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Bottle-feeding and formula

Bottle-feeding and formula. Talk to a health worker.

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

No cow's milk before 1 year.

Only breastmilk or formula in bottle before 12 months. No cow’s milk. No water before six months for fully breastfed babies.

No bottle in bed.

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

How to prepare formula

Wash, scrub and boil bottles.

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

Keep formula dry.

Keep formula dry. Don’t wash the scoop.

Follow instructions on the tin.

Follow instructions on the tin. Be careful to add the right amount of water and powder.

How to use and store formula

Do not re-use leftover formula in the bottle.

Throw out made-up formula if it has been at room temperature for one hour or more.

Keep bottled formula in fridge for 1 day only.

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

Make formula as needed when travelling.

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.

Member Organisations

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  • The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne
  • Murdoch Children's Research Institute

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