Formula preparation and hygiene of utensils
Preparing water for formula
- When preparing formula for your baby, the first step is to always wash your hands with soap and water. It is also important that the work surface you use is clean.
- Boil fresh water on the stove or in the kettle. Allow it to cool for about 30 minutes at room temperature.
- You can pour cooled boiled water into sterile bottles and keep it in the refrigerator until you need it. The bottles must be tightly closed, with a ring and a suitable lid.
Preparing formula
- Read the preparation instructions on the formula packaging; check that it has not expired.
- Pour the required amount of boiled, warm but not hot water into the bottle.
- Using the measuring cup from the formula pack, add the required number of scoops according to the amount of water. It is important to precisely measure the amount of powder (fill the measuring cup to the top, level the upper surface with a plastic spatula); the milk prepared in this way will contain all the ingredients in the foreseen quantity stated on the label. Do not dilute or thicken the formula on your own.
- Close the bottle tightly with a ring and cap.
- Shake the bottle or tap its bottom gently on the table to make the powder fall to the bottom; then shake the bottle vigorously to dissolve the powder.
- Remove the cap and replace it with a nipple.
- Before you start feeding your baby, check the temperature by dripping a few drops on the inside of your wrist. The milk should be lukewarm, never hot.
If your baby does not finish the bottle, discard the remaining milk immediately after the meal, or at the latest after an hour. Do not keep the remaining milk for later or for the next meal, because bacteria start to grow quickly in the used bottle. Do not add formula to the used bottle. Prepare each meal separately.
Can formula be prepared in advance?
It is best to prepare formula immediately before feeding the baby. If you need to prepare the formula in advance, cool it and put it in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed bottle no later than one hour after preparation; use it within 24 hours. Keep the bottle in the back of the refrigerator, where the temperature is lower and constant, not in the door. If you are traveling or planning a longer stay out of home, the safest way is to take boiled water and powdered formula in separate containers. If you plan to bring already prepared formula, prepare it in advance, cool it in the refrigerator and carry it in a cooler bag with ice packs. You can return the formula prepared and stored in this way to the refrigerator if no more than two hours have passed; be sure to use it within 24 hours.
Heating and cooling the milk formula
The safest way to heat formula is to immerse the bottle in a bowl of hot water. Special bottle heaters can be used if their thermostat is in order. Do not keep the bottle in the heater for more than 10 minutes, to avoid bacteria growth in your milk or formula. After heating, gently shake the bottle to equalize milk temperature and check on your wrist. If you accidentally overheat the milk, cool it under a stream of cold water.
Do not return heated milk to the refrigerator for later use. Do not heat milk in the microwave; it will heat up unevenly and may burn the baby's mouth!
Hygiene of utensils
- To prevent your baby's infections, take care of the hygiene of feeding utensils. Wash utensils with warm water and detergent after each feeding. Use a bottle brush; hold the nipple under running water to clean the narrow opening. Discard damaged nipples immediately.
- The next step is sterilization. If you sterilize utensils with hot water, it should boil on the stove for 5 minutes; then wait for it to cool completely, take it out and dry it. You can also use a steam sterilizer. Do not put utensils in the microwave to sterilize them; it will be damaged or melt.
- Store sterilized utensils in a clean, closed container and use within 24 hours.
- Sterilization of feeding utensils is required until the age of 12 months.
