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Bottle-feeding and formula

Talk with a midwife, nurse, doctor or health worker about using formula.

Only breastmilk or formula in bottle before 12 months. No cow’s milk. No water as a drink before 6 months.

No bottle in bed. Don’t leave baby alone with bottle.

How to prepare formula

Wash your hands. Wash and scrub bottles. Boil bottles in large pot for 5 minutes.

Keep formula and scoop dry. Use with clean and dry hands.

Follow instructions on the tin. Make sure to add the right amount of water and powder.

How to use and store formula

Throw out made-up formula if it has been at room temperature for one hour or more. Clean bottles after each feed.

Keep freshly made-up formula in the fridge for one day only.

When travelling, bring cool, boiled water. Also bring formula powder. Mix water and powder when ready to feed.

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Raising Children Network is supported by the Australian Government. Member organisations are the Parenting Research Centre and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute with The Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health.

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