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:
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:
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.
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.
Fill scoop from can with powder. Level with a sterilized knife. Add the powder to the water.
Quickly cool bottle under cold running water or in a container of cold water.
After opening the can of powdered infant formula:
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.
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:
Make sure that all equipment you need for feeding and preparing infant formula for your baby is sterilized.
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).
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.
Quickly cool bottle under cold running water or in a container of cold water. Cool formula to between room and body temperature.
*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:
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:
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).
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.
Quickly cool bottle under cold running water.
*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:
Make sure that all equipment you need for feeding and preparing infant formula for your baby is sterilized.
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.
Pour the amount of sterilized water needed into a glass measuring cup.
Pick up nipples, rims and caps with sterile tongs and put on bottles. Then tighten with your hands.
The following are instructions on how to prepare Ready-to-Feed Formula for baby.
Before you begin to prepare the formula for your baby:
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.
Infant formula comes in different packaging. Always read the label carefully.
Pour amount of infant formula for one feeding into each bottle. DO NOT ADD WATER.
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: