Are you measuring your baby’s infant formula correctly?
Preparing a bottle of formula could sound like a piece of cake, but for a new mom even the basics could be confusing sometimes.
You’ve chosen your baby’s infant formula with care — but are you preparing it properly? Follow these steps to ensure proper nutrition and avoid food-related illness.
1. KEEP YOUR HANDS CLEAN
Before preparing formula, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Dry your hands well.
2. PREPARE YOUR BOTTLE
Sterilize bottles, nipples, caps and rings before using them for the first time. You can boil the bottle and accessories in water for five minutes, use a microwave steam sterilizer bag or use a stand-alone electric steam sterilizer.
3. ADD WATER TO LIQUID-CONCENTRATE OR POWDERED FORMULA
If you’re using liquid-concentrate or powdered formula, you’ll need to add water. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how much water to use.
4. MEASURE THE FORMULA
For ready-to-use formula:
Shake the formula well.
Pour enough formula for one feeding into a clean bottle.
Use only formula — don’t add water or any other liquid.
Attach the nipple and cap.
For liquid-concentrate formula:
Shake the concentrated liquid before mixing it with water.
Pour the amount of formula for one serving into the bottle, which already contains the appropriate amount of water.
Attach the nipple and cap and shake well.
For powdered formula:
Determine the amount of formula you want to prepare, following instructions on the package.
Use a measuring cup to measure the amount of water needed and add the water to the bottle.
Use the scoop that came with the formula container. Fill the scoop with powdered formula. Add the number of scoops needed.
Pour the scoop or scoops into the bottle.
Attach the nipple and cap and shake well.
5. CHECK THE TEMPERATURE
Before giving the formula to your baby, drop a few drops of formula you mixed on your wrist to check the temperature. Formula should be about room temperature. If it’s too hot, you don’t want to burn your baby’s mouth so you should leave it to cool for a few minutes.
6. STORE FORMULA SAFELY
Formula that’s been left at room temperature for more than an hour should be thrown away, to prevent bacterial growth. Also, if your baby has eaten the formula partially, don’t store it in the refrigerator for longer than an hour. If the prepared formula hasn’t been consumed by your baby, it can up stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.