Formula Feeding Safety Tip #1: Never Microwave Formula
You should not heat up a baby’s bottle in a microwave, no matter what is in the bottle. Microwaves do not heat milk evenly, and may cause ‘hot spots’ to develop within the liquid. These hot spots could burn your baby’s mouth.
Formula Feeding Safety Tip #2: Never Change The Recipe
Each packet of formula clearly states on it the instructions for preparation. These instructions must be carefully followed each time you prepare formula milk. The preparation procedure varies between brands and products, so always check the instructions before making up a feed.
If you add too much water, your baby may not get enough nutrition. If you add too little water, your baby could be at risk of dehydration. You should follow the recipe exactly. The only exception to this rule, is if your doctor has told you to make up the formula in a certain way due to a medical condition.
Do not add anything to the formula milk. Baby rice, baby cereal and other solids should never be added to a baby’s bottle.
Formula Feeding Safety Tip #3: Do Not Use Mineral Water To Make Up Formula
Mineral water is a carbonated water that contains high levels of minerals that could harm your baby. Some mineral waters contain high levels of sodium, often higher than the recommended daily sodium intake for babies. Mineral water can also contain dangerously high levels of calcium for your baby’s kidneys. Only ever use cooled boiled water which kills bacteria (the World Health Organisation recommends boiled water that has been cooled to no less than 70C – and always check the temperature before giving the bottle) or still bottled water.
Formula Feeding Safety Tip #4: Don’t Store Feeds For Too Long
Bottles are at risk of contamination as soon as they have been used. Bacteria from your baby’s saliva can multiply inside the bottle. If your baby doesn’t finish a full bottle, the World Health Organisation recommends throwing the contents away after two hours.
If you carry cooled down boiled water with you when travelling, this should be discarded if unused after 24 hours.
Formula Feeding Safety Tip #5: Avoid Overfeeding Your Baby
Your baby is the best person to judge his hunger levels. If your baby stops feeding, take the bottle away. He will soon let you know if he wasn’t quite finished. Don’t expect your baby to finish a full bottle each feed.
Formula Feeding Safety Tip #6 Do Not Put Your Baby To Sleep With A Bottle
Babies left unattended with bottles are at risk of choking. If your baby falls asleep with a bottle in his mouth, the milk will continue to drip into his mouth, causing it to pool around his teeth. This can cause tooth decay. For this reason, you should avoid bottlefeeding your baby to sleep at night.
Formula Feeding Safety Tip #7 Do Not Leave Your Baby To Feed Himself
You should never prop the bottle up and leave your baby to feed himself. This method of feeding is a choking hazard.
Formula Feeding Safety Tip #8 Never Leave The Formula Warming For More Than 10 Minutes
Most bottle warmers have a built in thermostat that turns off the heat source after 10 minutes. If yours doesn’t, or if you are warming the bottle manually, you must make sure it is removed from the heat in 10 minutes. Leaving the bottle for longer than 10 minutes can allow bacteria to breed in the formula. This could give your baby diarrhoea.
Struggling With Breastfeeding?
If you’re having problems with breastfeeding:
Check out our article on low milk supply.
If you’ve stopped breastfeeding but want to try again, did you know re-lactation is possible? Read about it here.
Have you called the Australian Breastfeeding Association or La Leche League (US)?
Have you thought about hiring an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant)?
If you’re struggling with difficult feelings, it can be very beneficial to see a counsellor or psychologist who specialises in the postnatal period.
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