Well Done Mum

Preparing formula Feeds

• Boil fresh tap water and let it cool. When making bottles always use COOLED BOILED WATER, never tap water and never boiling water. Using boiling water can break down the essential protein in baby milk. This is one of the reasons why warming bottles in microwaves is not recommended.
• Read the instructions on how much water and powder you need.
• Wash your hands well.
• Clean and sterilise all feeding and preparation equipment.
• Pour the boiled water into the bottle up to the required mark.
• Measure the exact amount of powder using the scoop provided with the formula. Level the powder in the scoop using a sterilised plastic knife.
• Add the powder to the water in the bottle. Generally, 1 scoop to 1oz water.
• Never use more than the instructed amount.
• Place the disk supplied on the top of the bottle, followed by the teat and cap.
• Screw the cap on tightly and shake well until all of the powder has dissolved.
• Check the temperature of the formula by dripping a little into the inside of your wrist before giving it to the baby.
• After the feed, throw any unused milk away and clean the bottle.
• The Department of Health recommends that bottle feeds are made up fresh when required.

It is generally recommended that you feed your baby whenever he or she seems hungry - which is called Demand Feeding. Despite what some new parents might think, crying is a late sign of hunger. You should try to feed before your baby gets so hungry that he or she gets really upset and becomes difficult to calm down.

You need to learn to read the signals he is giving you.

Some common signals include:

• Opening their mouth,
• Sticking out their tongue
• Putting their hands or their fingers to their mouth
• Nuzzling against their mothers' breasts
• Puckering their lips
• Finally they will cry