Clean & sterilize

Preparing powdered infant formula

Cool quickly and feed immediately

Refrigerate feeds you want to use later

Throw out left-overs

Clean and sterilize all feeding andpreparation equipmentbefore using it.

Why? Cleaning and sterilizingkills harmful bacteria onequipment that may grow in the feed once it is prepared.

Preparing formulain care settingsFor infants at greatest risk, use sterile liquid infant formula.

Use water that is nocooler than 70ºC/158ºF.

Why? This temperature willkill harmful bacteria that may be present in powdered formula.

Once a feed isprepared, quickly coolto feeding temperatureand feed immediately.

Why? The longer a feed iskept after it is prepared, thegreater the chance that harmfulbacteria will grow in it.

If you need to storefeeds for use later - putthem in the refrigerator(5ºC/41ºF or less).

Why? Low temperatures (5ºC/41ºF or less) will slow down or stop the growth of harmfulbacteria.

Throw out feed that has not been consumedwithin two hours.

Throw out refrigeratedfeed that has not beenused within 24 hours.

Why? The longer a feed is keptafter it is prepared, the greater thechance that harmful bacteria willgrow in it. Storing feeds in therefrigerator means that you canstore them for a little bit longer.

Powdered infantformula should be preparedwith water thatis no cooler than70ºC after boiling.

© World Health Organization, 2007

This poster was prepared in collaboration with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.

Boil water and mix with formula powder within 30 minutes.*

* Taking care to avoid scalds, pour the appropriate amount of boiled water that has been allowed to cool to no less than 70 °C, into a cleaned and sterilized feeding cup or bottle. To achieve this temperature, the water should be left for no more than 30 minutes after boiling. Mix formula exactly as directed. Use by expiration date. Check www.foodsafety.org for recalls.

This document is published by the Department of Food Safety, Zoonoses and Foodborne Diseases, WHO, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). E-mail: foodsafety@who.int, Web site: www.who.int/foodsafety

New Safety AdvicePowdered infant formula is not sterile*.

Follow the instructions on the next page for preparing powdered infant formula safely. Use these techniques to bottle feed your baby and emulate breastfeeding:

• Feed when the baby shows hunger cues such as rapid eye movement, sucking on fingers or hands (crying is the last sign of hunger)

• Feed in a slight upright or side-lying position

• Switch from one arm to hold the baby to the other arm to hold the baby like a breastfeeding mother would do

• Allow the baby to control the feeding. Have the infant draw the nipple into the mouth rather than you pushing the nipple into the infant’s mouth

• When the baby’s swallowing slows down, or the baby squirms or pushes the nipple out with his tongue, burp the baby and offer more milk

• Finish the feeding when the baby is not showing hunger cues. Do not force the baby to finish every drop. Discard whatever milk the baby does not finish

It may contain bacteria that can cause serious illness in infants. By preparing and storing powdered infant formula correctly, you can reduce the risk of illness.

This leaflet contains new information to help you prepare bottle feeds from powdered infant formula as safely as possible.

Breast is best

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. Babies who are exclusively breastfed will get the best start for growth, development and health. Infants who are not breast fed need a suitable breast-milk substitute, for example, infant formula.

*FAO/WHO. 2007. Safe preparation, storage and handling of powdered infant formula guidelines. Available at: http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/micro/pif2007/en