Formula Frequently Asked Questions

Accurate Water Measurement Matters

Taking a little extra time to measure water accurately is crucial—especially for young babies or those with health concerns. Using too much or too little water can lead to constipation, dehydration, or electrolyte imbalances, all of which can make your baby unwell. Only change the water-to-powder ratio if your healthcare professional specifically advises it for your baby’s needs.

Always follow the water-to-powder ratio instructions on your formula tin

While this might seem obvious, it’s easy to overlook. Each formula is carefully designed to provide the right nutrition, and the correct dilution is based on matching the nutrients found in breastmilk. Because scoop sizes and instructions can vary between brands, always check the label before preparing a bottle.

Tips for Measuring Water Correctly:

• Measure Water First: 

  Always pour and measure the water before adding formula powder.
• Understand Bottle Markings: Most baby bottles have measurement markers every 10mL between the main numbered lines. For example, if your bottle shows 120mL and 150mL, and there are three evenly spaced dots in between, these usually indicate 130mL, 140mL, and 150mL.
• Check at Eye Level: To ensure accuracy, make sure the water line is exactly at the marker when viewed at eye level.
• Double-Check if Needed: Remember, bottle measurements can sometimes be a little off. For extra accuracy, you can weigh the water or use a separate measuring jug.

Measuring the right amount of formula powder is important. The formula and dilution ratio is carefully formulated to meet regulations and reflect the nutrition levels found in breastmilk. Incorrect measuring of the powder or purposely deviating from the label guide can lead to issues like electrolyte in-balances, dehydration or constipation. A healthcare professional may advise adjusting dilution due to your baby’s health problems and this is the only circumstance when you should vary from the label directions.

To measure the right amount of formula:

• Use the scoop provided with the formula can.
  Never use a scoop from a different formula tin, such as from a different brand or stage, because the scoop size varies depending on the formula and proportions required.
• Follow Label Directions.
  Adhere to the feeding guide on the can for the recommended powder-to-water ratio.
• Ensure a full but not packed scoop.
  Fill the scoop with powder, ensuring it’s full but not compressed (you’re not making an expresso).
• Precisely Level Off the Powder.
  Many formula cans have an inbuilt lip to facilitate levelling off the powder. If not, use a clean, dry knife for precise levelling.
• Optional Check Weight of Grams per Scoop
  Every formula label indicates the grams of powder in one scoop, so it is possible to check. If you have scales that measure accurately to 0.1g, you can verify the weight. Ensure the container on the scales is clean and accounted for. Note that some household scales may be inaccurate, so use a reliable device.

Thorough mixing of formula powder in the water to a “milky consistency” is important to ensure your baby receives the necessary nutrition.

Mix the powder into the water thoroughly to eliminate any lumps by:

1. Adding the Powder After Water: To minimise clumping on the bottom and sides of the bottle, add the powder to the water, as mentioned above.
2. Tapping and Swirling: Beginning by tapping and swirling the bottle helps to initiate the dispersion of powder into water. This step helps kickstart the mixing process.
3. Shaking Carefully: Shake the bottle, ensuring the lid is securely fastened.
4. Checking for Smooth Consistency: Once properly mixed, the formula should have a smooth consistency resembling milk, with no visible lumps of powder.

•  Swirl or Stir: Instead of shaking, opt for swirling or stirring the formula. While this method may take longer, it ensures thorough mixing without excess bubbles.
•  Tapping: Tap the bottom of a bottle against the bench to help force bubbles to rise to the top, facilitating their removal.
•  Allow Time to Settle: Let the formula sit for a bit before feeding to allow some time for bubbles to dissipate. Even a few minutes will help, or leaving in the fridge for a few hours.

Always pour water in first, for two main reasons:

• Firstly, as it means you can measure the water accurately when using the bottle measurements.
• Secondly, this also helps with dispersion of power in the water & prevents the powder clumping on the sides or bottom of the bottle.

Yes, you can make formula in bulk. However, it is recommended to make formula individually rather than in bulk.

Recommendations:

•  The Australian Infant Feeding Guidelines recommend preparing only one bottle at a time, just before feeding. This is because it is safest for formula to be made just before using, as bacteria does not have time to grow. Additionally, preparing bottles individually ensures accuracy in accordance to the feeding guide on the formula label.
•  The labels of formula also advise that each bottle should be prepared individually, in accordance to the labelling standards.

Consideration if Making Formula in Bulk:

While not recommended, some carers opt to prepare formula in bulk often using a pitcher for convenience.

•  Maintain Correct Dilution: It is crucial to maintain the correct powder-to-water dilution ratio specified on the label. This may require careful calculations. If unsure, consult a healthcare professional or contact the customer enquiry line of the product for guidance.
•  Ensure it is Refrigerated Correctly: Any prepared formula kept in the fridge must be used within a 24 hours period. Therefore, ensure that the amount made will be used within this time. Please also see section on “FAQ Can I keep prepared formula in the fridge” for information on refrigerating formula.

Immediate Use is Best:

• To prevent bacterial growth, it’s safest to prepare formula as needed and use as soon as possible.
• Bacteria Growth Considerations: The longer formula is warm, the more time harmful bacteria have to multiply in the formula.
• Special Considerations: Particular caution is needed with pre-term babies, all younger infants under 3 months old and babies with a weakened immune system.

Safe Timeframes for Using Warm or Room Temperature Formula:

• Australian Guidelines: As per the Australia Infant Feeding Guidelines, formula should be used within 1 hour of preparation if not promptly refrigerated. Any unused formula beyond this time should be discarded.
• New Zealand Guidelines: According to the NZ Healthy Eating Guidelines, formula should be consumed within two hours of preparation if not promptly refrigerated. Discard any remaining formula after this period.

Yes, prepared formula can be stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours. However, there are extra considerations to be aware of when doing this. Below are guidelines and safety measures that are essential to follow.

The Australian Infant Feeding Guidelines and NZ Healthy Eating Guidelines and the standards for labelling advise that this is safe and possible to store formula in the fridge for 24 hours, with the following considerations:

• It is always safer to make the formula when it is needed and use as soon as possible, because bacteria do not have time to grow.
• Before storing formula in the fridge it is best to ensure that it is working properly and cooling to between 0°C and 4°C by getting a fridge thermometer (there are a lot of older fridges that don't cool properly. Canstar Blue have a good detailed article covering fridge temperatures here
• Immediately refrigerate freshly prepared formula, placing it on the bottom shelf at the back, the coldest part of the fridge.
• Do not store formula in the fridge if it has been at room temperature for over an hour or if your baby has consumed some. Introducing bacteria from the baby's mouth accelerates spoilage.
• Formula stored in the fridge must be used within 24 hours of being made. To track, note the date & time by a sticker on the bottle, note clipped to the front of the fridge or a note book (e.g. feed tracker).
• Discard any remaining formula after 24 hours, as bacteria will still grow, just at a slower pace than at room temperature. 

1. Hot Water Method

•  Place bottle in a bowl of hot water until warm (which should take less than 10mins).
•  Alternatively, run hot water from the tap over the bottle until warm.
•  Always test the temperature of the milk before using by dropping some milk on your inner wrist to check it is lukewarm and not hot. A baby’s mouth is very sensitive, so burns more easily.

2. Bottle Warmers

•  Normally take about 10 minutes to warm milk up to an exact temperature
•  Some wrap around the bottle to warm it up, while other make direct contact with the milk and therefore need to be cleaned.

3. Microwave

Using a microwave to heat baby’s milk once it is made is not recommended due to several risks and considerations.

Risks of Microwave Heating:

•  Uneven Heating: Microwaves heat unevenly, leading to hot spots in the milk. These hot spots can scald your baby’s sensitive mouth and throat, even if the temperature seems appropriate.
•  Loss of Nutrients: Overheating in the microwave can result in loss of essential vitamins and probiotics in the milk.
•  Potential Contamination: Not all plastic bottles are microwave-safe and some may release harmful particles into the formula or water.

Considerations if Using a Microwave:

Despite the recommendation against microwave use, some carers still opt to use it. If you choose to do so, take precautions:

• Heat the milk gently on a lower power setting for small time increments.
• Shake the formula well after heating to ensure distribution of heat and eliminate hot spots. Note that clumped powder and fat can mean that even after shaking, hot spots remain.
•  As always, test the temperature of the milk on your wrist before feeding to ensure it is lukewarm and not hot.

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• Firstly, read the can preparation directions for the formula you are using.
• The guidelines in Australia and NZ and the Standards are to wait until the boiled water is cooled to around body temperature of around 37°C, which should feel warm when tested.
• If the water is used while too hot there is not only a risk of burns to you and the baby, it can also reduce the level of essentials vitamins and any probiotics in the formula.
• Most formula powders mix better when the water is still warm rather than cold. It is important that the powder is mixed properly to ensure that optimal nutrition is being given to your baby.
• Note that other countries may advise mixing formula powder with very hot 70°C water. This is not the recommendation in Australian or NZ Guidelines and the Standards for labels. So do not get confused if you read this in books or internet information from other countries like the US or UK. There are also formula making machines available in Australia that do a 70°C hot shot of water with the formula powder.