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Safe Bottle Preparation

  • Practical advice

Breast milk is the best choice for babies. Sometimes it is not possible for infants to feed directly from the breast and the use of bottles may be required to feed expressed breast milk or an infant formula.Important considerations when bottle feeding:

 

  • Check expiry date of formula.
  • Hands should always be washed with soap and water and dried before expressing milk or preparing formula and bottles
  • Always use sterilised bottles and teats.
  • Always use the scoop provided with the formula because different formulas may have different scoop sizes.
  • Always keep formula in its original can and cover with the plastic lid to prevent contamination of the powder. Do not transfer the powder to another container because there is a high risk of contamination.
  • Follow manufacturer’s instructions exactly when preparing feeds and don’t add more or less powder than recommended. It is important that the formula is made up correctly so the infant gets the correct amount of nutrients.
  • The water should always be put in the bottle first and then add the powder.
  • Bottles containing the sterilised water can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
  • Prepared formula should be protected from contamination and used immediately. Make up each feed fresh as needed. Do not store prepared formula for later use.
  • Once an infant has had some formula from the bottle, the feed should be used within one hour, and then any leftovers discarded.
  • Do not leave prepared formula sitting at room temperature or in a warm place.
  • Once a formula can has been opened, it can be safely kept for 3-4 weeks depending on the type of formula.
Safe Bottle Preparation FAQ

Below you will find some frequently asked questions related to Safe Bottle Preparation. You can also download the full FAQ PDF version.

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Frequently asked questions

  • 4–6 feeding bottles with caps.
 
  • 4–6 teats.
 
  • Teats are available in a variety of shapes and flows  – it is important to advise a care giver about the most appropriate one for their baby, or alternatively suggest they speak to their pharmacist. Teats condition should be checked regularly. Teats will wear over time and may need replacing, particularly if a baby has teeth and bites. Discard any teats with cracked collars.
 
  • Bottle brush for cleaning bottles.
 
  • Sterilising equipment – this depends on the sterilising method chosen e.g. either by boiling, using a sterilising solution or microwave sterilising.

 

If bottle feeding expressed breast milk

  • A breast pump to assist in expressing breast milk may be used. When choosing feeding equipment ensure all parts of any equipment used to assist in expressing milk can be effectively cleaned. Always follow the manufacturer’s care and cleaning instructions.
 
  • Breast milk bags – sterile bags for storing breast milk in fridge or freezer.

 

If bottle feeding formula

  • A container or formula dispenser to safely carry formula powder for travelling.
 
  • An insulated carry-bag to carry cool or warm, previously boiled water.

 

Teats will wear over time and may need replacing.

There are a number of safe ways to sterilise infant feeding equipment. The bottles, teats and collars should always be cleaned first to ensure no traces of milk or milk residue remain.
 
Steam: Electric steamers sterilise bottles in 8–12 minutes. They leave no unpleasant smell or taste but are not suitable for all equipment (i.e. breast pumps). It is important to ensure the openings of the bottles and teats are facing downwards in the steriliser and that the manufacturer’s instructions are followed.
 
Microwave: Steam sterilising units create steam in the microwave which sterilises bottles and teats in 8–10 minutes. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, especially concerning the correct amount of water to use. This method is not suitable for glass bottles, as glass retains heat and can become extremely hot in the time it takes to sterilise. Teats should be placed upright not laid flat, as this allows the steam to circulate to all areas of the teat.
 
Boiling: To sterilise a bottle by boiling, completely submerge all the feeding equipment in boiling water for 5 minutes. The water should cool before taking the equipment out and then shake off excess water.
 
Coldwater: Using an approved sterilisation tablet (prepare the sterilising solution according to the manufacturer’s instruction) takes about 30 minutes and is highly effective: it can touch the skin with no ill-effects. The solution should be made up in a large glass or plastic container. It is important that the bottles and teats are fully submerged in the container (no air gaps). The bottles can stay sterilised in the water for up to 24 hours.

To view the answers please download the PDF.

Microwaves are not recommended for warming an infant’s bottle of expressed breast milk or infant formula as it is easy to over heat. Microwaves can cause variations in temperatures throughout the bottle with “hotspots” and the expressed breast milk or infant formula may continue to heat after it has been removed from the microwave.2

It is much safer to prepare bottles of infant formula at the destination, rather than transporting bottles of prepared formula.

 

There are a number of special containers available designed to carry single serves of infant formula. It is also recommended to take one or more separate sterilised bottles of cooled boiled water at the correct volume, so the formula can be prepared at the destination. Alternatively, single-serve sachets of infant formula powder are available. Manufacturer’s instructions should always be checked before use.2

 

Ready-made bottles of prepared formula can be a breeding ground for bacteria if the bottles have been sitting in a car or baby bag for several hours, especially on a warm day. Because of the potential for growth of harmful bacteria during transport, feeds should first be cooled to less than 5°C in a refrigerator and then transported.2

 

  • Prepare the feed and put in the refrigerator.
  • Ensure feed is cold before transporting.
  • Do not remove feed from the refrigerator until immediately before transporting.
  • Transport feed in a cool bag with ice packs.
  • Use feeds transported in a cool bag within 2 hours, as most cool bags do not always keep foods adequately chilled.
  • Re-warm at the destination (for no more than 15 minutes).
  • If the destination is reached within 2 hours, feeds transported in a cool bag can be placed in a refrigerator and held for up to 24 hours from the time of preparation.

  • Check expiry date of formula.
  • Hands should always be washed with soap and water and dried before expressing milk or preparing formula and bottles.
  • Always use sterilised bottles and teats.
  • Always use the scoop provided with the formula because different formulas may have different scoop sizes.
  • Always keep formula in its original can and cover with the plastic lid to prevent contamination of the powder. Do not transfer the powder to another container because there is a high risk of contamination.
  • Follow manufacturer’s instructions exactly when preparing feeds and don’t add more or less powder than recommended. It is important that the formula is made up correctly so the infant gets the correct amount of nutrients.
  • The water should always be put in the bottle first and then add the powder.
  • Bottles containing the sterilised water can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
  • Prepared formula should be protected from contamination and used immediately. Make up each feed fresh as needed. Do not store prepared formula for later use.
  • Once an infant has had some formula from the bottle, the feed should be used within one hour, and then any leftovers discarded.
  • Do not leave prepared formula sitting at room temperature or in a warm place.
  • Once a formula can has been opened, it can be safely kept for 3–4 weeks depending on the type of formula.

FAQ References

 

 1. NZ Ministry of Health (2008) Partially Revised December 2012. (Updated food-related choking policy). Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Healthy Infants and Toddlers (Aged 0–2): A background paper (4th ed) – Wellington: Ministry of Health. Wellington, New Zealand. 2. NHMRC (2012). National Health and Medical Research Council: Infant Feeding Guidelines National Health and Medical Research Council. Canberra. 3. Ministry for Primary Industries. Warming infant formula; http:// www.foodsmart.govt.nz/information-for/babies-toddlers/warming-infant-formula/ (last accessed 17/12/2013).

 

Breast milk is best for babies. Professional advice should be followed before using an infant formula. Introducing partial bottle feeding could negatively affect breast feeding. Good maternal nutrition is important for breast feeding and reversing a decision not to breast feed may be difficult. Infant formula should always be used as directed. Proper use of an infant formula is important to the health of the infant. Social and financial implications should be considered when selecting a method of feeding.

 

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