How to Prepare Formula Milk Safely for Babies: Step-by-Step Demo, Water, Scoops & Storage

Dr. Sandip Gupta

A pediatrician gives a practical, step-by-step demonstration of how to prepare formula milk safely for a baby. Preparing it incorrectly can cause infection, loose motions, diarrhoea or vomiting — this video is especially important for mothers giving formula milk for the first time. Covered in this video: Storing the formula tin Always seal the formula container tightly so air and moisture do not get in, otherwise the formula spoils. Store it in a dark, cool place, inside a cupboard — never in direct sunlight, as excess heat spoils the formula. Always check the expiry date before use. After opening the tin, use it up generally within one month. Every formula tin states how many days after opening it should be used; one month can be taken as the general rule. Formula stages by age Under 6 months: Stage 1 formula. After 6 months completed until 12 months: Stage 2. 12 to 18 months: Stage 3. 18 to 24 months: Stage 4. The water Water for formula must be boiled. After it comes to a boil and bubbles appear, keep boiling for 2 minutes. Boil a large quantity at once — 1 litre or 500 ml — and store it in a flask or thermos (Milton, Cello, Eagle or any good company) so you don't have to boil repeatedly. Stored water must stay at a minimum of 70°C to remain clean. Cleaning the feeding items Every bottle, paladai, or cup and spoon must be cleaned before each feed. Keep three to four, or four to six sets, and always give the baby a freshly cleaned one. Never reuse without cleaning. Preparing the feed — step by step Wash your hands with soap and wipe them dry before making the feed. Always prepare on one fixed, very clean surface, since this is the baby's food and small babies have weak immunity — even a small infection starts loose motions. Arrange everything first: water flask, formula tin, bottle or katori-spoon or paladai, and something to measure water (the bottle's own markings — 30, 60 — or a separate measuring container), plus a knife or the edge of the bottle to level the scoop. Measure the water first and put it in the katori or bottle before the powder. Take a full scoop of powder and level it with a knife or the edge of the bottle. Correct measurement matters so the formula is neither over-concentrated nor under-concentrated. Ratio shown in the demo: 30 ml water to 1 scoop; for 2 scoops, 60 ml water. Before feeding, check the temperature by putting a little on the back of your hand. If it is too hot, cool the bottle under running tap water or place it in a container of water until it comes to normal temperature. Storing prepared formula Storing after preparation is generally not recommended; fresh formula each time is what the doctor recommends to his patients, as it does not take long to make. If prepared and not fed at all, use within 2 hours. If the baby has fed from it or touched it, use within 1 hour. If you do want to store: put it in the fridge immediately, within 10–15 minutes of making, untouched and unfed, on the top shelf where the temperature stays below 5°C — then it can be kept and used for up to 24 hours. Reheating Never boil formula directly and never heat it in a microwave — microwaving creates hotspots in the formula and can burn the baby. Warm it by placing it in a container of warm water instead. The video mentions two separate videos on how to select formula milk, which formula is best, and what precautions to keep while giving formula. Questions this video answers: How do I prepare formula milk for my baby step by step? How much water per scoop of formula? (30 ml per scoop, 60 ml for two) Should water for formula be boiled, and for how long? Can I boil water once and store it? At what temperature should it stay? Which formula stage is right for my baby's age — Stage 1, 2, 3 or 4? How should I store the formula tin, and how long after opening can I use it? How do I measure and level a formula scoop correctly? Do I add water first or powder first? How do I check if the formula is too hot before feeding? Can I store prepared formula milk? For how long, and in the fridge? How long is formula good for after the baby has fed from it? Can I heat formula milk in the microwave? How do I clean and how many bottles, cups, spoons or paladai do I need? Why do babies get loose motions, diarrhoea or vomiting from formula milk? Relevant for: mothers giving formula milk for the first time, parents of babies under 2 years using formula, and caregivers who prepare feeds. Disclaimer: All information and suggestions given in this video are general health information. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Use the formula milk your doctor has recommended, and consult your doctor before making any change to your baby's feeding.