Breastfeeding or chestfeeding is the natural way designed by nature to feed your baby and provide all the nutrients and antibodies they need. However, when this is not possible, formula is a safe and suitable alternative for infant feeding. Ready-to-feed formula is the safest option for babies, but we understand that it is also the most expensive.

 

Based on the recommendations of the World Health Organization:

 

1. There should be frequent handwashing before touching the milk and after touching surfaces and other foods, and extreme hygiene should be observed in the food preparation area. Dry your hands with a clean cloth.

 

2. Bottles and nipples must be disinfected.

 

3. To kill pathogens present in the powder, it should be mixed with freshly boiled and still hot drinking water within 30 minutes or less of reaching boiling. This can be bottled, tap, or purified water; the important thing is that it is hot.

 

4. Measure the water separately in a measuring container, then mix it with the powder in the precise preparation measurements.

 

5. Fill the spoon level (neither less nor more than the edge of the spoon). Add the powder needed for the ounces of water in the bottle. *Always use the spoon that comes with the formula packaging as measurements may vary between manufacturers.* *The formula powder MUST always be mixed with boiled and hot water.*

 

6. Cool with a water bath-type ice (DO NOT put the ice inside the milk), letting it acclimate to room temperature or under the tap, ensuring that the bottle is covered.

 

7. Prepared this way lasts 2 hours at room temperature. You can also prepare several feeds for the day following the same steps, but this time place the prepared bottles with their cap in the refrigerator until you are ready to use them; this way, they will last for up to 24 hours.

 

8. In times of extreme heat or unstable refrigeration, such as after an emergency, these "good state" times for the milk may be shorter.

 

9. Any feed left by the baby should be offered within the first two hours; otherwise, it should be discarded.

 

10. Only in the absence of a heat source, handwashing and hygiene practices continue, but non-boiled drinking water would be used.

 

In the absence of the ability to disinfect bottles or feeding equipment, feeding with open cups, ideally disposable or thoroughly washed reusable cups without the need for disinfection, should be practiced.

 

More information can be found on the World Health Organization's website directly: https://www.who.int/es/publications/i/item/9789241595414