After the exclusive breastfeeding period ends, giving infant formula becomes a choice for many parents to help meet their child’s nutritional needs.
However, it is crucial to understand the correct way to prepare infant formula so that its nutrients remain optimal and safe for consumption.
From choosing the right water, such as whether it is fine to prepare formula using only AQUA bottled water, to correctly measuring and mixing the formula, everything needs to be done carefully.
Small mistakes, such as mixing formula with water that is too hot or too cold, can affect its nutritional quality and your baby’s digestive comfort.
Learn the proper steps for preparing baby formula, especially for infants aged 0–6 months, so that formula feeding is safer and your child’s health is maintained.
Read more now to ensure every bottle you prepare is always safe and meets your baby’s needs.
How to Prepare Infant Formula Properly
After making sure all equipment has been sterilized, it is time to learn how to correctly prepare baby formula. The general steps are as follows:
1. Clean the Surrounding Area and Your Hands
Not only should the feeding equipment and your hands be clean, but also the surface where you will prepare the formula. Spray disinfectant on the table, then wipe it with a clean cloth. After that, wash your hands with soap and dry them thoroughly.
2. Prepare the Baby Feeding Equipment
If the sterilization process has been completed, all baby feeding equipment is ready to use. If not, follow the sterilization steps first as explained earlier. Then place the baby bottle on a clean and disinfected surface, such as a table.
3. Botol Pour Hot Water and Formula Powder into the Bottle
The correct way to prepare infant formula is to add hot water first. Always make sure to use high-quality boiled water for babies, such as AQUA that has been boiled until it reaches boiling point and then cooled to around 70°C.
This step is intended to kill bacteria (such as Salmonella or Cronobacter) that may be present in formula powder, without damaging the nutritional content of the milk. [2]
Next, read and follow the instructions on the formula packaging, then check whether the water level is correct. The amount of formula powder should be adjusted according to the instructions, as each brand has different preparation guidelines.
4. Attach the Nipple to the Bottle
The next step is to securely attach the nipple and quickly close the bottle cap. Then shake the bottle until all the formula powder is completely dissolved. This is especially important if you are wondering how to prepare formula without it forming lumps.
5. Cool the Bottle
The next step is to cool the bottle. Freshly prepared formula is usually very hot. Let it cool until it becomes slightly warm so it is safe for the baby to drink. For a faster method, you can place the bottle under running cold water for a few seconds.
6. Check the Temperature of the Bottle
The next step in properly preparing infant formula is to ensure the bottle is warm and not too hot. Once the temperature is suitable for consumption, you can immediately give it to your baby.
7. Make Sure the Milk Is Finished
Also make sure the milk is fully consumed by your baby. If it is not finished right away, there are two options. First, you can store the remaining milk at 2°C and give it again within 24 hours. However, if you do not have storage that maintains this temperature, it is better not to reuse the leftover milk [2].
Read also: 6 Ways to Maintain Family Health, Try Implementing Them!
Recommended Infant Formula Measurements
The amount of infant formula should be adjusted according to the baby’s age:
Formula amount for 1-month-old babies:
A 1-month-old baby has a very small stomach, so the recommended amount is 45–90 ml every 2–3 hours.
Formula amount for 2-month-old babies:
As the baby grows, the stomach size also increases. For 2-month-old babies, the amount increases to around 90–120 ml, with feeding every 3–4 hours.
Formula amount for 4-month-old babies:
Since the baby is already bigger and more active, their increased movement means they need more milk. It is recommended to feed around 120–200 ml.
Formula amount for 6-month-old babies:
At this age, babies gradually start eating solid foods, and the frequency of milk feeding becomes about 180–230 ml, 4–5 times a day.
Formula amount for 7–12-month-old babies:
As babies eat more solid complementary foods (MPASI), milk feeding is given in amounts of around 200–240 ml, with a frequency of 4–6 times a day.
3 Important Things Before Preparing Infant Formula
Before discussing further how to prepare infant formula for babies, it is important to understand that all equipment, including bottles, nipples, and caps, must be thoroughly cleaned.
This is essential to prevent the entry of bacteria, which can be harmful to your baby and may cause diarrhea. So, start by following the WHO (World Health Organization) recommended method for properly preparing infant formula [1]:
1. Cleaning
Properly preparing infant formula is not only about the correct measurements, but also about cleanliness. Since a baby’s immune system is not yet as strong as an adult’s, this first step is the most important thing to pay attention to. The steps are as follows:
- Wash your hands with soap and running water, then dry them with a clean cloth.
- Prepare all baby feeding equipment, then wash everything using a mixture of soap and hot water.
- To ensure no milk residue remains, use a special brush (previously cleaned) to scrub the inside and outside of the nipple.
- Rinse thoroughly under running water.
2. Sterilization
Cleaned equipment should be sterilized first using a special device or a bottle sterilizer. However, if your baby’s bottle and other equipment are safe to boil, you can sterilize them yourself using the following method:
- Prepare a large pot and fill it with about 1 liter of water.
- Place all baby feeding equipment into the pot, making sure everything is fully submerged in water and that no air bubbles are trapped.
- Cover the pot tightly, then turn on low heat (preferably at around 70°C) and let it boil or heat for about 30 minutes.
3. Storage
This final step is just as important as the previous two stages. From now on, store baby feeding equipment in the following way:
- Wash and dry your hands before handling previously sterilized equipment. If you use tools to handle the equipment, make sure they are also sterilized first.
- Assemble the baby bottle properly, then store it in a very clean place to prevent contamination of both the inside and outside of the equipment.
So, Is It Allowed to Prepare Infant Formula Using AQUA?
From the explanation above about how to properly prepare infant formula, you may be wondering whether it is fine to use AQUA water to make it. The answer is yes, of course!
In fact, both regular water and AQUA water can be used to prepare milk for your baby, as long as they are first boiled at a minimum temperature of 70°C for about 10 minutes until fully boiled. After that, you can use it to prepare the formula.
AQUA consistently maintains its purity through 400 parameters before it reaches consumers, ensuring its quality is truly well preserved.
That is the complete guide on how to properly prepare infant formula. By following the steps above, you can help ensure optimal nutritional intake for your little one.
Lastly, don’t forget to always #AQUADULU, the drinking water of healthy people, so you can stay focused on giving the best for your family at home. Have you prepared AQUA at home?
