How to make correct and hygienic formula milk for babies

Ideally, babies get exclusive breastfeeding from birth until they are 6 months old. However, in certain conditions, breastfeeding for babies is not possible so it needs to be replaced with formula milk. Just like breast milk, the presentation of formula milk for babies should not be arbitrary. Therefore, it is important for you to make or brew baby formula milk in a correct, safe and hygienic manner. How about the right steps?

How to make good and correct baby formula

Feeding infant formula to meet the nutritional needs of infants is usually carried out under several conditions.

First, formula milk is given when a baby cannot get exclusive breastfeeding from birth.

Second, exclusive breastfeeding may be obtained by babies at birth, but in the middle of the journey, babies need to get formula milk for one reason or another.

Third, the baby is already 6 months old, so he starts learning to eat complementary foods (MPASI) according to the MPASI schedule and is allowed to drink formula milk and mixed breast milk with formula milk.

However, before giving formula milk to babies, make sure you know how to make or brew the right way to keep it sterile.

This is because formula milk is at risk of contamination by bacteria, especially if there is a lack of attention to the safe and hygienic preparation and administration process.

For example, quoting from the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI), the water temperature that is not hot enough when brewing formula milk is an ideal place for bacteria to breed.

As a result, when taken by a baby, he is at risk of experiencing medical symptoms of diarrhea which can lead to nutritional problems for the baby.

In order to keep formula milk safe and hygienic, here's how to make or brew the right formula for babies:

1. Wash hands

The first step that seems trivial but is often overlooked is washing your hands.

Make sure you always wash your hands with soap and running water first before starting to apply the correct method of making formula milk.

2. Clean and prepare baby bottles

The first thing you have to pay attention to in how to make or brew the right formula is to always keep the milk bottle clean.

This is important because less clean milk bottles can harbor bacteria in them.

Clean milk bottles by washing them under running water and using soap or by using hot water.

Not only milk bottles, but also washing equipment that will be used to make formula milk such as spoons, glasses, and others.

Use a bottle brush so you can easily reach all parts of the bottle.

Also look at the cleanliness of the bottle-specific brush you use. We recommend that you clean the brush first before you wash the baby's milk bottle.

Make sure all parts of the bottle are clean of leftover milk, then rinse under running water until no more soap lather is left.

In addition, you can also sterilize milk bottles using a special baby bottle sterilizer.

Finally, let the bottle you washed dry on its own.

You can also wipe it with a tissue if you are going to use it soon, but avoid using a rag in the kitchen because there could be bacteria.

3. Boil hot water and pour milk

Prepare the formula milk that will be made and look at the expiration date on the milk package to ensure its safety when drunk by the baby.

Make sure you understand the serving instructions listed on the milk packaging, for example how many tablespoons of powdered milk you must dissolve in a bottle of water.

The next correct way to make formula milk for babies is to boil water that will be used to brew milk.

Whenever making milk, always use boiled water at a temperature of not less than 70 degrees Celsius in an appropriate amount according to the measurement.

Avoid making baby formula by mixing water with a temperature of 70 degrees Celsius and cold water. So, the water temperature must be perfectly ripe.

After that, mix well or you can shake it (on a closed bottle) until the milk powder dissolves completely.

Before giving it to your baby, lower the temperature of the hot milk by placing the bottle in a container filled with cold water.

You can also place the bottle under running water to bring the temperature down. Then dry the bottle with a tissue or clean cloth.

Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that you check the temperature of formula milk by dropping it on the skin.

Feel if the milk is still too hot or enough for the baby to drink.

Another thing that needs to be considered in giving formula milk

Apart from paying attention to how to make or brew formula milk properly, you should also not miss giving to babies.

However, when milk cannot be given to the baby immediately after making it, immediately cool the milk and store it in the refrigerator at less than 5 degrees Celsius.

Make sure the baby drinks formula milk in a period of less than 24 hours.

Meanwhile, if the baby does not finish the formula that you have made after more than 2 hours, you should discard the milk.

Finally, store the powdered formula that has not been brewed in a tightly closed container and is not damp.

When the baby becomes constipated later, you can give formula milk that is not constipated so that his condition improves.