Safe Preparation, Storage and Handling of Powdered Infant Formula

Always wash hands before preparing formula and ensure that the formula is prepared in a clean area.
Wash bottles, teats and caps, and knife. Sterilise by boiling for five minutes or using an approved sterilising agent.
Boil fresh water and allow it to cool until lukewarm.
Ideally prepare only one bottle of formula at a time, just prior to feeding.
Always read the instructions to check the correct amount of water and powder as shown on the feeding table on the back of the pack. This may vary between different formulas.
Add water to the bottle first, then powder
Pour the correct amount of previously boiled water into a sterilised bottle.
Fill the measuring scoop with formula powder and level off, using the levelling devise provided or the back of a sterilised knife. Take care to add the correct number of scoops to the water in the bottle. Always measure the amount of powder using the scoop provided in the can – scoop sizes vary between different formulas.
Place the teat and cap on the bottle and shake it until the powder dissolves.
Test the temperature of the milk with a few drops on the inside of your wrist. It should feel just warm, but cool is better than too hot.
Feed baby. Any formula left at the end of the feed must be discarded.
A feed should take no longer than one hour. Any formula that has been at room temperature for longer than one hour should be discarded.

Preparing feeds in advance:

Ideally prepare only one bottle at a time. If you do need to prepare formula in advance (for example for a babysitter) it must be refrigerated (at 4˚C or below) and used within 24 hours. Alternatively, refrigerate prepared sterilised bottles of boiled water and use as required, first warming by standing bottle in a container of warm water and then adding formula.
If using refrigerated prepared formula, before feeding baby, warm by standing bottle in a container of warm water. Using the microwave to heat infant formula is not recommended as heating can occur unevenly and burn the baby’s mouth.

Preparing formula correctly will ensure that baby gets the right amount of nutrients.