How to prepare infant formula safely

Preparing infant formula safely for your baby

Making infant formula milk for your baby is simple, but it is important to do it the right way to avoid bacteria and keep your baby safe and healthy. Follow these steps each time you make a bottle for your baby. 

Start clean to keep your baby safe from germs

• Clean hands: always wash your hands using soap and water, then dry them well.
• Clean the surface: always clean the surface you will be using to prepare the formula milk on.
• Clean all feeding items: wash bottles, teats, lids and the knife to level the formula scoop in hot, soapy water and then rinse before you sterilise all the equipment you need. It is recommended to sterilse all equipment until your baby is 12 months old. 

How to sterilise: 

Read more about how to sterilise baby bottles or learn how to use the boiling method by looking at pictures

You can then store the sterilised equipment in a clean container in the fridge until you are ready to use it, or for 24 hours. After each use or every 24 hours, all equipment will need to be sterilised again. 

Making formula milk

Make one bottle at a time: It is best to only make what your baby will drink right away. 

1. Boil then cool water

• Use tap water that has been boiled and then cooled down to room temperature.
• Do not boil the same water many times. It can increase the amount of salt in the water.
• Pour the right amount of boiled cooled water into the bottle first before adding the formula powder.

2. Add the formula powder

• Only use the scoop that came with the formula tin.
• Follow the formula tin instructions carefully, to see how many scoops of formula are needed for the amount of water you are using. 
• Gently tap the scoop, and then level it off with a clean knife. Do not pack it down or over fill the scoop.
• Close the formula tin tightly and keep it in a cool, dry place.

3. Do not add anything extra to the bottle 

• Do not add extra formula powder or water. This can cause your baby to have constipation or diarrhea. 
• Do not add foods such as honey, cereal, biscuits or sweet foods into the bottle.
• Do not dip bottle teats in honey (as honey can contain botulism and can make baby’s very sick). 

4. Mix the formula

• Put the lid on the bottle and shake it. Keep shaking until the powder is all dissolved.

5. Before feeding you baby

• Check the temperature: put a little formula on your wrist. It should feel warm, not hot.
• Never use a microwave to warm the bottle. It can heat the formula milk unevenly and burn your baby's mouth and throat.

6. After feeding

• Throw away any leftover formula after a feed 
• Throw away any made up formula that has been kept at room temperature for 1 hour or more. This can upset your baby’s stomach. 

Safety tips for parents

Check dates: always look at the "use by" date on the formula tin. Infant formula will last for 1 month after it has been opened.

Keep it fresh: if a formula tin has been open for more than a month, it's time to throw it away.

Follow instructions: Always follow the instructions on the formula tin exactly.

• If you use too much or too little water or formula powder, this can affect your baby’s growth.
• Bottles that have not been sterilised properly or tap water that has not been boiled, can have germs and bacteria that make your baby sick.

Remember, it is always best to be safe and follow these steps. Your baby's health comes first.