Preparing a bottle for a newborn is a pretty simple thing, especially when you are used to it. The steps to prepare it depend on how you are feeding the baby: formula, liquid or breast milk. Regardless of what type of milk you use, the important thing is to make sure you maintain a high level of hygiene and store your bottles properly to avoid contamination.
Steps
Part 1 of 6: Prepare the Bottle in the Right Hygienic Conditions
Step 1. Check the expiration date
If you are using packaged milk, check the expiration date before using it. If it's expired, throw it away. Infants 'immune systems are not as strong as adults', so they are more sensitive to the food-borne problems that expired milk might cause.
- If you have a closed but expired bottle of formula, try taking it back to the supermarket - many will replace it with a new one for free.
- If you give your baby breast milk, you should always label it with the express date to make sure it's not too old. Breast milk can be stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours and in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Step 2. Do not buy damaged packaging
When buying infant formula, make sure the packages are not damaged. Even a small flaw in the packaging can cause dangerous bacteria to enter the milk.
- While a small dent may seem like a trifle, it can spoil the product if the inner layer of the package is damaged.
- If the milk is sold in pouches, do not use any swollen or leaking pouches.
Step 3. Wash your hands thoroughly and clean the surrounding surfaces
Your hands can carry a lot of dangerous bacteria, so wash them well before handling the bottle. Even domestic surfaces, such as the kitchen worktop, can host pathogens; so, before you begin, be sure to clean all surfaces you will be using.
Step 4. Make sure you clean all parts of the bottle well
Before using a bottle or teat for the first time, sterilize them in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. For subsequent uses, you should wash each part thoroughly with soap and water or in the dishwasher.
You can also buy a specially made tool for sterilizing baby bottles. Some experts recommend sterilizing the bottle before each use
Step 5. Sterilize the water used for the bottles
If you are using formula milk that requires water to be added, a good idea is to sterilize it before adding it to the mixture. Boil the water for 5 minutes. Then, let it cool for no more than 30 minutes before pouring it into the bottle.
- Do not use water that has been previously boiled and allowed to cool.
- Avoid artificially softened water as it may contain too much sodium.
- Bottled water isn't always sterile, so you should boil it just like you would tap water.
- If you use boiled water to make a bottle, you need to make sure it has cooled down sufficiently before adding it to the milk to prevent the baby from getting burned. You can check the temperature of the mixture by pouring a few drops on the inside of the wrist.
- If the packaging of bottled water says it is sterile, it will not need to be boiled.
Part 2 of 6: Prepare a Baby Bottle with Powdered Milk
Step 1. Pour the sterilized water into the bottle
Start preparing the bottle by pouring the right amount of sterile water into the bottle. If you are unsure of the amount of water to add, check the instructions on the package for the correct dosage.
Always pour in the water first and then add the powder. It will help you prepare the right quantities
Step 2. Add the powder
Check the instructions on the milk package to find out how much powder you need to add to the water. A ratio of milk scoops to centiliters of water should be indicated. Each brand has its own doses.
- Always use the measuring cup that you find in the package. It is not necessary to crush the powder in the measuring cup; simply immerse the measuring cup and level the contents using a clean knife or a suitable tool (if included in the package).
- It is really important to add the right amount of powder to the bottle. Too much could cause dehydration in the newborn, if too little the little one could suffer from malnutrition.
Step 3. Close the bottle and shake it
Once you have added the water and powder, put on the teat, the ring and the lid. Make sure it is tightly closed and then shake the bottle vigorously. Once the powder is completely dissolved, the bottle will be ready to be served or stored.
Part 3 of 6: Prepare a Baby Bottle with Liquid Milk
Step 1. Check if the liquid milk is concentrated
There are two types of liquid milk: concentrated and ready to drink. Read the instructions on the package carefully to find out what type of milk you have purchased. This is very important, because you will have to add water if it is concentrated milk.
Step 2. Shake the can
Regardless of the type of milk, it is a good idea to shake the package before pouring the milk into the bottle. In this way the milk will be well mixed, without leaving any deposits on the bottom.
Step 3. Pour the desired amount into the bottle
After shaking the container well, open it and pour the milk into the clean bottle of the baby bottle.
- Remember that if you are using concentrated milk, you will need to add water and therefore you will pour less milk into the bottle. On the package you can find the right dose for different portions.
- If you do not use all the packaging, close it and store it in the refrigerator. Follow the storage instructions on the package.
Step 4. Add sterilized water to the concentrated milk
If you are using a concentrated formula, you need to dilute the milk with sterilized water before giving it to the baby. Each brand is different, so follow the instructions on the package to find out how much water to add.
If the milk is described as "ready to drink", do not add any water
Step 5. Close the bottle and shake well
After pouring in the milk and water (only if you use the concentrated one), screw the teat on and put the lid on the bottle. Make sure it is closed tightly and shake vigorously. At this point the bottle is ready to be served or stored.
Part 4 of 6: Prepare a Baby Bottle with Breast Milk
Step 1. Obtain breast milk manually
If you want to feed your baby with breast milk but cannot breastfeed, you will need to prepare it in advance and keep it until you are ready to give it to the baby. If you only do this occasionally, you can pump the milk out of your breasts manually.
- Place your thumb over the areola and two fingers just below the nipple. Then apply pressure towards the chest and turn your fingers towards the nipple.
- You can collect the milk in the bottle you will use for breastfeeding or in another container. If you are going to store milk, be sure to put it in a closed container in the refrigerator.
Step 2. Use a breast pump
If you use the bottle often, it will be more convenient to use a breast pump to draw breast milk: the operation is much faster.
- There are manual and electric breast pumps.
- Most breast pumps come with baby bottles or special containers that can be directly attached to the instrument to make it easier to collect the milk.
- Always read the instructions, to make sure you use it correctly.
- You can inquire to find out if it is possible to rent the breast pump, if you do not want to buy it.
- Clean your breast pump thoroughly before using it.
Step 3. Transfer the milk to a clean bottle and close it
If you are using a different container to catch the milk, pour the liquid into the bottle, then screw the teat on. If you intend to keep it, close the bottle with the lid and put it in the refrigerator.
Part 5 of 6: Warming the Bottle
Step 1. Decide if you want to warm the bottle
It is not necessary, but some parents do it because their babies prefer a warm bottle. If your little one likes it, there's nothing wrong with giving him a cold or room temperature bottle.
- Do not leave the bottle with milk out of the fridge for more than two hours.
- Breast milk can be stored at room temperature for up to 6 hours, although it would be better to put it in the refrigerator after 4 hours at the latest.
Step 2. Heat the bottle in a bowl of hot water
If you decide to heat the milk, an easy way to do this is to put the bottle in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes. The water must be very hot, but not hot.
Place the bottle in the center of the bowl, making sure the water level roughly matches the level of the milk in the bottle
Step 3. Use a bottle warmer
An even more practical way to warm milk is to buy an electric bottle warmer. To use it, simply insert the bottle into the instrument and turn it on. It will take 4 to 6 minutes to heat it up.
For travel you can buy a small portable battery-powered bottle warmer
Step 4. Heat the bottle under running water
You need to hold the bottle under the tap for a few minutes. The water needs to be hot but not boiling, or you risk getting burned.
Step 5. Avoid using the microwave to heat the bottle
It might seem like the simplest solution, but you should avoid it at all costs. In the microwave oven, the milk will not heat evenly, creating very hot spots that your baby could get burned with.
Step 6. Check the temperature of the milk before serving
Regardless of the method chosen to heat the bottle, it is always advisable to check the temperature of the milk before giving it to the baby. Pour a few drops of milk on the inside of your wrist. It must not be too cold or too hot.
- If it is at the right temperature, you can give it to the little one.
- If it's too hot, let it cool down a bit before serving.
- If it feels cold, reheat it until it becomes lukewarm.
Part 6 of 6: Storing the Bottles for Later Meals
Step 1. If possible, avoid storing milk
The best way to prevent the bottle from being contaminated is to prepare it when it is needed. If possible, do not prepare the milk in advance.
If you are forced to store milk in the bottle, place it as close as possible to the back of the refrigerator, where the temperature always remains cold
Step 2. Store breast milk in the fridge or freezer
If you need to store breast milk for later meals, you can keep it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. If you do not use it within this period, freeze it in a plastic container with a lid or in a breast milk bag.
- If the baby has been hospitalized, follow your pediatrician's directions on how to store breast milk - they may advise against this.
- If you use a built-in freezer in the fridge, you can store milk for no more than a month. If you use a freezer, the time extends to 3-6 months. The longer it stays in the freezer, the more the milk will lose its nutrients, so use it as soon as possible.
- Thaw frozen milk in the refrigerator or immerse it in a bowl of warm water. Once thawed, do not refreeze it.
- Write the date of freezing on the container, so that you do not accidentally use milk that has been stored for too long.
Step 3. You can store liquid infant formula in the fridge for up to 48 hours
Both concentrated and ready to drink can stay in the fridge for up to 24-48 hours. Storage times and methods vary depending on the brand.
Always read and follow the storage instructions on the package. If the manufacturer recommends keeping it in the fridge for no more than 24 hours, don't store it for longer
Step 4. Find a safe place to store infant formula
Temperatures that are too extreme (hot or cold) can deteriorate the formula, so try to store the milk powder in a place where the temperature remains constant between 12 and 24 ° C. Keep packages away from direct sources of heat or cooling.
Once you have opened a can of powdered milk, it is best to consume the contents within a month
Step 5. Bring unmixed powdered milk when traveling
If you are going to be out and about when you need to breastfeed, you can make a baby bottle freshly using powdered milk. Boil and let the water cool in advance and place it in a sealed bottle. Then, measure the right amount of milk powder and place it in a sterile container. When it's time to breastfeed, pour the powder into the bottle and shake it.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before mixing milk and water.
- If you are outdoors and the weather is hot, it will be best to put both the bottle and the container with the powdered milk in a cooler bag with synthetic ice inside wrapped in a napkin. Remember they don't have to get cold - you just need to keep them from overheating.
- Storing the water and milk powder separately is better than storing the mixture, as the powder may form lumps during storage.
Step 6. Do not store a leftover bottle
If your baby doesn't finish a bottle within an hour, throw away any leftover milk, whether it's formula or breast milk. The bacteria present in the baby's mouth can end up in the bottle and proliferate during storage in the fridge. They can become dangerous for the baby's health.
Advice
The powder dissolves best in hot water
Warnings
- Do not give the baby cow's milk until after the first year of age.
- If you're not sure if a bottle is safe for your baby, throw it away.
