How do you prepare formula?

Question

I have been breastfeeding my daughter for the past seven months, recently I have been considering supplementing with formula. I have never made a bottle of formula. (My first child). At the risk of sounding like an idiot, what is the best way to prepare a bottle of formula? How do you heat it up with out heating it too much? How do you know if it is heated too much? What if you're out in public, shopping or something... how do you heat it up?

Answer 1

You can try a cup at 7 months if she has never had a bottle. You don't need to heat it up at this age either. If it is liquid formula just follow the directions on the can. You can buy pre- made formula but it pricey. Your daughter should be starting to get nutrition from food now so her formula intake should drop anyway. Good luck!

Answer 2

I have a 9 month old that nursed and started on formula around 5 months. We use bottled water at room temperature. We don't warm it up because the water is room temp. We don't prepare any bottles in advance either, so no need to reheat refridgerated formula. I have read that if you did not heat it the baby would not become accustomed to a certain higher temperature, because then you would have problems switching them to regular milk at 1. We have kinda tweaked our formula and we use 7oz water to 3 full scoops of formula. It prepares about an 8oz bottle. The 1 scoop to 2 oz water can cause severe constipation. Also, just be sure to use all prepared formula within an hour to hour and a half and also to not store formula in a bottle that the baby has already drank from. Both of these can cause harmful bacteria.
If you are still interested in heating it you can get a bottle warmer for about 15-20 dollars at Target or Walmart.

Answer 3

It's not a stupid question! They barely tell you anything on the back of the container. The way I do it, I use sterilized bottled baby water, measure out the right amount with the scoop that comes with it, screw the nipple and cap on, then shake it up really well.

I use a steam bottle warmer. You can get one at Target, Kmart, Baby Depot, Babies R' Us, or about anywhere that sells baby stuff. You can also just put it in a bowl with hot water, but that can take awhile. Just never put it in the microwave because that can cause hot spots and burn the baby! Shake it up really well when it's done heating and test it on the inside of your wrist. If it stings at all, it's too warm. Let it sit, or run it under cold water for a few seconds.

It's hard to find a place to warm a bottle when you're out and about. My daughter just takes it at room temperature. Otherwise, if you can find a clean sink to run it under hot water, that would work too.

Just make sure you throw out any formula that isn't eaten within one hour. It's best to mix the bottles right before you feed the baby because formula doesn't keep like breast milk.

Try Babycenter.com for any other questions that you have about your baby. They have tons of info. Good luck to you in your little one!

Answer 4

Formula cans will come with instructions on how to make the formula.

If your daughter is a healthy 7 month old, she does not need sterilization, as she should be at the stage where everything goes into her mouth!

You can actually mix the powder with warm water, or you may use a bottle warmer.

You will learn, with experience, how much to heat up the bottle. Put a little drop of heated formula on the inside of your wrist to make sure it is not too hot.

Different babies like different temperatures. My daughter prefers things on the cool side, but as a pediatric nurse I have worked with babies who like them very warm.

When out in public you can take warm water in a thermos. You can also heat up a bottle in a warm water bath. Ask at the food court for a large cup filled with hot water, place the baby bottle in there, and wait till it warms up! (Make sure the top of the bottle is out of the water).

Answer 5

I nursed too, but when I supplemented, I took a bottle and filled it with nursery water (Walgreens carrys it and some supermarkets) and then poured the formula into plastic snack sized baggies for the amount of bottle you are making (6oz, 8oz etc). Then when you were ready to feed your baby all you need to do is combine the two and the water ia already room temperature. You can also buy ready made formula in the cans, but that is more expensive.

Answer 6

On the back of the can of formula it tells you how to measure how many ounces of formula you want to use liquid or powder. The bottle doesn't have to be that warm. Only to get the chill out. If you are out shopping or something..just run the bottle under hot water for about a minute. You should be fine.

Answer 7

on the can will have the way to make the formula, as for heating it up; put bottle in bowl boil water tip in bowl wait few mintues squeeze sum formula onto the inside of ur wrist if u cant really feel it then its PERFECT, if u feel it cold put it back in for a lil, if its hot run under cold water.
as for waming it up while ur shopping u should go shopping after a feed or top baby up before u leave.
DONT use microwave to heat up bottle..it heats it unevenly and can scold ur baby

Answer 8

Haha betcha breastfeeding sounds a lot more convenient right about now.

DO NOT use fluoridated water to make infant formula:
http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/positions/statements/fluoride_infants.asp

ADA Interim Guidance: Infant Formula

The ADA offers these recommendations so parents, caregivers and health care professionals who are concerned have some simple and effective ways to reduce fluoride intake from reconstituted infant formula.

Breast milk is widely acknowledged as the most complete form of nutrition for infants. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends human milk for all infants (except for the few for whom breastfeeding is determined to be harmful).


For infants who get most of their nutrition from formula during the first 12 months, ready-to-feed formula is preferred to help ensure that infants do not exceed the optimal amount of fluoride intake.


If liquid concentrate or powdered infant formula is the primary source of nutrition, it can be mixed with water that is fluoride free or contains low levels of fluoride to reduce the risk of fluorosis. Examples are water that is labeled purified, demineralized, deionized, distilled or reverse osmosis filtered water. Many grocery stores sell these types of drinking water for less than $1 per gallon.


The occasional use of water containing optimal levels of fluoride should not appreciably increase a child’s risk for fluorosis.
Parents and caregivers should consult with their pediatrician, family physician or dentist on the most appropriate water to use in their area to reconstitute infant formula. Ask your pediatrician or family physician whether water used in infant formula should be sterilized first (sterilization, however, will not remove fluoride).

Answer 9

Start with the water in the bottle, then add the powder to it (following measuring on the package). I mix all of mine the night before and store them in the fridge. That way I can use really hot water when I mix it (helps eliminate clumping). Heating, I use the microwave and do 35 seconds for a 5 oz bottle, and then make sure to gently remix it so eliminate hot spots. You can test it on your wrist to make sure its not too hot. Out in public I use just room temperature water which I bring from home premeasured in the bottle (on occasion I have asked a restaurant to nuke it for a few seconds for me).

Answer 10

You can buy it already prepared...and if your out shopping just pour it in a bottle and feed her. If she is 7 months old and the formula is not cold just room temp you shouldnt have to warm it.