Your baby is precious, and they are susceptible to illnesses as an infant's immune systems is still developing. Good hygiene with powdered baby formula is key.
If you are the parent who has every nook and cranny in your home scrubbed and sanitized, you are aware and concerned of the potential germs that can get to your little one. The hand sanitizer pump is stationed at each door and bathroom so that bacteria is killed before it has a chance of getting to your baby. There is one more preventative measure that is important when it comes to practicing good hygiene for the sake of your baby: your powdered baby formula.
Powdered Baby Formula Versus the Rest
Powdered baby formula is an economical way to feed your baby since they will be using it for at least twelve months of their life. However, it is not the most sanitary form of baby formula.
Ready-to-Eat Baby Formula
This is the type of baby formula that is readily available in hospitals because it is the easiest and most sanitary. Once you open it and put a nipple on the container, it is ready for your baby to enjoy. Once it is sealed at the manufacturer's site, it has the least contact with germs along the way. Premature babies are encouraged to start on ready-to-eat baby formula because their immune systems are the least developed and are at a higher risk of contracting illnesses.
Liquid Concentrate Baby Formula
Liquid concentrate baby formula is easy to mix, and it is stored in the refrigerator once it is opened. Just like you store your milk and dairy products in the refrigerator, you do the same for this form of infant nutrition. This keeps bacteria from growing quickly until it is finished.
Powdered Baby Formula
When your baby is eating more than a few ounces at a time, it helps to have powdered baby formula on hand because you can make as much and as little. Small babies can take about a week to finish a can of formula while bigger babies can finish off a can in a matter of days. However, a powdered baby formula container is not the most hygienic of the three products. Once it is opened, it needs to be stored in a cool, dry spot, often in the kitchen. Hands are in the container over and over again to scoop out the powder. The Center for Disease control warns parents about the germ called Cronobacter. It can live in dry foods such as tea, powdered milk, and powdered infant formula. This is why washing hands prior to preparation is crucial.
How to Practice Good Hygiene with Powdered Baby Formula
- Check the expiration date or use by date on your baby formula containers
- Wash your hands before preparing any baby formula
- Sanitize your bottles, equipment, and anything that comes in contact with baby formula
- Heat water to at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit to kill any potential bacteria. Cool it before offering to your baby
- Store powdered baby formula in a cool, dry place. Humidity can cause clumping which can affect the amount of formula mixed in the water. This also means that powdered formula cannot be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.
While it is important to follow good hygiene in all areas of life, you can prevent sickness in your child with proper hand washing before touching anything that they come into contact with.
You can find Ready-to-Feed bottles in Hipp PRE and Hipp HA PRE as well as all organic powdered baby formula at the link below.
Edited and reposted from March 2018
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