How to Prepare Ready-to-Mix Powdered Baby Formula

Powdered formula may take a bit longer to prepare for your baby, but it's less expensive than the other types. Here are the basics of preparation.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Baby Bottle Nipples
• Baby Bottles
• Baby Formulas
• Antibacterial Soaps

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, and gather together a sterile bottle and nipple.
2. Check the expiration date of formula before using. Discard outdated formula.
3. Read carefully all the instructions on the powdered formula container.
4. Warm the water by boiling first, then adding it to cold, purified water. Or, heat purified water in the microwave.
5. Pour warm - not hot - water into the baby bottle.
6. Add 1 scoop formula for every 2 oz. water. Be sure to measure carefully or your baby could get sick.
7. Pull the nipple through the nipple ring, and screw the nipple ring onto the bottle.
8. Shake well.
9. Test the temperature of the formula on your wrist. Let the formula cool if the liquid is warmer than room temperature.
10. Serve or place in the refrigerator immediately after mixing, for up to 24 hours.

Tips & Warnings

• Select a formula that's most similar to the types and proportions of proteins, sodium, sugars and fats found in breast milk. Hint: Most commercial formulas closely simulate breast milk.
• If you need to warm the formula slightly once it's in the bottle, set the bottle into a pan of warm - not hot - tap water until the formula reaches the desired temperature or hold it under warm water running from the faucet.
• If the formula has been left out of the refrigerator for more than an hour, throw it away to prevent exposure to harmful bacteria.