Bottle Feeding
Prepare Formula Safely
- Sterilize bottles and nipples in a dishwasher or in a pot of boiling water for five minutes.
- Boil the water before adding it to powder formula or liquid concentrate. Bring it to a very bubbly boil. Keep boiling it for a minute or two, then let it cool.
- Mix powder formula and liquid concentrate with the exact amount of water stated on the label. Too little water can upset your baby's stomach or hurt the kidneys. Too much water keeps your baby from getting enough to eat.
Warning: Only use approved infant formulas. Homemade formula may not have all the things your baby needs to be healthy.
Store Formula Safely
- Keep the prepared formula in the refrigerator until you use it.
- Keep an opened can of ready-to- feed or liquid concentrate formula in the refrigerator. Use it within 48 hours after opening.
- To warm a bottle of formula, place it in a pot of water and heat the pot on the stove.
- Warning: Don't heat bottles in a microwave oven! Microwaves make hot spots that could burn your baby's mouth.
When Can You Switch to Whole Milk?
- You can stop feeding formula and start whole milk around your baby's first birthday. But do not give your 1-year-old any reduced-fat or no-fat milk. These milks don't have enough fat and calories for your growing toddler.
- Or, you can continue feeding your child breast milk for as long as you want.
Warning: Don't give your 1-year-old reduced-fat or no-fat milk!
Back to Top |
