It is important to remember that powdered infant formula milk is not a sterile product. Correct preparation and handling is therefore vital to reduce the risk of serious illness in babies. Each feed should be made up as it is required. Storing pre-made infant formula milk may increase the chance of a baby becoming ill and should be avoided.
Clear instructions can be found on all infant formula milks, so why not take time to familiarise yourself with the steps that need to be followed? Key points for standard milks include:
N.B. The required water temperature for some specialist milks will vary – always check the pack first.
Artificially softened, filtered and repeatedly boiled water should not be used to make feeds, as mineral levels may be too high
N.B. Ordinary tap water is best. Artificially softened, filtered and repeatedly boiled water should not be used to make feeds, as mineral levels may be too high. When using still, bottled water, the sodium level needs to be less than 200mg per litre and the fluoride level less than 1.5mg per litre. Additional water or formula powder should not be added to make a baby’s feed stronger or weaker unless advised to do so by a healthcare professional. Food should never be added to a baby’s bottle.
Parents will need the following equipment, whether they are bottle feeding with infant formula or expressed breast milk:
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