How to Feed Your Baby With Powdered Formula

Feed your baby powdered milk confidently and correctly.

Bond with your baby while providing the proper nutrients through bottle-feeding. It is important to know how to correctly prepare and present a bottle filled with powdered formula to a baby. If you do not properly prepare the formula, your baby could be in danger and may not get all required nutrients. Additionally, if you do not feed the bottle to your baby using the correct hold, he or she may become fussy.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Stove top
• Soap
• Powdered formula container (with scoop)
• Straight edge
• Bottle

Instructions

Preparation

1. Boil at least 10 oz. of tap water for one minute on your stove top.

2. Turn off the heat and allow the water to cool to room temperature. You can test the temperature of the water by dripping a small amount of the water on the inside of your wrist.

3. Wash your hands with hot, soapy water.

4. Prepare the powdered formula as directed on the packaging. It will tell you how much water should be used to make a specific amount of formula.

5. Fill an empty baby bottle with the amount of water recommended on the labeling.

6. Add the given amount of powdered formula to the water inside the bottle. When measuring the powder, use the scoop provided inside the packaging. Level off the top of the scoop with a straight edge like a butter knife.

7. Secure the nipple to the top of the bottle so that it is sealed.

8. Shake the bottle with one hand until the powdered formula has visibly dissolved.

9. Test the temperature of the milk by squirting a small amount from the nipple onto the inside of your wrist. It should be room temperature.

Feeding

1. Hold your baby in one arm at a 45 degree angle in a cradle hold position. This position prevents your baby from swallowing air.

2. Hold the bottle filled with the prepared powdered formula in your opposite hand.

3. Tilt the bottle so that the nipple is filled with the prepared powdered formula at all times so that your baby does not suck in air. Listen for a loud sucking noise which indicates your baby may be taking in air while drinking. Make note of the bottle hold position that best suits your baby. Never prop the bottle up on a pillow or on your neck.

Tips & Warnings

• If your baby becomes fussy after a feeding, you may want to consider mixing the powdered formula and water in a drinking glass with a metal spoon instead of shaking it in the bottle, as this can cause air bubbles and lead to an upset stomach.

• Do not water down your baby's formula. This can create a loss of nutrients.

References

• Baby Friendly: Preparing a Bottle Feed Using Baby Milk Powder
• Baby Center: Bottle-Feeding Basics
• Similac: How to Prepare Powder Baby Formula
• Similac: Watered-Down Formula Not Recommended for Baby's Health