How to make up a Bottle of Formula
If you are planning to bottle feed, you may be wondering how to make a bottle of formula. Even if you are planning to breastfeed this may still be worth a read. We firmly believe that preparation is key and knowledge is power.
What should I buy if I am planning to bottle feed?
-Bottles with teats
-A bottle brush
-Sterilising equipment
-Formula milk powder or ready to feed liquid formula
What infant milk should I choose?
Use Stage 1 milk. This is the only milk you will need for your baby up until they are 1 year old when they can have cow’s milk or an alternative dairy-free milk. It doesn’t matter which brand you choose as they are all very similar. Talk to your midwife or health visitor if you have any concerns.
Babies under 6 months old should only be given breastmilk or formula to drink. They do not need any other liquids including water which is not needed until they are over 6 months old. When your baby is six months old you can start using small amounts of pasteurised whole cows’ milk within food for them. When they turn one they will get more of their nutrients from food and they can then be given full fat cow’s milk as their main milk drink. There is no need for follow-on formula.
How to make up a bottle of formula
Make up feeds one at a time as the baby needs them. This is to minimise the amount of time during which bacteria can develop.
1. Fill the kettle with at least 1 litre of fresh tap water from the cold tap (don’t use water that has been boiled before). Do not use bottled or artificially softened water.
Bottled water is not sterile and may contain too much sodium or sulphate. If you must use bottled water, check on the label that the sodium (Na) level is less than 200mg/l and the sulphate (SO or SO4) level is no higher than 250mg/l.
2. Boil the water. Then leave the water to cool in the kettle for no more than 30 minutes so that it remains at a temperature of at least 70oC.
This step should ensure that the water used to reconstitute the feed is at a temperature above 70°C, which will kill most of the pathogenic micro-organisms that may be present in powdered formula.
3. Clean and disinfect the surface you are going to use. It’s really important that you wash your hands to stop bacteria spreading.
This will help avoid contamination of bottles with bacteria from tap water or unclean work surfaces or any germs that may be on your hands.
4. Ensure that all the bottle equipment you are using has been sterilised.
The infant’s immune system is not as well developed as an adults. This recommendation minimises the risk of illness and infection. If you are using a cold water steriliser, shake off any excess solution from the bottle and the teat, or rinse the bottle with cooled boiled water from the kettle (not the tap).
5. Keep the teat and cap on the upturned lid of the steriliser. Avoid putting them on the work surface.
6. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and pour the correct amount of water into the bottle first. Double check that the water level is correct.
7. Loosely fill the supplied scoop with the formula and level it off using either the flat edge of a clean, dry knife or the leveller provided. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and only put the suggested number of scoops in the bottle.
Scoop sizes differ between manufacturers and between different milk powders from the same manufacturer. Too much powder may result in constipation or dehydration.
Do not add sugar or cereals to your baby’s formula.
8. Holding the edge of the retaining ring, put it on the bottle and screw it in. Cover the teat with the cap and shake the bottle until the powder is dissolved.
9. It is really important to cool the formula so it is not too hot to drink. Cool the formula by holding the bottom half of the bottle under cold running water. Move the bottle about under the tap to ensure even cooling.
10. Test the temperature of the infant formula on the inside of your wrist before giving it to your baby. It should be body temperature, which means it should feel warm or cool, but not hot.
11. If there is any made-up infant formula left in the bottle after a feed, throw it away.
If made-up formula is stored at room temperature – use within 2 hours.
12. To reduce the risk of infection, make up feeds as your baby needs them. One at a time.
Information taken from the First Steps Nutrition Trust.
