Safe bottle feeding guide

Some important points to remember if you are feeding your baby formula, or giving expressed breast milk from a bottle:

1. Wash your hands before making up baby's milk.
2. Clean bottles, teats and utensils inside and out using warm water and rinse well under running water.
3. Sterilise all baby's feeding equipment. If you are using a breast pump to express milk, this will also need to be sterilised before using. You can sterilise feeding equipment either by completely submerging the equipment in boiling water and boiling it for 5 minutes, or by using a sterilising solution. For further information, see our page on sterilising bottles and equipment. If you are using an alternative sterilising method such as sterilisation tablets, make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions .
4. If you are using formula, it is essential to follow the manufacturer's instructions. Don't add more or less powder than is recommended, as using the specified amount ensures that your baby gets the correct amount of nutrients they need to stay healthy.
5. Measure the volume of cooled, boiled water into the sterilised bottle. Add the powder to the water, not the other way around.
6. Use the scoop provided to measure level scoops of powder. Fill the scoop lightly and level it off with a knife. Always use the scoop provided with the formula, as different formulas may have different scoop sizes.
7. Add the formula to the water, place the cap on the bottle and shake to dissolve the powder. Prepared formula should be protected from contamination and used immediately. Make up each feed fresh as needed, and do not store made-up formula for later use, as bacteria can contaminate the feed and make your baby very ill.
8. Before feeding, always check that the feed is at body temperature by shaking a few drops onto your wrist.
9. If the milk or formula is not warm enough, place the bottle in a bowl of warm water. Do not use a microwave as it can cause hot spots in the liquid and burn baby's mouth.
10. If you are going out and need to take baby's food with you, don't take the formula already made up. Bacteria are more likely to grow if the formula is warmer than the fridge temperature. It is best to take the pre-measured water in the bottle and the powder in a separate sterilised container or sachet. Tip the powder into the water when you are ready to feed baby. Once a formula can has been opened, it can only be safely kept for 4 weeks.

Click on link below to download file:
Kar Bottle Feeds DL.pdf