Making up formula safely

Before you start

Wash and sterilise bottles, teats and other equipment before each feed. Do this until she is at least 12 months old. Her body is not yet as good at fighting germs as yours.

Even a sealed tin of powder can contain germs. Water at 70C or hotter kills them. This is why the water needs to be hot when you add the powder.

Step by step

• Fill the kettle with at least 1 litre of fresh tap water. Do not use water that has been boiled before, or artificially softened water.
• Boil the water. Leave it to cool for no more than 30 minutes, so it stays at 70C or hotter.
• Clean the surface you will use. Wash your hands.
• Pour the hot water into the bottle first. Use the amount the tin says.
• Loosely fill the scoop that came with the formula. Level it with a clean, dry knife.
• Add the number of scoops the tin says.
• Fit the teat and ring tightly. Cover the teat and shake until the powder dissolves.
• Cool the bottle, lid on, under cold running water.
• Test a few drops on the inside of your wrist. It should feel warm or cool, not hot.

What not to do

• Do not add extra powder. It can make her constipated or dehydrated.
• Do not add extra water. She may not get enough nourishment.
• Do not add sugar or cereal to the bottle.
• Never warm a bottle in a microwave. It heats unevenly and can burn her mouth.
• Do not use bottled water unless tap water is unsafe or not available.
• Throw away any formula left after a feed.

When you are out

Take a measured amount of powder in a small, clean, dry container. Take a flask of just-boiled water and an empty sterilised bottle. Make the feed when she needs it. A carton of ready-to-feed formula is another option.

If you must make a feed in advance, do it only once in a while. Cool it quickly and keep it in the fridge. Use it within 24 hours from the fridge, 4 hours in a cool bag with an ice pack, or 2 hours at room temperature.