Safe to use powdered formula?

[Mia Evan]

We were told by nurses and friends that powdered formula should be avoided because it's not sterile and can cause infections in newborns. I wasn't producing enough milk in the first few days after lo was born so we fed her maybe 3 days of powdered formula to supplement my breastmilk until I was making enough because we had no idea.

I've been exclusively breastfeeding lo ever since with no problem but have started given her ready to eat formula every now and then over the last few weeks as we begin the weaning process along with introducing solids soon. So my question is: Is it safe to use powdered formula now that lo is 6 months and her digestive system is more mature? I would continue to use the ready to feed formulas (we've been using Similac ready to feed that comes in glass jars) but for some reason it's hard to find them for stage 2 or 6+ month old babies I know Enfamil has ready to feed that's good for 0-12month babies but a pediatrician once told me it's best not to switch brands once baby is used to one..

I don't really want to use concentrated formula in a can either because I think you have to prepare many bottles once you open one can right? since it's only good for 24 hours after the can has been opened?

 

[Lou1234]

Unless I've missed something the only reason powder isn't sterile and potentially causes problems is if you don't prepare it properly.

If you make the powder up using boiled water as per the instructions it kills the bacteria.

 

[Mia Evan]

Powdered infant formula can be used for infants who are healthy and full term and also for high-risk infants in situations where sterile liquid infant formula is not available. Unlike liquid infant formula, which is heat treated to sterilize the product, powdered infant formula isn't manufactured to be sterile.

Scientific information shows that E. Sakazakii can be present in powdered infant formula. While there are no recent cases of illness due to Enterobacter sakazakii in Canada, there have been approximately 120 recorded worldwide. As a result, if it's not prepared properly, powdered infant formula could expose a child to potentially harmful bacteria such as Enterobacter sakazakii (Cronobacter spp.). Caregivers need to make sure that powdered infant formula is prepared properly to reduce the risks of foodborne illness.

I could be wrong since I exclusively breastfeed and don't know much about formula, but isn't it recommended to use cooled lukewarm water that was previously boiled to make formula? That means the water is no longer boiling hot when it touches the formula right?

 

[Leesy]

Powdered infant formula can be used for infants who are healthy and full term and also for high-risk infants in situations where sterile liquid infant formula is not available. Unlike liquid infant formula, which is heat treated to sterilize the product, powdered infant formula isn't manufactured to be sterile.

Scientific information shows that E. Sakazakii can be present in powdered infant formula. While there are no recent cases of illness due to Enterobacter sakazakii in Canada, there have been approximately 120 recorded worldwide. As a result, if it's not prepared properly, powdered infant formula could expose a child to potentially harmful bacteria such as Enterobacter sakazakii (Cronobacter spp.). Caregivers need to make sure that powdered infant formula is prepared properly to reduce the risks of foodborne illness.

I could be wrong since I exclusively breastfeed and don't know much about formula, but isn't it recommended to use cooled lukewarm water that was previously boiled to make formula? That means the water is no longer boiling hot when it touches the formula right?

My bub was combi fed and onto formula about 5 weeks. I have always used luke warm (previously boiled) water and have not had a problem. xx

 

[xLaura]

They suggest you boil water, wait 30 mins then add the water to formula, then cool down and give bubs. Powder is safe to use as long as its made properly so don't worry, it wouldn't be available if not.

 

[rory83coyotes]

Are you in the US because similac and enfamil are brands from here. I have always used powder from the start. Its what they give on wic (government program). We never use boiled water to prepare. I didn't even get instructed to do that when I brought my dd home from the nicu after a month. They sent me home with 3 cans of powder to mix for baby. We also use tap water. Unless your water source is bad no need to boil or used bottled. I have not ever been told not to use powdered formula even in nursing school.

 

[Lou1234]

If you are in the US my understanding is you have different rules for preparing formula.

We are told to prepare it exactly as xLaura said above.

As a side note I think it is strange that we have such different guidelines in different countries.

 

[Rachel_C]

They suggest you boil water, wait 30 mins then add the water to formula, then cool down and give bubs. Powder is safe to use as long as its made properly so don't worry, it wouldn't be available if not.

Just thought I'd add that boiled water left for 30 minutes isn't the same as 'cooled boiled water'. 30 mins is how long it would normally take for the water to cool to around 70 degrees C, which is hot enough to kill bacteria but not hot enough to destroy nutrients in the powder.

Cooled boiled water is water that has gone cold, or nearly cold. People DO use this to prepare milk but it is not the recommended way to make it - check out the WHO guidelines maybe.

 

[xLaura]

They suggest you boil water, wait 30 mins then add the water to formula, then cool down and give bubs. Powder is safe to use as long as its made properly so don't worry, it wouldn't be available if not.

Just thought I'd add that boiled water left for 30 minutes isn't the same as 'cooled boiled water'. 30 mins is how long it would normally take for the water to cool to around 70 degrees C, which is hot enough to kill bacteria but not hot enough to destroy nutrients in the powder.

Cooled boiled water is water that has gone cold, or nearly cold. People DO use this to prepare milk but it is not the recommended way to make it - check out the WHO guidelines maybe.

I never said it was 'cooled boiled water' if you read what I actually put maybe, then you will find I said let it cool for 30 mins, add water to formula then rapid cool to serve. Which last time I checked the guidelines was the correct way. I'm quite aware what cooled boiled water is, I never even mentioned it!

 

[ke29]

Once your LO gets to 6 months old you can be a bit more relaxed as they can then drink tap water. I make my daughters bottles by mixing 4 oz boiling water with 8 scoops of formula, mix well then I add tap water to fill the bottle. Prior to 6 months old I used ready made formula.

 

[Rachel_C]

They suggest you boil water, wait 30 mins then add the water to formula, then cool down and give bubs. Powder is safe to use as long as its made properly so don't worry, it wouldn't be available if not.

Just thought I'd add that boiled water left for 30 minutes isn't the same as 'cooled boiled water'. 30 mins is how long it would normally take for the water to cool to around 70 degrees C, which is hot enough to kill bacteria but not hot enough to destroy nutrients in the powder.

Cooled boiled water is water that has gone cold, or nearly cold. People DO use this to prepare milk but it is not the recommended way to make it - check out the WHO guidelines maybe.

I never said it was 'cooled boiled water' if you read what I actually put maybe, then you will find I said let it cool for 30 mins, add water to formula then rapid cool to serve. Which last time I checked the guidelines was the correct way. I'm quite aware what cooled boiled water is, I never even mentioned it!

Woah! My addition to your post (and I was agreeing with you, not contradicting) was for the benefit of the OP who seemed a little confused about the guidelines. I just thought it might possibly help to clarify the difference between water left for 30 minutes, which is still very hot, and cooled boiled water, as the OP seemed to be confusing the two by thinking that guidelines suggesting using cooled boiled water when they actually say water left no more than 30 minutes. No need to bite me .

 

[xLaura]

They suggest you boil water, wait 30 mins then add the water to formula, then cool down and give bubs. Powder is safe to use as long as its made properly so don't worry, it wouldn't be available if not.

Just thought I'd add that boiled water left for 30 minutes isn't the same as 'cooled boiled water'. 30 mins is how long it would normally take for the water to cool to around 70 degrees C, which is hot enough to kill bacteria but not hot enough to destroy nutrients in the powder.

Cooled boiled water is water that has gone cold, or nearly cold. People DO use this to prepare milk but it is not the recommended way to make it - check out the WHO guidelines maybe.

I never said it was 'cooled boiled water' if you read what I actually put maybe, then you will find I said let it cool for 30 mins, add water to formula then rapid cool to serve. Which last time I checked the guidelines was the correct way. I'm quite aware what cooled boiled water is, I never even mentioned it!

Woah! My addition to your post (and I was agreeing with you, not contradicting) was for the benefit of the OP who seemed a little confused about the guidelines. I just thought it might possibly help to clarify the difference between water left for 30 minutes, which is still very hot, and cooled boiled water, as the OP seemed to be confusing the two by thinking that guidelines suggesting using cooled boiled water when they actually say water left no more than 30 minutes. No need to bite me .

Ooo sorry hada screaming baby at the time so wasn't in the best of moods, and misread what you put so I apologise to you.

 

[Rachel_C]

They suggest you boil water, wait 30 mins then add the water to formula, then cool down and give bubs. Powder is safe to use as long as its made properly so don't worry, it wouldn't be available if not.

Just thought I'd add that boiled water left for 30 minutes isn't the same as 'cooled boiled water'. 30 mins is how long it would normally take for the water to cool to around 70 degrees C, which is hot enough to kill bacteria but not hot enough to destroy nutrients in the powder.

Cooled boiled water is water that has gone cold, or nearly cold. People DO use this to prepare milk but it is not the recommended way to make it - check out the WHO guidelines maybe.

I never said it was 'cooled boiled water' if you read what I actually put maybe, then you will find I said let it cool for 30 mins, add water to formula then rapid cool to serve. Which last time I checked the guidelines was the correct way. I'm quite aware what cooled boiled water is, I never even mentioned it!

Woah! My addition to your post (and I was agreeing with you, not contradicting) was for the benefit of the OP who seemed a little confused about the guidelines. I just thought it might possibly help to clarify the difference between water left for 30 minutes, which is still very hot, and cooled boiled water, as the OP seemed to be confusing the two by thinking that guidelines suggesting using cooled boiled water when they actually say water left no more than 30 minutes. No need to bite me .

Ooo sorry hada screaming baby at the time so wasn't in the best of moods, and misread what you put so I apologise to you.

No worries, I think we've all been there!

 

[Mia Evan]

Thanks for your comments. I asked our paediatrician about this today and he said powder is fine, especially now that she's 6 months and ready for solids. I guess preparing baby cereal requires mixing with water too right

 

[morri]

Here it says cool to 60 degrees. Shouldnt take 30 mins though