Why is there so much fuss about correctly preparing and storing baby formula?
Preparing baby formula isn't hard, but it's important to mix it in the proper ratio of formula to water to make sure that your baby is getting just the right amount of nutrients. Also, because your baby doesn't have much immunity to germs just yet, especially as a newborn, it's important to take precautions to protect him from food-borne illnesses. Here's what you need to know.
Check the expiration date
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that infant formula manufacturers analyze each batch of formula to determine nutrient levels and safety, and stamp a "use-by" date on every container — just like the date found on milk, eggs, poultry, and other perishables. It may be tempting to grab a can and run when you're shopping with a fussy baby, but taking a few seconds to check the use-by date will help assure safety and quality.
Also make sure that the can isn't dented. When a can is dented, the inside tin layer might be cracked, which allows the liquid to come in contact with the steel, potentially causing rust and even a hole that could allow the contents to spoil.
To save money, you may want to buy in bulk. But before you stock up, figure out how much formula you'll be able to use before the formula expires. Some of the vitamins and other nutrients found in formula degrade over time, so your baby may not get the nourishment he needs from expired formula. If you do end up with formula past its use-by date, return it to the store and request a fresh container. Most formula makers allow retailers to return unopened containers of expired formula for free replacement.
Keep formula cool but not frozen
Heat and cold can degrade the ingredients and the nutrients in formula, so keep unopened liquid and powdered formula in a cool place. Choose a cabinet or a shelf that's away from a stove, oven, heating ducts, or hot water pipes. The optimum storage temperature is between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, but make certain that it stays below 95 degrees and above freezing, or 32 degrees. Don't leave cans in direct sunlight, and don't put them in the freezer, either.
Once you open a can of liquid formula, follow the directions on the can for storage. Most suggest storing in the can, covered, for 24 to 48 hours. It's best not to put powdered formula in the refrigerator or another damp place, because the humidity can cause the powder to clump.
Follow this five-step checklist when preparing formula
1. Wash your equipment well.
Some experts suggest sanitizing all bottles, nipples, measuring cups, spoons, and rings, and others say there's no need unless the safety of the water in your area is questionable. Still others advise sterilizing feeding supplies if your baby is younger than 3 months old. At any rate, you'll want to wash all of your bottle supplies in hot soapy water and rinse well. Better yet, run them through the dishwasher. It's a good idea to do this right after feedings so that the formula doesn't have a chance to stick to the sides and crevices of the bottle.
Bottle and nipple brushes are inexpensive and very handy, as are dishwasher-safe plastic baskets specially designed to hold bottle-feeding supplies. If you choose to sanitize, simply place the supplies in boiling water for about five minutes. You can also find commercial sterilizers to do the job. Let the bottles and supplies air dry on a drying rack, or dry with a paper towel if you need them right away. (Avoid dish towels because they can harbor bacteria.) Fill bottles with formula, refrigerate, and use within 24 hours.
If you're using sample nipples that you were given at the hospital or doctor's office, they come in sterilized packages and are meant to be used directly out of the package and then disposed of after one use. When you purchase new bottles and supplies, wash and sterilize them before using them for the first time, even if you don't continue to sterilize them.
2. Wash the top of the formula can before opening it.
This helps remove dust or liquids that may have spilled on it. You may want to designate a separate can opener for formula, and wash it well between uses.
3. Wash your hands well.
Before preparing formula, wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Dry your hands with a paper towel.
4. Follow the preparation directions on the container exactly.
Since mixing instructions vary by manufacturer, and the water-to-formula ratio depends on whether the formula is powder or liquid, read the label carefully. Adding too little water can tax your baby's kidneys and cause dehydration, while adding too much water will deprive your baby of the calories and nutrients he needs, which can cause stunted growth and failure to thrive. For better accuracy, you may want to use a standard measuring cup instead of the lines on your baby's bottle.
5. Use sterilized water.
If you're using powdered or liquid concentrate formula, it's best to mix it with water that's been sterilized by boiling, especially during the first few months. Simply place cold water in a pan and boil for one minute. (Boiling for an extended time can concentrate minerals and impurities like lead in the water.)
Note that bottled water isn't necessarily sterile, and neither is water that's been run through a filter. In fact, filters — in pitchers or on faucets — that aren't changed often enough can harbor bacteria. You can buy sterilized bottled water, but make sure the label specifies that.
You might also talk with your healthcare provider about the water quality in your area and ask her whether she thinks it's necessary to boil the water for your baby's formula, since water quality varies.
Only mix what you can use within 24 hours, and toss any leftovers
Based on how much formula your baby needs, mix only what you think you'll use in the next 24 hours. Once you've mixed powdered or liquid concentrate formula, refrigerate it immediately, don't let it cool outside the refrigerator first, and use it within 24 hours.
Follow the storage directions on the can of liquid formula once you open it. Some companies recommend covering the can and using the remaining formula within 24 hours; others suggest using it within 48 hours.
If your baby doesn't finish a bottle of formula within one hour, toss out the remainder. Bacteria from his mouth can seep into the bottle, contaminate the formula, and make your baby sick if he drinks it later.
Tip: To prevent waste and save time, mix a large batch of formula in the morning and divide it into bottles of 3 or 4 ounces that you can refrigerate and use throughout the day.
Keep it cool
Room temperature is the perfect climate for breeding germs in milk, so feed warmed formula to your baby right away, don't heat it up ahead of time, and toss any formula that has been sitting at room temperature for an hour or more. If you're taking your baby's bottle "to go," store it in an insulated lunch pack, ideally with an ice pack.
Learn the symptoms of food-borne illness
The most common symptoms of a food-borne illness are vomiting and diarrhea. If you notice these symptoms, call your baby's doctor right away. Food-borne illnesses can be very serious, particularly in babies, leading to dehydration, kidney failure, and even death.
If you have a problem with infant formula, report it immediately
Occasionally infant formula is recalled because of potential contamination, so it's a good idea to keep up with breaking news and product recalls.
If you have a complaint or concern about infant formula, especially if you suspect formula has made your baby sick, call the
source from http://www.babycenter.com
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