How to Keep Bottles Sterile for Travel, and Other Formula-Feeding Questions

As a new mom, it’s normal to have formula-feeding questions. If you are very busy, you may have to prepare bottles for your baby when you can’t breastfeed. Or your significant other may want to bond with the baby by feeding them.

There are many things you will have to learn after you have had your baby. Changing diapers, when you should or shouldn’t pick up your child, sleeping and feeding are huge matters. Whether you have decided to breastfeed only part of the time and bottle feed all other times, your baby won’t take your breast or you’re at the point where the baby is weaning off the breast, formula is a good option.

Ask Your Pediatrician Formula-Feeding Questions

It’s important to speak with your baby’s pediatrician and ask them all the formula-feeding questions you have in mind. You should discuss issues that involve cooling boiled water you will use with the formula. You may also want to ask if they recommend that you boil the bottles, nipples, utensils, cups and other instruments you need before using them.

Your doctor may tell you that you need to sterilize all of these items. You should boil water in a clean pot until it comes to a boil and let it cool off immediately at room temperature or cooler before you begin mixing in the formula.

Of course, before you start on the formula mixture, you should always thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Carefully follow the instructions to ensure that you’re using the right amount of formula and water. Use a measuring cup or spoon to add the right amount of water to the bottle and add the powder afterward. Once you have the combination in the bottle, shake well.

How to Make the Formula Bottle

It’s important to make your baby’s formula bottle correctly. You might initially be confused and have formula-feeding questions, but once you have done it a few times, it will be easy. You should use the following steps to get the formula bottle right:

• Wash your hands. It’s absolutely essential that you practice good hygiene before even attempting to prepare the formula bottle. You should also properly prepare, dilute, use and store all the supplies and ingredients needed.
• Follow the instructions on the formula’s label. You are supposed to add water to the bottle first and then add measured powder. Always carefully follow the instructions whether you are supposed to pack the powders into the scoop or if they are unpacked.
• Shake the formula and water mixture well. This ensures that your baby will get the right amount of nutrients. To prevent burns, avoid heating the bottle in the microwave.
• Avoid concentrate formula. Many liquid options fall under this category. Always carefully read the label when you shop.
• Be extra careful. This can help you to avoid making mistakes while preparing your baby’s formula bottle and prevent problems like upset stomach or hunger. If you do believe you’ve made a mistake, throw the formula away and start over.

How to Formula Bottle-Feed Your Baby

One of the biggest formula-feeding questions involves how to give your infant the formula in the bottle. There are certain steps you must take to properly bottle-feed your baby their formula. They include the following:

• Sit somewhere comfortable where your back is supported. A nice rocking chair is good.
• Cradle the baby in the crook of your arm while keeping their head higher than the middle of the body. Cover the baby with a blanket or towel if it’s too chilly in order to keep them comfortable.
• Press the nipple of the bottle to the baby’s lower lip so they instinctively open their mouth. Then, you can tilt the bottle toward the mouth so that the baby can begin to feed.

How to Keep Bottles Sterile While Traveling

Sterilizing your baby’s bottles is also essential if you are traveling. You should do this at least for the first few months of your child’s life so that bacteria, viruses and any other potential germs are eliminated to keep your baby safe. In addition to the bottles themselves, all objects that go into your child’s mouth and those used to prepare food should be sterilized.

There are different ways to sterilize bottles, including the following:

• Boiling water
• Cold water
• Dishwasher
• Electric steam sterilizer
• Microwave
• UV sterilizer

All of these methods are effective at sterilizing your baby’s bottles. The one you ultimately choose depends on your preference and lifestyle. However, if you are actually traveling while sterilizing the bottles, the cold water method might just be the easiest. All you have to do is add the bottles to a large container filled with cold water and add a sterilization tablet or liquid. Electric steam and UV sterilizers are also extremely simple to use.

Once you have done these steps a few times, you will become a master at feeding your baby with formula in a bottle. You will get more of an idea of how your baby feels and can find that this feeding time is also a bonding time for the two of you.