most formulas state in the package they should be make with boiled water and add the powder to the water at 70°C as formula isn't sterile and at that temperature apparently the water is able to kill whatever isn't supposed to be alive when the baby gets it.
Powdered infant formula milk is not sterile. Even though tins and packets of milk powder are sealed, they can still contain bacteria . Water that hasn't been boiled can also contain bacteria .
The boiling water should kill any bacteria present in the flask. If the flask is full and sealed, the water will stay above 70C for several hours. Make up a fresh feed only when your baby needs it. The water must still be hot when you use it, to destroy any bacteria in the formula powder.
For babies under 6 months, water straight from the mains tap in the kitchen should not be used as it is not sterile. The NHS advises to boil the tap water first and then let it cool down. Bottled water is also not recommended as it may contain too much salt (sodium) or sulphate.
Why do you have to wait 30 minutes after boiling water to make formula?
For safety reasons, wait 30 minutes after boiling water before adding the baby formula. High-temperature water could cause clumps, damage the nutrients in the formula, or pose a burn risk to the baby. It can even result in a dangerous bottle explosion as the hot water expands the formula and creates pressure.
How to boil your water to sterilize your formula without going insane! - Happy Hour w/ Dr. Young
What happens if a baby drinks formula after 2 hours?
It's important to note there's no real way to know if the formula has begun to grow bacteria that can make a baby sick. For this reason, caregivers should always toss any prepared formula that has been out for two hours at room temperature even when it's been untouched.
The practice of boiling infant formula water in European formula guidelines serves as an essential step in ensuring the safety and well-being of infants.
Can I use bottled water for formula without boiling?
Distilled or purified water can be used without boiling it. All other water should be boiled then cooled as described below. This includes all other bottled water and all tap water.
Once your baby has started to eat solid foods (from around 6 months) you can offer them sips of water from a cup or beaker with meals. Drinking water for babies over 6 months does not need to be boiled first. Fully breastfed babies do not need any water until they've started eating solid foods.
You can start by offering your baby 1 to 2 ounces of infant formula every 2 to 3 hours in the first days of life if your baby is only getting infant formula and no breast milk. Give your baby more if he or she is showing signs of hunger. Most infant formula-fed newborns will feed 8 to 12 times in 24 hours.
Leave the water to cool in the kettle for no more than 30 minutes. Then it will stay at a temperature of at least 70C. If you're using a baby formula preparation machine, make sure the water is at least 70C. Water at this temperature will kill any harmful bacteria.
You can use clean tap water or bottled water for concentrated liquid or powder formula. Other safety tips are: Ask your public water supplier to test for lead in your water. If you have concerns, talk to your health care provider about lead testing for your child.
Boiling water will kill the probiotics. How long to boil: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends if you have any concerns about whether your tap water is safe, you should boil it for up one minute and then use the boiled water within 30 minutes to mix the formula.
Do not use water that has been previously boiled or artificially softened water. This is because the balance of minerals in previously boiled water and artificially softened water may not be suitable for making up formula feeds.
Boiling water kills all bacteria in a liquid, including those that can cause illness or disease. If you don't boil your baby's formula, you may get a bad taste from the milk and/or smell it differently than other families who use boiled-only water.
What can happen if you don't boil water for formula?
Bacterial Contamination: Unboiled water may contain harmful bacteria, such as E. coli or Salmonella, which can cause serious gastrointestinal infections in infants.
The most likely source of the hot water for parents to prepare formula is from the electric kettle. Water boils at 100°C. If parents fail to allow the boiled water to cool sufficiently to reach 70°C, then the hot water can destroy some of the nutrients in the formula.
Baby formula doesn't have to be warm. It's fine to feed your baby cool or even cold formula. It's all up to your baby's preference – they may prefer it warm, at room temperature, or even chilled, and all of those options are just fine.
If you don't have bottled water, you can boil or disinfect tap water to make it safe to mix with powdered infant formula. Let the water cool to room temperature before mixing it with powdered infant formula. Always test the temperature before feeding your baby so you do not burn your baby's mouth.
It's important to sterilise all your baby's feeding equipment, including bottles and teats, until they're at least 12 months old. This will protect your baby against infections, in particular diarrhoea and vomiting.
All water given to babies under 4 months old must be boiled no matter where it comes from, whether a municipal system, private well, bulk container, or bottle. You must also sterilize the containers in which you store boiled water, the same way you do baby bottles (see Cleaning bottles, nipples and breast pumps).
Why should I boil water? Powdered formula is not sterile; so, even though tins and packets of formula powder are sealed, they can sometimes contain harmful bacteria that could make your baby ill.
Why do you have to wait 30 minutes before making formula?
Leave boiling water to cool for 30 minutes?? Does anyone know the reason why you should leave the kettle water to cool for no more than half and hour before adding powder? So that the water doesn't cool to less than 70 degress, the temp needed to kill off bacteria in the milk powder.
I find it easier to store the boiled water in bottles and leave it at room temp. Then just add scoops as needed. Baby is happy to drink it at room temp so there's no need to heat it which is great. Boiled water in a sealed container is considered sterile for at least 24 hours.
