Sterilizing Bottles and Nipples

Bottles, nipples, caps and any other equipment that will come in contact with the formula or your baby must be thoroughly washed and then sterilized before use.

Babies' immune systems are not fully developed and they are more susceptible to germs than adults and even older children.

How to sterilize bottles:

1. Place bottles, caps and nipples in a large pot
2. Cover completely with water
3. Bring to the boil and boil for five minutes
4. Turn off the heat and allow to cool
5. Remove bottles etc. with tongs. Invert nipples onto bottles and seal with cap and disc.
6. Allow bottles to cool then store in the refrigerator.

Boil equipment every 24 hours whether used or unused.

Preparing Infant Formula

The safest method for making up formula is to make it in the bottle, one bottle at a time because there is less chance of contamination. If there is a mistake in mixing the amounts of powder and water then the mistake is confined to one bottle.

• Wash your hands and kitchen counters thoroughly.
• Always use boiled water to make up formula and always allow water to cool before adding formula powder, so that heat sensitive vitamins are not destroyed. Bottled and filtered water are not sterilized and must be boiled before using.
• Bottles and nipples must be sterilized before each use. Allow to dry before filling.
• Make up bottles by pouring the correct amount of cooled boiled water into each bottle then adding the required number of scoops. Always use the exact scoop as supplied in the formula can and use the flat side of a sterilized knife to level off each scoop. Never use your finger to level off the scoop.
• Add the correct number of scoops to the water.
• Seal the bottle and shake gently to mix.
• Store any prepared formula at the back of the fridge where it is coldest.
• Throw out any unused formula after 24 hours.