Liquid Concentrate Baby Formula Preparation and Storage

How to Prepare Concentrated Liquid Formula

Preparing Similac® Concentrated Liquid formula is simple. You can also find directions on each container. Concentrated liquid formula must be mixed with water.
 

Here are a few tips to help you prepare baby formula. First, proper hygiene, handling, and storage are important when preparing baby formula. Make sure all utensils and surfaces are properly disinfected before starting.
 

• Preparing With Boiled Water
• How to Mix Formula
• How to Warm Formula
• How to Store Concentrated Liquid Formula
• Reusing Formula

Preparing With Boiled Water

Ask your baby's doctor if you should boil water when preparing formula, and whether or not you need to boil utensils, bottles, nipples, and rings in water before each use. If you choose to boil the water, follow these steps:

1. Bring water to a rolling boil for one minute, and then turn off the heat. Excessive boiling can increase the concentration of impurities.

2. Let the water cool to room temperature before adding to formula. Making formula with boiling water can decrease the nutritional value.

3. Once mixed, sprinkle a few drops on the inside of your wrist to make sure the formula is not too hot.

Note: Bottled or filtered water is not a suitable replacement for water that has been boiled. But it might be a better alternative to tap water in some areas. If you're concerned about lead or other harmful substances in your water, talk to your health care professional before making formula with tap water.
 

How to Mix Formula

For proper mixing, follow these steps:

	Shake bottle very well before each use. Remove protective seal around bottle cap; twist off and clean cap.
	Invert cap and place on foil seal. Press down to pierce foil, then turn cap a half turn.
	Pour equal amounts of formula and water into bottle or cup.
	Attach nipple or lid; swirl gently to mix. Once feeding begins, use within one hour or discard.

	Rinse can lid; shake well; open with a clean punch-type opener.
	Pour equal amounts of formula and water into bottle or cup; cap bottle.
	Attach nipple or lid; swirl gently to mix. Once feeding begins, use within 1 hour or discard.

How to Warm Formula

Formula doesn't need to be heated. If you choose to feed warmed formula, don't microwave it. It can cause "hot spots" that could burn your baby. Instead, set the filled bottle in a bowl of warm (not boiling) water or hold the bottle under warm tap water. Sprinkle a few drops on the inside of your wrist to make sure it’s not too hot.
 

How to Store Concentrated Liquid Formula

For 1-qt Reclosable Bottles

Once opened, replace cap and store quart bottle in refrigerator. Prepare and feed all formula from 1-qt bottles within 4 days after opening. Once prepared, store bottles in refrigerator and feed to baby within 48 hours. See the label for specific instructions.

For 13-fl-oz Cans

Once opened, be sure to cover can with a tight-fitting lid or foil and store in refrigerator. Prepare and feed all formula from 13-fl-oz cans within 48 hours after opening. See the label for specific instructions.
 

Don't leave prepared formula at room temperature. And don't freeze it, because doing so could cause the formula to separate.
 

Reusing Formula

If your baby doesn't finish a bottle of formula within one hour, toss the leftover. Don't save it for later. During a feeding, your baby's saliva can contaminate the formula in the bottle. Once this occurs, reheating or refrigerating won't kill the bacteria.
 

If you warm the formula, and your baby decides not to take it, don’t refrigerate it and reheat it again later. Throw it out instead.
 

Talk to your doctor before making changes to your baby's nutrition routine.