Water that hasn't been boiled can also contain bacteria. Formula therefore needs to be made up with water hot enough to kill the bacteria, which is at least 70 degrees C. This means boiling the kettle and leaving it to cool for no longer than 30 minutes, so that it remains at a temperature of at least 70 degrees C.
For a bottle of formula, prepared at 70°C to cool to a safe temperature of approximately 37°C, it will need to sit for at least 30 minutes, possibly longer. This may allow bacteria time to multiply and is contradictory to usual safety advice for any other foods.
To reduce the risk of infection, it's best to make up feeds 1 at a time, as your baby needs them. Use freshly boiled drinking water from the tap to make up a feed. Do not use artificially softened water or water that has been boiled before. Leave the water to cool in the kettle for no more than 30 minutes.
Boil water, even if it is bottled water. Let the water cool (for no more than 30 minutes) and pour it into a cleaned and sterilized bottle. Add the exact recommended amount of powdered formula to the water. Assemble the bottle and mix the powdered formula thoroughly.
The CDC receives reports of about five infections per year. Moreover, Corkins said, adding formula powder to boiling water tends to clump up and make it tough to mix. Certain vitamins and proteins can denature at high temperatures as well.
It is completely fine to serve your baby's formula cold that is cold or at room temperature, although not all babies are going to want to consume it this way. Getting your little one used to drinking cold formula may take a few tries, but with time and consistency, most babies will adjust to formula feeding this way.
Fill your hot water bottle with boiling water that has been allowed to cool down to a safe temperature. Fill the water to no more than three quarters capacity. Do not use boiling water as this can damage the seams of the bottle and adds to the risk of burns.
It's fine to feed your baby cool or even cold formula. It's all up to your baby's preference – they may prefer it warm, at room temperature, or even chilled, and all of those options are just fine. Some parents like to give their baby warm formula because it's closer to the temperature of breast milk.
you have to add the formula to boiling water as the formula is not sterile, you could add a shot of boiling water to formula and then top up with previously boiled water, but you have to be meticulous with measurements.
Therefore four months has been chosen as the age for discontinuing the sterilization of water.
Dr. Winkelmann says the biggest risk of feeding your baby incorrectly mixed formula is that they could develop problems with the balance of salt and other electrolytes in their body, which can be dangerous.
Once the water is boiled, leave it to cool, then pour into a sterilised container, cover and put into the fridge. This is your supply of cooled, boiled water to use for the whole day. Keep only for 24 hours.
Overfeeding can occur if baby receives regular strength infant formula or breast milk, or high-energy feeds. A baby might overfeed due to circumstances that affect his ability to self-regulate his milk intake (decide for himself how much to eat).
Use prepared formula within two hours of mixing and within one hour of starting your baby's feeding. Once you've fed your baby their formula, make sure to discard any formula left over in the bottle. It's no longer safe to be consumed since it's been contaminated with your baby's saliva and can grow unsafe bacteria.
When learning how to prepare bottles for night feeds, the NHS recommends boiling a litre of fresh tap water and pouring it into a previously sterilised bottle. Next, add the correct amount of formula and shake to dissolve the milk powder before cooling the milk to the correct temperature.
Start With One or Two Formula Bottles a Day
If you plan on supplementing one or two bottles a week, it shouldn't affect your breast milk supply. But if you give your child one or two bottles of formula a day, your milk supply will begin to drop.
The water needs to be boiled and at a temperature of at least 70°C when the formula powder is added. If the water is cooler than 70°C, the bacteria that might be present in the formula powder will not be killed.
Ideally prepare formula just before a feed. Some parents choose to make it up ahead of time, but it needs to be stored in the fridge and used within 24 hours. Empty and refill kettle with fresh tap water, then boil and let it cool before use. Pour the water into the bottle first, then add the powder.
The boiling water should kill any bacteria present in the flask. If the flask is full and sealed, the water will stay above 70C for several hours. Make up a fresh feed only when your baby needs it.
If your baby starts a bottle but doesn't finish it within an hour, throw the leftover formula away. Bacteria from your baby's mouth can seep into the bottle, contaminate the formula, and make your baby sick if they drink it later.
The Bottom Line. Generally, boiling water, allowing it to cool and then reboiling it does not present much of a health risk.
Should I fill my hot water bottle from the kettle or tap? Always fill your hot water bottle with water that has been boiled and left to cool in the kettle (or pan) for a minute or two. Using boiling or just boiled water presents a scalding risk from splash back.
Leanne O'Malley recommends that you only use a hot water bottle for a maximum of 2 years after its manufacture. However, you should also regularly check for any holes or signs of damage and then replace it if there are signs of wear and tear.