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Protect Your Baby from Cronobacter

October 23, 2024 Infant

A germ you’ve probably never heard of could be very dangerous to your baby.

Cronobacter is a common germ found in many places—the yard, kitchen, and living room, just to name a few. It can get into our homes from our shoes or hands and can spread as we touch countertops and utensils. Cronobacter can also be found in dry foods like powdered infant formula and can contaminate breast pumps and other dry surfaces.

Should You Be Concerned About Cronobacter?

Although Cronobacter infection is rare, it can be life-threatening. It’s most dangerous for babies less than 2 months old, babies born prematurely, and babies who have weakened immune systems.

Cronobacter can make babies very sick. For babies under 12 months, symptoms include:

  • Fever
  • Poor feeding
  • Excessive crying
  • Very low energy
  • Seizures
  • Grunting breaths
  • Abnormal body movements

If your baby shows any of these symptoms, take them to a doctor right away. If left untreated, Cronobacter infections can lead to dangerous problems, like:

  • Bloodstream infections (sepsis)
  • Meningitis
  • Swelling of the lining around the brain and spinal cord
  • Serious, long-term brain problems

How Can You Protect Your Baby from Cronobacter?

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Breastfeed if you can. Even if you can only breastfeed for a few months, it can help protect your baby from getting sick.

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If your baby is at high-risk, and you cannot breastfeed, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using ready-to-feed infant formula. WIC may require a prescription from your healthcare provider to allow ready-to-feed formula. Contact WIC to learn more.

Safely prepare formula and store breastmilk. No matter your baby’s age, it’s important to make food safety a priority:

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Always wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before preparing stored breast milk or formula. If water isn’t available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

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Clean and sanitize countertops and work surfaces that may touch bottles, nipples, or breast pump parts. Use a disinfecting wipe or paper towel with a cleaning solution.

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Clean and sanitize nipples, rings, bottles, and breast pump parts in the dishwasher or a clean wash basin after every feeding. Don’t wash in the kitchen sink as it can have germs. Let everything air dry and store in a clean, protected area.

When shopping for formula, make sure it will not expire soon, and is not dented or rusted. Store unopened formula in a cool place. If you use powdered formula:

  • Keep it dry by putting the top on right away after using it.
  • Have completely dry hands when scooping out formula.
  • Make sure the scoop is dry before putting it back into the container.
  • Keep the lid clean; do not put the lid face down on the counter.

Extra Steps to Take if Your Baby is at High Risk

If preparing powdered or concentrated formula, boil the water you’ll use and let it cool for 5 minutes before mixing with the formula. If there is a “do not boil” alert, or you cannot boil the water, use bottled water instead. Follow the formula label instructions for mixing. Always measure the water first, and then add the formula. Before offering to your baby, let it cool so it doesn’t burn their mouth.

Mom feeding Daughter

Sanitizing is an extra step after washing bottles, nipples, and pumps to make sure all germs are killed. Feeding items should be sanitized once daily for high-risk babies. Also sanitize the things you use to wash feeding items like the bottle brush and basin.

Wash equipment in the dishwasher with a heat dry or sanitize setting, or boil items in a covered pot of water for 5 minutes. Remove items with clean tongs and cool on a clean cloth or paper towel.

If boiling or using a dishwasher is not an option, use a diluted bleach solution. In a clean basin (only used for washing infant feeding items) mix 2 teaspoons of unscented bleach with 1 gallon of water (16 cups) or 1 teaspoon with 8 cups of water. Put all items underwater and soak for at least 2 minutes. Squeeze the solution through nipple holes. Remove with clean tongs and place on a clean, unused dish towel or paper towel in an area protected from dust and dirt. Air dry thoroughly before storing. There is no need to rinse the items or use a towel to dry.

Taking extra steps to keep things clean may take a little longer, but it’s worth it to keep your baby safe.

To learn more about Cronobacter, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/cronobacter/about/index.html

REFERENCES:

How to Clean, Sanitize and Store Infant Feeding Items Frequently Asked Questions. CDC. April 16, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/faq/index.html

Infant Formula Preparation and Storage.
https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/formula-feeding/infant-formula-preparation-and-storage.html

Protect Your Baby from Cronobacter.
https://www.cdc.gov/cronobacter/pdf/cronobacter-prevention-infographic-html.pdf

Cronobacter sakazakii
https://www.fda.gov/food/foodborne-pathogens/cronobacter-sakazakii

https://www.hhs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/documents/doing-business-with-hhs/provider-portal/wic/foods/tx-wic-formulary.pdf

Author: Bridget Swinney MS, RDN, LD

hand-expierence

HAND EXPRESSION

How it works

Use your hand to gently massage and compress your breast to remove milk.

What’s Involved

  • Requires practice, skill, and coordination.
  • Gets easier with practice and can be as fast as pumping.
  • Good if you are not often away from your baby or you need an option that is always with you. All moms should know how to hand express, in case they need to do it unexpectedly.

Average Cost

Free

Side-Lying

Side-Lying Hold

  1. For the right breast, lie on your right side with your baby facing you.
  2. Pull your baby close. Your baby’s mouth should be level with your nipple.
  3. In this position, you can cradle your baby’s back with your left arm and support yourself with your right arm and/or pillows.
  4. Keep loose clothing and bedding away from your baby.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You want to rest while baby feeds
  • You are breastfeeding in the middle of the night
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
cross-cradle

Cross-Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, use your left arm to hold your baby’s head at your right breast and baby’s body toward your left side. A pillow across your lap can help support your left arm.
  2. Gently place your left hand behind your baby’s ears and neck, with your thumb and index finger behind each ear and your palm between baby’s shoulder blades. Turn your baby’s body toward yours so your tummies are touching.
  3. Hold your breast as if you are squeezing a sandwich. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  4. As your baby’s mouth opens, push gently with your left palm on baby’s head to help them latch on. Make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is premature
  • Your baby has a weak suck
  • Your baby needs help to stay latched
  • Your baby needs extra head support
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Football

Clutch or “Football” Hold

  1. For the right breast, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side.
  2. Put your baby’s head near your right nipple and support their back and legs under your right arm.
  3. Hold the base of your baby’s head with your right palm. A pillow underneath your right arm can help support your baby’s weight.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Bring baby to you instead.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You have large breasts
  • You have flat or inverted nipples
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You are breastfeeding twins
  • Your baby likes to feed in an upright position
  • Your baby has reflux
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
CRADLE hold

Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, cradle your baby with your right arm. Your baby will be on their left side across your lap, facing you at nipple level.
  2. Your baby’s head will rest on your right forearm with your baby’s back along your inner arm and palm.
  3. Turn your baby’s tummy toward your tummy. Your left hand is free to support your breast, if needed. Pillows can help support your arm and elbow.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby needs help latching on
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
laid-back

Laid-Back Hold

  1. Lean back on a pillow with your baby’s tummy touching yours and their head at breast level. Some moms find that sitting up nearly straight works well. Others prefer to lean back and lie almost flat.
  2. You can place your baby’s cheek near your breast, or you may want to use one hand to hold your breast near your baby. It’s up to you and what you think feels best.
  3. Your baby will naturally find your nipple, latch, and begin to suckle.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is placed on your chest right after birth
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You have large breasts
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position