Preparation of Infant Formula Feeds and Formula Feeding Away From Home

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1 Preparation of Infant Formula Feeds and Formula Feeding Away From Home Information for parents who choose to bottle feed their baby Excellent Care with Compassion

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3 Breast milk is the best food for babies. The purpose of infant formula is to replace breast milk when a mother chooses not to breastfeed. Most infant formula is made from cow s milk that has been treated to make it suitable for babies. Cow s milk based formula is the only formula your baby needs. It is available in two forms Ready-to-feed liquid infant formula Powdered infant formula Preparation and Hygiene All the equipment used for feeding your baby needs to be sterilised. Even when tins and packets of infant formula are sealed they can sometimes contain harmful bacteria that could make your baby ill. By sterilising your feeding equipment you will reduce the chance of your baby getting sickness and diarrhoea. You will find information on the different methods of sterilising in the leaflet Sterilising your baby s feeding equipment included in your pack. How to make up feeds Empty the kettle and refill with fresh tap water, do not use water that has been previously boiled or artificially softened water. Once boiled the water should be allowed to cool for no more than half an hour or 70 degrees Celsius. Clean and disinfect the surface you are going to use. Wash your hands thoroughly and dry on a clean towel. Remove the bottle and all the equipment you need from the sterilising unit being careful not to touch the surfaces that go in the baby s mouth. If you are using a cold water steriliser shake off any excess solution from the bottle and teat or rinse the bottle with cooled boiled water from the kettle (not the tap) Stand the bottle on the clean surface and keep the teat and cap on the upturned lid of the steriliser. Avoid putting them on the work surface. You should follow the manufacturer s instructions and pour the correct amount of water into the bottle making sure the water level is 3

4 correct. Always put the water in the bottle first whilst it is still hot before adding the powdered infant formula. Scoop the appropriate amount of powder levelling each scoop. Do not press the powder down and add to the water in the bottle. Carefully hold the edge of the teat and put it on the bottle then screw the retaining ring onto the bottle. Cover the teat with the cap and shake the bottle until the powder is dissolved. A feed should be freshly made up when it is needed to reduce the risk of infection that can make your baby ill. If you have no choice and you need to store a feed it should be placed at the back of the fridge and for no longer than 24 hours. Feeding your baby It is important to cool the formula so it is not too hot to drink. Hold the bottle with the cap covering the teat under cold running water. To check the temperature of the feed by shaking a few drops onto the inside of your wrist. The milk should feel warm or cool but not hot. It is important not to add extra powder or anything else including sugar cereals or chocolate powder to the feed in the bottle. Never warm up infant formula in a microwave as this can lead to hot spots which may burn your baby s mouth. Make sure you are sitting comfortably and always hold your baby close to you and look into their eyes when feeding. To feed your baby make sure the bottle is held upright so that your baby is taking in milk and not air. Hold the baby fairly upright for feeds with their head supported so that they can breathe and swallow comfortably. Brush the teat against the baby s lips and when the baby opens their months wide, allow them to draw in the teat. A baby must never be left to feed themselves with a bottle propped up. The baby may need a rest during the feed to bring up wind, sit 4

5 the baby up on your lap and gently rub or pat their back to bring up any wind. If there is any made up infant formula left after a feed, throw away. Feeding away from home If you need to feed your baby away from home, take with you: A measured amount of infant formula in a small clean and dry container A vacuum flask of hot water that has just been boiled An empty sterilised feeding bottle with cap and retaining ring in place which can be removed when you are ready to make up the feed Make up a fresh feed only when your baby needs it. The water must still be hot when you use it, otherwise any bacteria in the infant formula may not be destroyed. Remember to cool the feed before giving it to your baby by holding the bottom half of the bottle under cold running water. Make sure the water does not touch the cap covering the teat. The vacuum flask does not need to be sterilised but should be clean and only used for your baby. The boiling water should kill any bacteria present in the flask. If the flask is full and sealed, the water will stay above 70 C for several hours. Alternatively you could use ready-to-feed liquid infant formula when you are away from home. Transporting a feed If it is not possible to follow the advice above or if you need to transport a feed, for example to a nursery or child minder, you should prepare the feed at home and cool it, for at least one hour at the back of the fridge. Take it out of the fridge just before you leave and carry it in a cool bag with an ice pack and use it within four hours, If you do not have an ice pack, or access to a fridge, the made up 5

6 infant formula must be used within two hours. If made up infant formula is stored in a fridge: use within 24 hours. If made up infant formula is stored in a cool bag with an ice pack: use within 4 hours. If made up formula is stored at room temperature: use with in 2 hours. 6

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8 Sources of further information Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is not responsible for the content of external internet sites. Please ask if you would like help in understanding this information. This information can be made available in large print and in other languages. Department: Womens Health Division: Maternity Production date: March 2014 Review date: March 2017 LTHTR/Tr/2014march/87 Excellent Care with Compassion