Bottle Feeds
For parents using bottle feeds we ask you to bring in pre-prepared milk feeds, you should have prepared the milk using the following guidelines:
Preparing a Feed using PIF (Powdered Infant Formula)
It is best practice to prepare feeds fresh each time and administer immediately. To minimise the risk of feed contamination the following measures should be observed;
- clean and disinfect the surface where feeds are prepared (see cleaning/ disinfection chapter)
- thoroughly wash hands in hand hot water and liquid soap, thoroughly dry with disposable paper towel
- boil the appropriate amount of water, if using a kettle allow the kettle to automatically shut off/ ensure a rolling boil is achieved
- allow the water to cool slightly (water should still be higher than 70°C)
- pour water into cleaned and sterilised bottle, add PIF as directed by manufacturer
- shake or gently swirl the bottle to ensure effectively mixed (if using feeding cups mix thoroughly with a clean and sterilised spoon)
- cool feeds quickly to feeding temperature by either holding under running tap, or placing in a container of cold or iced water, ensure level of cooling water is below the lid level of the cup or bottle)
- Dry the outside of the bottle with a clean disposable paper towel/ cloth, and label with date, time, Childs name, formula used, and preparers name.
If you have chosen to breast feed your child then please follow the same cleaning and labelling methods as above, including details of when the milk was expressed etc.
Breast milk can be kept in the -
- fridge for up to five days at 5°C or lower
- for two weeks in the ice compartment of a fridge
- for up to six months in a freezer
Breast milk must always be stored in a sterilised container. If you use a pump, always sterilise it before and after use.
If you have frozen your milk, defrost it in the fridge before giving it to your baby. Once it’s defrosted, it must be kept refrigerated. Don't re-freeze milk once it's thawed.
We would also ask that you prepare your bottles, no sooner than 22 hours before your child will need the feed. If you prepare them the night before, place in your fridge overnight (under 5°C) and ensure they are kept chilled whilst transported to nursery, preferably in a cool bag (especially in the summer). They will then be placed directly in our Baby Unit Fridge upstairs and stored at less than 5°C, until they are required.
They will then be warmed (if required), using hot water, for no longer than 15 minutes and shaken/swirled to ensure no hot spots. The temperature will be checked, before feeding. Any undrunk milk will be discarded after 2 hours.
Alternatively, you could supply ready made cartons of milk and sterilised bottles (even as a spare).