How to Properly Prepare A Baby Bottle

Whether you're breastfeeding or formula feeding, bottles are a necessary feeding tool for many families. As with preparing any food or beverage, preparing formula or breastmilk for the bottle requires some simple safety steps to make sure your baby gets the right amount of fresh, wholesome nourishment. Bubs has all the information you need to know how to prepare a baby bottle for your new bub.

Steps for preparing a bottle of infant formula

Many of these rules are the same ones you’d follow when preparing food for another person of any age. But it’s especially important to follow these safety guidelines when it comes to caring for an infant or child. 

  1. Wash your hands well with soap and warm water and clean your prep area. 
  2. Make sure the bottle and other equipment is clean and sanitized. The FDA recommends boiling bottles, nipples, caps, rings, and valves for five minutes before first use. (Your bottle may have come with its own recommended cleaning instructions, too.) For subsequent uses, wash them with warm, soapy water or in the dishwasher (if they are dishwasher safe) after each use. 
  3. Make sure powdered infant formula is completely dry. If for some reason the inside of the canister gets wet or damp, it may contaminate the formula. Likewise, only handle the measuring scoop with clean, dry hands. 
  4. Measure your water first, using a safe source of water. If you’re unsure about the safety of your water, you can use bottled water or boil tap for one minute, then let it cool completely before using it to make formula. If your baby is younger than two months old, was born prematurely or has a weakened immune system, your pediatrician may want to take extra precautions when preparing infant formula. 
  5. Follow package instructions for the proper water to powdered formula ratio. These ratios are carefully calibrated to make sure your baby gets the proper nutrition as well as adequate hydration. Mixing in too much or too little powder formula could lead to malnutrition or dehydration. 
  6. Shake the formula in the bottle to mix, do not stir.
  7. Monitor temperature carefully. You don’t have to warm formula, but if you want to, make sure the temperature is not higher than 98.6° F. You can warm a bottle of prepared formula by letting it sit in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes, or by running it under hot tap water for a few minutes. Shake gently and test on your wrist - it should feel warm, not hot. Never microwave breastmilk or formula - this can create dangerous “hot spots”.
  8. Feed your baby within a two-hour window. To ensure freshness and food safety, feed your baby the prepared bottle within one hour from starting the feed and within two hours of preparation. If you are not going to use the prepared infant formula within 2 hours, immediately store the bottle in the refrigerator and use it within 24 hours.
  9. Empty and clean bottle when your baby is done eating. Throw away any formula left in the bottle. Never save a half-consumed bottle, as the saliva can cause bacteria to grow. 

Steps for preparing a bottle of breastmilk 

Many of the basic safety rules for preparing a bottle of breastmilk are the same as for preparing a bottle of infant formula. Here’s what to do when making up a bottle of breastmilk. 

  1. Wash your hands well with soap and warm water and clean your prep area. 
  2. Make sure the bottle and other equipment is clean and sanitized. The FDA recommends boiling bottles, nipples, caps, rings, and valves for five minutes before first use. (Your bottle may have come with its own recommended cleaning instructions, too.) For subsequent uses, wash them with warm, soapy water or in the dishwasher (if they are dishwasher safe) after each use. 
  3. Warm breast milk carefully. If you’re using breastmilk that has just been pumped, you can skip this step. If you’re using frozen breastmilk, thaw it by placing it in the refrigerator overnight or bringing it to temperature under warm, running water. Likewise, refrigerated breast milk can be warmed under warm running water or by letting it sit in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes. Never microwave breastmilk or formula - this can create dangerous “hot spots”.
  4. Gently swirl the bottle before feeding. Doing this makes sure the fat and nutrients are properly combined, and that the liquid is evenly warmed. Before letting your baby drink, test the breast milk on your own wrist to make sure it’s not too hot (it should never be higher than 98.6° F). 
  5. Pay attention to stay-fresh time limits. Previously-frozen breast milk should be consumed within 24 hours of thawing. Once breast milk has been warmed, use it within two hours. Discard any leftovers after that. 

These safe-feeding steps and tips will likely become a habit after your baby’s first few bottles, and will pave the way for healthy, consistent nourishment for your little one, whether formula or breast milk.