If you have made an informed decision to feed your baby infant formula the following information can help you prepare to feed your baby infant formula safely. Ensure that you are using a formula that is approved by Health Canada.

There are three types of infant formula currently available for full-term infants (born between 37 and 42 weeks) which are fortified with iron. They include:

  • Ready-to-feed
  • Liquid concentrate
  • Powdered

If your baby is premature, low birth weight (and under two months of age) or has a weakened immune system and is not being breastfed, give commercially prepared sterile liquid infant formula since powdered infant formula is not sterile and may contain bacteria that is harmful to your baby, if not properly prepared.

Instructions for preparing infant formula are different for each type of formula, so be sure to read the directions on the label of the can or package prior to preparation.

If you are thinking of changing your baby’s infant formula, be sure to talk with your baby’s health care provider before making any changes.

Before preparing infant formula for your baby make sure that the equipment that you are using is sterilized.

Learn how to:

The following are instructions on how to prepare powdered infant formula for healthy full-term infants.

Before you begin to mix the formula for your baby:

  • Check the expiry date on the can.
  • Do not use after the expiry date on the can.
  • Make sure the can is clean and not damaged.

Make sure that all equipment you need for feeding and preparing infant formula for your baby is sterilized.

Use the following instructions when preparing formula for healthy full-term infants.

  • Boiled water that has been cooled to room temperature can be used to prepare powdered infant formula.
  • Serve formula as soon as possible after it has been prepared.
1.washing hands with water and soap
Disinfect counter and wash hands with soap and water.
2.sterilized equipment on top of a clean paper towel
Have sterilized equipment ready on a clean paper towel.
3.Boil water on stove for 2 minute

Run cold tap water for at least two minutes before filling your pot. Bring water to a rolling boil for two minutes. Let it cool to room temperature.

4.read can label
Read the label. It will tell you how much water and powder to use. Wash top of can with warm water.
5.pouring liquid into bottle
Pour the amount of boiled water needed into a sterilized bottle.
6.measure a full scoop powdered formula and add to bottle of water

Fill scoop from can with powder. Level with a sterilized knife. Add the powder to the water.

7.using tongs to ick up nipple, rim and cap and put on bottle
Pick up nipple, rim and cap with sterilized tongs and put on bottle. Then tighten with your hands.
8.shaking bottle to mix
Shake bottle to mix. (If there is clumping, use sterilized utensils to stir the formula.)
9.cooling bottle under running water

Quickly cool bottle under cold running water or in a container of cold water.

 10.check milk temperature on wrist
Check the temperature of the formula on the inside of your wrist before serving to your baby to ensure that the formula is not too hot.
 11.adult feeding baby with bottle
Serve formula as soon as possible after it has been prepared (see How to feed your baby with a bottle).
 12.pouring bottle leftover in the drain
Throw away what your baby does not drink within two hours.

 

After opening the can of powdered infant formula:

  • Cover opened cans with tightly closed lid.
  • Store in a cool, dry place.
  • When you open the container, write the date on top of the lid so you can remember.
  • Use within one month (check the label).

For more information, watch a formula preparation video, “Safely Preparing Formula for your Baby.”

Contact Toronto Public Health at 416-338-7600 or chat live with a Public Health Nurse if you have questions about feeding your baby.

Powdered infant formula isn’t sterile. If not prepared properly, powdered infant formula could expose a child to potentially harmful bacteria.

 

If commercially prepared sterile infant liquid formula is not available to your baby who is premature, low birth weight or has a weakened immune system, then you can give powdered infant formula once you ensure that it is properly prepared. The following are instructions on how to prepare powdered infant formula for premature and low birth weight infants under two months of age or with a weakened immune system.

Before you begin to mix the formula for your baby:

  • Check the expiry date on the can.
  • Do not use after the expiry date on the can.
  • Make sure the can is clean and not damaged.

Make sure that all equipment you need for feeding and preparing infant formula for your baby is sterilized.

1.washing hands with water and soap
Disinfect counter and wash hands with soap and water.
2.sterilized equipment on top of a clean paper towel
Have sterilized equipment ready on a clean paper towel.
3.*Boil water on stove for 2 minute

Run cold tap water for at least two minutes before filling your pot. Bring water to a rolling boil for two minutes. Cool water to 70° C (about 30 minutes).

4.read can label
Read the label. It will tell you how much water and powder to use. Wash the top of can with warm water.
5.pouring liquid into bottle
Pour the amount of boiled water (identified in the manufacturer’s instructions) into a sterile bottle.
6.measure a full scoop powdered formula and add to bottle of water

Add the powdered formula based on the manufacturer’s instructions. Fill scoop from can with powder. Level with a sterilized knife. Add the powder to the water.

7.using tongs to ick up nipple, rim and cap and put on bottle
Pick up nipple, rim and cap with sterilized tongs and put on bottle. Then tighten with your hands.
8.shaking bottle to mix
Shake bottle to mix (if there is clumping, use sterilized utensils to stir the formula).
9.cooling bottle under running water

Quickly cool bottle under cold running water or in a container of cold water. Cool formula to between room and body temperature.

 10.check milk temperature on wrist
Check the temperature of the formula on the inside of your wrist before serving to your baby to ensure that the formula is not too hot.
 11.adult feeding baby with bottle
Serve formula as soon as possible after it has been prepared, within two hours of starting to feed your baby (see How to feed your baby with a bottle).
 12.pouring bottle leftover in the drain
Throw away what your baby does not drink within two hours.

 

*Note: Contact your doctor or health care provider if the formula that you are using cannot be prepared using boiled water cooled to 70°C and follow the advice provided.

After opening the can of powdered infant formula:

  • Cover opened cans with tightly closed lid.
  • Store in a cool, dry place.
  • When you open the container, write the date on top of the lid so you can remember.
  • Use within one month (check the label).

Making fresh powdered infant formula to immediately feed your baby is ideal, however, this is not always possible. If you must prepare feedings in advance to use later in the day follow the instructions:

1.washing hands with water and soap
Disinfect counter and wash hands with soap and water.
2.sterilized equipment on top of a clean paper towel
Have sterilized equipment ready on a clean paper towel.
3.*Boil water on stove for 2 minute

Run cold tap water for at least two minutes before filling your pot. Bring water to a rolling boil for two minutes. Cool water to 70°C (about 30 minutes).

4.read can label
Read the label. It will tell you how much water and powder to use. Wash the top of can with warm water.
5.pouring liquid into bottle
Pour the amount of boiled water (identified in the manufacturer’s instructions) into a sterile bottle.
6.measure a full scoop powdered formula and add to bottle of water

Add the powdered formula based on the manufacturer’s instructions. Fill scoop from can with powder. Level with a sterilized knife. Add the powder to the water.

7.using tongs to ick up nipple, rim and cap and put on bottle
Pick up nipple, rim and cap with sterilized tongs and put on bottle. Then tighten with your hands.
8.shaking bottle to mix
Shake bottle to mix (if there is clumping, use sterilized utensils to stir the formula).
9.cooling bottle under running water

Quickly cool bottle under cold running water.

 10.put bottles in refrigerator
Place in the refrigerator at a temperature of 4°C or below until you are ready to feed your baby.
Use formula that you placed in the refrigerator within 24 hours or as indicated by the manufacturer.

*Note: Contact your doctor or health care provider if the formula that you are using cannot be prepared using boiled water cooled to 70°C and follow the advice provided.

The following are instructions on how to prepare Liquid Concentrate Formula for your baby.

Before you begin to prepare the formula for your baby:

  • Check the expiry date on the can.
  • Do not use after the expiry date on the can.
  • Make sure the can is clean and not damaged.

Make sure that all equipment you need for feeding and preparing infant formula for your baby is sterilized.

1.washing hands with water and soap
Disinfect counter and wash hands with soap and water.
2.sterilized equipment on top of a clean paper towel
Have sterilized equipment ready on a clean paper towel.
3.Boil water on stove for 2 minute

Run cold tap water for at least two minutes before filling your pot. Bring water to a rolling boil for two minutes. Let it cool to between room and body temperature.

4.

Infant formula comes in different packaging. Always read the label and instructions carefully.
5.shake formula package
Shake the formula and open it. Use a sterilized can opener, if needed.
6.pour water into measuring cup

Pour the amount of sterilized water needed into a glass measuring cup.

7.pour liquid formula into container
Add an equal amount of liquid concentrate formula to the sterilized water. Be sure to measure carefully. Stir well with sterile utensil.
8.pour formula from measuring cup to bottle
Pour the amount of formula for one feeding into each sterilized bottle.
9.using tongs to ick up nipple, rim and cap and put on bottle

Pick up nipples, rims and caps with sterile tongs and put on bottles. Then tighten with your hands.

10.put bottles in refrigerator
Put bottles in refrigerator. Use within 24 hours.
11.Put package in fridge
Close or tightly cover open package of formula and put in the refrigerator. Use within 48 hours.

 

The following are instructions on how to prepare Liquid Concentrate Formula for baby.

Before you begin to prepare the formula for your baby:

  • Check the expiry date on the can.
  • Do not use after the expiry date on the can.
  • Make sure the can is clean and not damaged.

Make sure that all equipment you need for feeding and preparing infant formula for your baby is sterilized.

Use the following instructions when preparing formula for healthy-term infants.

1.washing hands with water and soap
Disinfect counter and wash hands with soap and water.
2.sterilized equipment on top of a clean paper towel
Have sterilized equipment ready on a clean paper towel.
3.Tetra package infant formula

Infant formula comes in different packaging. Always read the label carefully.

4.washing can
Wash the top of the formula package with warm water.
5.shake formula package
Shake the formula and open it. Use a sterilized can opener, if needed.
6.pour formula from measuring cup to bottle

Pour amount of infant formula for one feeding into each bottle. DO NOT ADD WATER.

 

7.using tongs to ick up nipple, rim and cap and put on bottle
Pick up nipples, rims and caps with sterile tongs and put on bottles. Then tighten with your hands.
8.put bottles in refrigerator
Put bottles in refrigerator. Use within 24 hours.
9.Put package in fridge
Close or tightly cover open package of formula and put in the refrigerator. Use within 48 hours.

 

Tips for Mixing Infant Formula

  • Tap water in Toronto is safe to use for mixing infant formula. You can also use commercially bottled water.
  • Do not use carbonated, distilled or mineral water.
  • Always boil the water as tap, well and commercial bottled water are not sterile.
  • Do not use kettles that shut off before the water has boiled for two minutes.
  • Always sterilize equipment.
  • Read the directions on the label and measure carefully. It could harm your baby if you add too little or too much water.

To Warm Up Prepared Infant Formula

Once prepared, infant formula should ideally be fed immediately. This is not always possible as you may have prepared more than one bottle for later use. To warm prepared formula for your baby:

  • Place a bottle of prepared formula in a bottle warmer or a container of hot water for up to 15 minutes until the formula is between room and body temperature. The risk of harmful bacteria increases when formula is warmed for a longer period of time.
  • Avoid using a microwave when warming prepared formula as using a microwave can cause uneven heating of formula with hot spots which can burn your baby’s mouth.
  • Check the temperature of the formula on the inside of your wrist before serving to your baby to ensure that the formula is not too hot.
  • Feed your baby the formula as soon as you have warmed it and use it within two hours of being warmed.
  • Throw out any leftover formula.