Prepare, handle and store your baby’s formula safely
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EmailThere are many opportunities for germs to cause illness when preparing baby's bottle. Here are some ways to ensure a healthy baby.
As new parents we want to do the best we can to assure the health of our baby. This includes preparing and handling our baby’s food. Here are some easy steps to ensure health.
Wash your hands.
The very first step to assuring
your baby’s food is safe is to wash your own hands. Washing your hands before
you prepare your baby’s food is a key activity to preventing the spread of
germs and bacteria you may have been in contact with. A baby’s immune system is
not fully developed, thus they are at high risk of contracting foodborne
illnesses and other sicknesses. Also, remember to prepare your baby’s food and
bottles on clean surfaces.
Follow package directions.
When preparing your baby’s formula,
always follow the package’s directions for reconstituting the formula. Adding
too little formula will not give your baby the proper amount of nutrients for
their growth and development. Water should not be added to ready to eat
formulas. Be sure to ask your pediatrician if you should boil your water before
using it for the formula. Your local water quality will determine if you should
first boil the water or if you should purchase water for the formula.
Clean all bottles and parts.
Always clean the bottle and nipple
before each use. You can either wash them in hot soapy water or place them in a
dishwasher.
Warm the breastmilk or formula
properly.
Once you have properly cleaned and
prepared your baby’s bottle and formula, many parents like to warm the formula
before they feed it to their infant. To do this safely, place the bottle in a
pan of hot water or into a bottle warmer. Never warm the baby’s formula or
breastmilk in the microwave. The microwave heats unevenly and may leave hot
spots which could scald the baby. The microwave can also create the leaching of
chemicals from the bottle or liners into the formula if you are using a plastic
bottle or latex nipple.
Feed your little one.
Once the formula is made it is
important to immediately feed it to your baby or store it in the refrigerator. Formula
and breastmilk should not be left out on the counter. Any leftovers should be
discarded within one hour. Naturally occurring bacteria from our baby’s mouth
will multiply in the nutrient rich formula or breastmilk. If not discarded, these
bacteria can lead to a foodborne illness in your infant.
Provide a bottle only when it is
time to eat.
The practice of putting a baby to
bed with a bottle can lead to baby-bottle tooth decay which is painful and
difficult to treat. It can also cause problems for the permanent teeth. Do not allow
your baby carry their bottles around with them. This can lead to drinking too
much and sharing with other young children in the home. This easily spreads
infections between the children.
Remember, it is important to start with clean hands, clean surfaces, and clean equipment to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. Prepare your formula based upon the manufacturer’s recommendations to assure proper nutrition. And when the baby is done feeding, discard all remaining formula or breastmilk to prevent future foodborne illnesses. A healthy baby is a happy baby!
