Sharon here again! What should I understand about making and keeping baby formula? How many scoops of formula for 6 Oz is needed?
Baby formulas come in a variety of forms, including powder, concentrated, and ready-to-feed. Be aware of how to safely store pre-mixed infant formula. I know when I was a new parent, this was a stressor for me, as I always would second guess myself when preparing the mixture.
Table of Contents
- Things To Know Before Starting
- Steps For Making Powdered Baby Formula
- Steps For Making Liquid Concentrate Infant Formula
- Steps For Making Ready-to-feed Infant Formula
- How To Properly Store Infant Formula
- Sharon’s Final Thoughts
Happy tidings! Instructions for preparing a bottle of powdered, ready-to-use, or concentrated formula are typically included on the packaging. If you are wondering about these things then read on for more information on how to properly store and prepare your formula.
Things To Know Before Starting
Preparing formulas requires a high level of attention to hygiene. Because your infant’s immune system is still maturing, you should take precautions to limit his or her exposure to microorganisms.
Verify the Use-By or Expiration Date
Take note of the ‘Expiration Date’ and/or ‘Use By’ date on the formula box. Avoid using formula past its Use By or Expiration date, as doing so may compromise the quality or quantity of nutrients contained inside. Make sure there are no dents or corrosion on the cans or containers.
Use Only Clean Bottles And Tools In A Clean Environment
Before touching infant bottles or formula, make sure your hands and the counter are clean. Before utilizing the bottles for the first time, it’s a good idea to sterilize them and all of their components.
The products only need a five-minute boil in water before being safe to handle. Otherwise, use hot soapy water to thoroughly clean and then rinse the bottles, bottle liners, and nipples. Any inaccessible areas can be cleaned with the use of a specialized bottlebrush.
Steps For Making Powdered Baby Formula
The powdered formula is typically mixed with 2 ounces of water in each scoop.
Remember To Fill The Bottle With Water First, Every Time
If water is needed, get it ready first. Keep in mind that you should only use the recommended amounts of water while preparing infant formula. Remember, the formula should only be made in even-numbered ounces. This is because a half-scoop of powdered formula can be too much or too little, depending on how much you mix.
Make a 6-ounce batch of formula by combining 3 scoops of powder with 6 ounces of water, then divide the mixture evenly between two bottles. Hold off feeding your infant until you’ve finished one (or both) of these.
The Formula Can Be Added Once The Bottle Is Prepared
Tap the scoop on the canister to level it, or use a knife to remove the lid. You don’t want it to be too squishy, but neither should it be too empty. 6 Each type of baby formula has a different-sized scoop, so be sure to only use the one that came with your bottle.
How Many Scoops Of Formula For 6 Oz?
The majority of companies adhere to a standard recipe: Add one full scoop of powdered baby formula for every two ounces of liquid. So that means six ounces should have 3 scoops of powder.
Once The Bottle Is Sealed, Give The Formula A Good Shake
It is typical for some formulations to produce more suds or foam than others. You can either give it to the infant immediately, or you can store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. I had Bobby, who was notorious for pretending to be hungry, then not even touching his bottle. So I got it in the fridge quickly to avoid wasting it.
Powdered Infant Formula Is Prepared In Batches
The powdered formula can be prepared in advance for up to 24 hours. You should make the bottles one at a time, cover them, and keep them in the fridge until your baby is ready to drink. Toss the formula after 24 hours.
Important Tips for Making Powdered Formula
Your baby’s doctor or nutritionist may suggest using a different formula preparation recipe if he or she has unique medical needs or was born prematurely.
Most of the time, the formula should be prepared first, and then combined with the breast milk. Unless otherwise instructed, do not use breast milk as a liquid while preparing the formula.
Steps For Making Liquid Concentrate Infant Formula
Many times, a one-to-one ratio is used while making up a concentrate mix (equal amounts of water and formula). Never assume anything; always check the concentrate formula’s packaging for specific preparation instructions.
- The top of the can of concentrated infant formula should be cleaned and dried before use. Before opening, give the can a good shake.
- Transfer the concentrated solution to a new container. The recipe is condensed, so you’ll only need 2 ounces for a 4-ounce bottle.
- Make sure you put in enough water. It’s best to give the bottle a good shake before using it. Babies can be fed immediately, or the mixture can be stored in the fridge for up to 48 hours.
- The concentrate can be stored for up to 48 hours if refrigerated in an airtight container.
Steps For Making Ready-to-feed Infant Formula
The most convenient kind of formula is the ready-to-feed one, but it also happens to be the most pricy. They can be purchased in smaller 2-, 6-, or 8-ounce servings, or in a larger 1-quart (32-ounce) container.
- If transferring to a new bottle, remove the bottle nipple from the single-use bottle first. You can either give it to the infant immediately, or you can store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Or,
- Break open the bigger, 1-quart container and transfer the necessary amount to the empty bottle. Either feed the infant right away or store the bottle in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Replace the lid on the ready-to-feed formula and store it in the fridge for up to 48 hours.
How To Properly Store Infant Formula
- Preparing bottles of powdered infant formula for a day’s worth of feedings (24 hours) can be done in advance and stored in the fridge in sealed containers.
- With concentrated infant formula, you can make and store enough bottles for two days’ worth of feedings at once (48 hours worth).
- Don’t put premade baby food in the freezer.
- The formula that has been prepared but not yet given to the infant should not be left out of the fridge for more than 2 hours.
- The formula in a bottle should be consumed within an hour of being opened. After one hour, any unused formula should be discarded.
Sharon’s Final Thoughts
Making infant formula is not rocket science, but there are some things you need to know to do it correctly. The most important thing is to always wash your hands thoroughly and use clean utensils. Why risk the infection? The Dunn household gets reminded every day it seems, ha !
When in doubt, throw it out. If you’re ever unsure about the quality of your baby’s formula, it’s better to be safe than sorry. We hope this article has helped teach you how to make infant formula.
Thanks for reading! Sharon C Dunn.
