It is important to make a fresh formula feed when your baby needs it. This is because bacteria can grow in formula milk when it’s stored, even if it has been in the fridge.
Sometimes you will need to feed your baby when you are away from your home. You can use ready-to-feed infant formula milk with an empty sterilised feeding bottle. You might choose to store water in a thermos which has come straight from the kettle, and use this to make up a bottle. If you are using powdered infant formula you need to make sure that you prepare it safely to avoid your baby getting sick.
Powdered Formula Feeds
If you are planning on making up a feed you will need to do a little preparation before you leave home. You will need to make sure you have;
A measured amount of formula powder in a small, clean and dry container.When your baby is ready to have their bottle, you can make up a fresh feed with the hot water. The water must still be hot (above 70°C) when you use it, to remove any bacteria that could be in the formula powder.
Remember to cool the bottle (with the lid on) under cold running water. Always test the milk temperature on the inside of your wrist before you feed it to your baby.
You could use a carton of ready-to-feed liquid baby formula when you're away from home. This is easy, but can be quite expensive if used often.
Once a carton of ready to use formula is open, it must be stored in the fridge straight away and used within 24 hours.
If your baby is less than 28 days old you can contact your local midwifery team or you can contact the Healthy Child Service team at any time following your baby's birth by calling Just One Number on 0300 300 0123 or texting Parentline on 07520 631590.
Our opening hours are 8am-6pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.
Norfolk Healthy Child Service has a team of infant feeding champions who can contact you by video call/telephone initially to discuss your questions and refer you to further help if required. All of our staff are trained to Unicef standards to provide you with the best possible breastfeeding support and advice.
It may help in the first instance to read the Essential Guide to Feeding & Caring for your Baby.
Norfolk’s Early Childhood and Family Service (ECFS) offers support for all parents and carers with children aged 0 to 5 years.
To speak to other Norfolk parents and carers, you can join our online community forum below.
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