milk are not warmed in a microwave oven.
(d) Diaper-changing. Diapers are changed promptly when wet or soiled.
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(1) A clean nonporous surface or pad is used for diaper changes and sanitized after each use. Care is taken to prevent spread of germs.
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(2) Caregivers wash their hands thoroughly with soap and warm running water after each diaper change.
(e) Availability and disposal of diapers.
(f) Toilet learning. Toilet learning is a relaxed, pleasant activity.
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(1) The caregiver shares the child's toilet learning progress with the parent.
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(2) Training pants or underwear are changed promptly when wet or soiled.
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(3) Fecal content may be disposed of in a toilet, but soiled diapers or training pants are not rinsed in the toilet.
(g) Potty chairs. Potty chairs are emptied and sanitized after each use.