Formula Preparation Guidelines

Preparing Formula Safely

• Wash hands
• Have plenty of bottles and nipples and a bottle brush to clean all of the bottle parts
• Be sure that the bottles and nipples are washed and rinsed well. Wash new bottles and nipples before you use them the first time in hot, soapy water or on the top rack of a dishwasher
• Check the expiration date on the formula can
• Before opening the formula, wash the top of the container with hot soapy water and rinse well to remove germs from the lid

Liquid Formula

• Always read the label carefully to see if the formula is ready-to-feed or concentrated
• Do not add water to ready-to-feed formula
• Concentrated formula should be mixed with exact amount of water. Follow the directions on the can
• It can be very dangerous for your baby if you do not mix the formula correctly
• Mixed formula can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours

Powdered Formula

• Heat water to a rolling boil for at least one minute. Let cool to a warm temperature
• Always mix powdered formula with the warm water as directed on the can
• Once the formula is mixed, let it cool before feeding
• Refrigerate it if you are not going to use it right away
• It is best to mix one bottle at a time to lower the risk of contamination with germs

Feeding with a Bottle

• Before feeding your baby, make sure the formula is not too warm. Let a little formula drip onto your wrist—it should feel warm but not hot. If it feels hot, allow it to cool before feeding it to your baby
• Never microwave formula because it could get hot enough to burn your baby’s mouth. If you want to warm the formula, place the filled bottle in warm tap water for about 15 minutes
• Tilt the bottle upside down to check the nipple hole. Normally, formula should drip easily from a tilted bottle
• Never prop the bottle or leave your baby alone for a feeding. This could cause your baby to choke
• If your baby does not finish the whole bottle in one hour from when the feeding started, throw away the remaining formula
• Burp your baby after each feeding. Some babies may need to be burped part way through the feeding, as well

Amount of Formula

• Newborn infants will eat six to eight times in a 24-hour period
• In the first day, your baby will eat about 1-1.4 teaspoons (5-7 cc) at each feeding
• By day two and three, feedings will slowly increase to about .75-1 ounce (22-27 cc)
• Feeding amounts will gradually increase and feedings may be less often as the baby gets older
• By three to four weeks of age, most babies will eat 3-4 ounces at each feeding