Preparing a bottle of milk for a baby is fairly easy, especially if you're used to it. The procedure used will depend on the type of milk you are giving your baby: powdered formula, liquid formula, or breast milk. Whatever your choice, make sure you sterilize the bottles properly and store them properly to avoid contamination.
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Part 1 of 6: Maintaining Proper Hygiene When Preparing Bottles
Step 1. Check the milk expiration date
If you are using bottled formula, check the expiration date or the best use date. If the expiration date has passed, throw the milk away. Babies' immune systems are not as strong as adults' immune systems, so they are more susceptible to food-borne illnesses that may be in expired formula.
- If the can of formula you bought has not been opened, but it has expired, take it to the store where you bought it in exchange for milk that is still good.
- If you're breastfeeding your baby, label the bottle and write down the date you pumped to make sure it doesn't take too long to use. Breast milk can last up to 24 hours if stored in the refrigerator and six months if stored in the freezer.
Step 2. Do not buy milk in packaging that has been damaged
When you're shopping for formula, check each package carefully to make sure it's not damaged at all. Even minor damage to the packaging can cause harmful bacteria to grow in infant formula.
- Minor dents may not seem like a problem, but they can cause infant formula damage if the inner lining of the can is damaged as well.
- If formula is packaged in a package, do not buy or use milk with a bulging or leaking package.
Step 3. Clean hands and surfaces that will be used to prepare milk
Hands can carry a lot of bacteria that have the potential to harm health, so make it a habit to always wash your hands thoroughly before handling milk bottles. Surfaces in your home such as counter/table surfaces can also be contaminated with bacteria, so make sure you clean the surface you are going to use before starting to prepare milk.
Step 4. Make sure all components of the bottle are clean
Before using a bottle or pacifier for the first time, sterilize it in boiling water for at least five minutes. Then clean each component thoroughly with soap and water or put it in the dishwasher before further use.
You can also buy special tools to sterilize milk bottles. Some experts recommend that you sterilize baby feeding utensils after each use
Step 5. Sterilize the water used to make milk
If you're using formula that requires adding water, it's a good idea to sterilize the water before mixing it into the bottle. You can do this by boiling the water for five minutes. Then cool the water for no more than 30 minutes before pouring it into the bottle.
- Do not use pre-boiled and cooled water.
- Avoid artificially softened water as it may contain too much sodium.
- Bottled water isn't always sterile, so you'll need to boil it just like tap water.
- If you are using boiling water to make milk, be sure to cool it first after mixing it with the milk so that your baby's mouth doesn't scald. You can check the temperature of the milk by dripping a small amount of milk on the inside of your wrist.
- If the bottled water says it's been sterilized, you don't need to boil it before mixing it with the milk.
Part 2 of 6: Preparing the Powdered Formula Milk Bottle
Step 1. Pour sterile water into the bottle
Start preparing the bottle by pouring as much sterile water as needed into a clean bottle. If you're not sure how much water you need, check the directions on the package to determine the correct amount.
Always pour water first before adding powdered milk. That way, you can ensure the correct dosage
Step 2. Add required amount of powdered milk
Read the description on the packaging to determine how much powdered milk to add to the water. You'll need to find the ratio of the amount of formula to the amount of water in the bottle. All formulas have different instructions.
- Always use the dose provided in the packaging / can of formula milk to measure powdered milk. You don't need to tamp the milk into batches, just fill it loosely and flatten the top using a clean knife or flattening tool (if provided in the package).
- It is very important to add the correct amount of milk to the bottle. Adding too much milk can dehydrate the baby, and adding too little can cause the baby to be malnourished.
Step 3. Close the bottle and shake it
After adding water and powdered milk to the bottle, attach the pacifier, ring and cap. Make sure you close it tightly, then shake the bottle vigorously. After all the milk is dissolved, the bottle is ready to be served or stored.
Part 3 of 6: Preparing Liquid Formula Milk Bottles
Step 1. Check whether the liquid formula is in the form of a concentrate or not
There are two types of liquid formula available in the market: concentrated and ready-to-drink. Read the description on the packaging carefully to determine the type of liquid formula you have. This is very important because you will have to add water if the formula is a concentrate.
Step 2. Shake the formula
No matter what type of liquid formula you choose, it's a good idea to shake the container before pouring the milk into the bottle. This step helps ensure the milk is thoroughly mixed and doesn't settle.
Step 3. Pour the required amount of liquid milk into the bottle
After shaking the container/package thoroughly, open the package and pour the required amount of liquid milk into a clean bottle.
- Please note that if you are using concentrated formula, you will need to add water, so you will need to pour less milk into the bottle. The package should include instructions on how much formula to use for various doses.
- If you didn't use the entire package to prepare the milk, close the package and store it in the refrigerator. Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding storage times.
Step 4. Add the sterilized water to the concentrated formula
If using concentrated formula, you should dilute it with sterilized water before giving it to your baby. All formula is not the same, so read the instructions on the package carefully to determine how much water to add.
If the label on the package states the milk can be drunk immediately or ready to drink, do not add water
Step 5. Close the bottle and shake it
Once you've added formula and water (for concentrated formula only) to the bottle, attach the nipple, ring, and cap. Make sure everything is securely in place, then shake the bottle to mix the contents. The bottle is now ready to serve or store.
Part 4 of 6: Preparing a Breast Milk Bottle
Step 1. Pump the milk by hand
If you want to breastfeed your baby, but can't breastfeed directly, you'll need to pump the milk first and store it until your baby's feeding schedule arrives. If you only need to do it occasionally, you can pump your milk by hand.
- You do this by placing your thumb just above the areola and two fingers slightly below the nipple. Then press the breast toward the ribs and roll your fingers toward the nipple.
- You can store your breast milk in a bottle that will be used for feeding your baby or in a separate container. If your breast milk is going to be stored, make sure you store it in a closed container and put it in the refrigerator.
Step 2. Use a breast pump
If you will be using the bottle more often, it may be a good idea to use a pump to express the milk. That way, you can express milk much faster.
- You can choose between a manually operated breast pump or an electric one.
- Most breast pumps come with bottles and other containers that can be attached directly to the pump for easy collection.
- Always read the instructions provided to make sure you are using the breast pump correctly.
- You may be able to rent a breast pump if you don't want to buy a new one.
- Make sure you clean the breast pump before using it.
Step 3. Transfer the breast milk to a clean bottle and seal it tightly
If you are using a different container to hold your breast milk and to feed your baby, pour the milk from the holding container into the bottle. Then attach the pacifier and ring, then twist until tight. If you are storing bottles, put the cap on the bottle and place it in the refrigerator.
Part 5 of 6: Heating a Milk Bottle
Step 1. Decide if you need to heat the milk bottle
You don't actually need to heat the milk, but some parents choose to do this because babies prefer warm milk. There is no problem if you want to give cold milk or milk at room temperature, as long as the baby is willing to drink it.
- Do not leave milk outside the refrigerator for more than two hours.
- Breast milk can be safely stored at room temperature for up to six hours, but should be refrigerated within four hours.
Step 2. Warm the bottle by immersing it in a bowl of warm water
If you decide to warm the bottle, one of the easiest ways is to soak it in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes. Use very warm water, but not hot water.
Place the bottle in the center of the bowl, and make sure the water is at the same level as breast milk or formula
Step 3. Use a bottle warmer
If you want an even easier way to warm a milk bottle, you can buy an electric bottle warmer. If using an electric bottle warmer, simply insert the bottle into the warmer and turn it on. It takes about four to six minutes to warm the bottle.
You can also purchase a small, battery-operated bottle warmer for on-the-go use
Step 4. Warm the bottle by placing it under running water
Another way to warm a bottle is to put it under a running tap for a few minutes. Make sure the tap water is warm, but not hot enough to scald your skin.
Step 5. Do not use the microwave to warm the bottle
While it may be tempting to warm the bottle in the microwave, it's best to avoid this method as much as possible. The microwave does not heat the milk evenly, so there may be hot spots that can cause the baby's mouth to scald.
Step 6. Check the temperature of the bottle before giving it to the baby
Whichever way you choose to warm the bottle, it never hurts to make sure that the milk in the bottle is at the right temperature before giving it to the baby. To check, hold the bottle upside down and sprinkle a few drops of milk on your wrist. Milk should not be cold or hot.
- If the milk has a comfortable temperature, you can give it to the baby.
- If the milk is too hot, cool it down before giving it to the baby.
- If the milk feels cold, continue the process of warming the bottle until the milk is warm.
Part 6 of 6: Saving Milk for Later
Step 1. Avoid storing milk as much as possible
The best way to keep bottled milk from becoming contaminated is to have it ready when your baby needs it. If possible, don't prepare extra bottles before baby's feeding time and save them for later feeding.
If you must store bottled milk, place it in the back of the refrigerator because that's where it's coldest
Step 2. Store breast milk in the refrigerator or freezer
If you must store your breast milk in a bottle for later feeding, you can generally store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. If milk will not be given within 24 hours, freeze the milk in a plastic container with a lid or breast milk bag.
- If your baby has recently been hospitalized, make sure you follow your doctor's advice about storing breast milk as this is usually not recommended.
- If you use a regular freezer that comes with the refrigerator, store frozen breast milk for no longer than one month. If you use a deep freezer, you can store it for three to six months. The longer you store frozen breast milk, the more nutrients in breast milk are lost, so use breast milk as soon as possible.
- Thaw frozen milk by refrigerating it, or soaking it in a bowl of warm water. Once the milk has thawed, do not refreeze it.
- Labeling and writing down the date the milk was collected/produced is a good idea as it can prevent you from accidentally using milk that has been stored for too long.
Step 3. Store liquid formula in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours
Liquid formula, whether concentrated or ready-to-drink, can usually be stored in a container in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours. Storage instructions may vary depending on the brand of milk.
Always read and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. If the manufacturer recommends storing infant formula in the refrigerator for a maximum of 24 hours, do not store it longer than that
Step 4. Find a safe place to store any unused formula
Extreme heat and cold can degrade milk quality, so try to store the powdered milk container in a place where the temperature is stable between 12.5-24 degrees Celsius. Keep away from direct sunlight and ventilation holes for heating or air conditioning.
Once the can of powdered formula is opened, it's best to use up the contents within a month
Step 5. If you travel, bring powdered milk that has not been mixed with water
If you will be out of the house when the baby needs to be fed, you can bring powdered formula which is easy to make and easy to carry around. Measure out the required amount of powdered milk and store it in a separate sterile container. When it's time to feed the baby, pour the powdered milk into the bottle and shake it.
- Make sure you wash your hands before mixing the milk into the bottle.
- If you're going to be outside and it's going to be hot, you may want to store bottles and containers of powdered milk in a cooler bag and put a small ice pack wrapped in a towel. Remember that your goal is not to cool the water or milk powder, you just want to prevent it from getting hot.
- Storing water and powdered milk separately is preferable to storing powdered milk that has been mixed with water because there is a possibility of milk settling or clumping during storage.
Step 6. Do not store leftover milk
If the baby doesn't finish the milk in an hour, throw away the rest. Don't save it for later. This applies to breast milk or formula. Bacteria in the baby's mouth can enter the bottle and grow while the bottle is stored in the refrigerator. These bacteria can make the baby sick later.
Tips
Powdered milk dissolves better in warm water
Warning
- Do not give cow's milk to a baby until he is one year old.
- If you're not sure if the bottle you're using is safe for babies, throw it away.
