Baby Formula Safety 101: Do this, it’s not – Women’s Health Association | Women’s health care providers in Kansas City

Baby Safe Formula 101: Do This, It Doesn’t

July 1, 2022

Recent infant formula recalls and formula shortages have focused attention on the importance of formula safety.

Women’s Health Association (WHA) is committed to ensuring patients, families and the wider community have access to safe and nutritious formulations. Don’t hesitate Contact our office with any questions about formula or infant formula you may have or for current approved brands/lots of formula.

Baby Safe Formula 101: Do This, It Doesn’t

Here are our top 10 tips for using formula safely and minimizing your risk of foodborne illnesses or unnecessary stomach upset.

1. Pay attention to CDC & FDA formula recall information

The CDC and FDA websites maintain up-to-date information on formula recalls. Check these websites regularly to make sure none of your brands/batch codes of infant formula are referenced. Check your recipe batch codes and stop using recalled lots immediately. You can return the recalled formula for a full refund from the store where you purchased it.

2. Know the signs of foodborne illness in babies

The most recent recalls involve complaints of bacterial infections in infants drinking infant formula manufactured at Abbott Nutrition’s facility in Sturgis, Michigan. However, foodborne illness and bacterial infections are risks in any situation where harmful bacteria enter an infant’s food stream through unwashed hands, bottles/feeding accessories. unsterilized or other sources of contamination.

Newborns, especially infants three months of age or younger, are particularly susceptible to the side effects of stomach infections, including dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea. Contact your pediatrician or their 24-hour nurse hotline if you notice any of the following signs of a foodborne illness or stomach infection:

● Doesn’t want to eat or refuses to feed
● Excessive vomiting or diarrhea
Fever
● Unusual pain or crying that won’t stop
●Low Energy
Seizures (in very rare but serious cases)

3. Buy only formula made in the US

Yes, the most recent recall occurred at a US facility. However, the regulations and rapid reporting tools built into FDA regulations mean that spread is quick and recalls are made instantaneous. It is not the same situation that occurs in a recipe manufactured in another country, where food production facilities are less regulated, or warnings or reports of suspected problems may be present. may not spread quickly enough to US consumers.

4. DO: Wash your hands and bottles thoroughly

Anyone preparing formula should wash their hands thoroughly with warm water and soap before preparing a new bottle. Similarly, bottles, lids, nipples, formula spoons or any other utensils used to prepare formula must be sterilized between uses. Read the CDC website, How to clean, sanitize and store baby itemsfor detailed instructions.

5. DON’T: buy or use expired formula

All formula packs include an expiration date. Check the stamped dates regularly. Never use any formula after the expiration date. Instead, throw expired formula in the trash to avoid accidental use.

6. DON’T: put baby bottles in the microwave to warm them up

There is no need to warm formula before giving it to an infant or toddler. However, do not use the microwave if you like to reheat it. Formula in the microwave can create hot pockets that burn your baby’s mouth and throat. Use warm water instead – be careful not to get excess water on the nipple. Then, test the temperature of the formula by placing a few drops on the back of your hand. If it’s too warm for your hand, it’s too warm for the baby.

7. DO: Use safe drinking water, mix according to instructions

The formula is designed to be mixed using safe, fresh water. Contact your local health department if you are unsure about the quality of your tap water. Keep filtered water on hand in case of an emergency. Also, use only the manufacturer-provided formula scoop. Different brands have different sized spoons and mixing instructions, so spoons are not interchangeable.

8. DO: Use formula within two hours of mixing

Once you have mixed the formula, it should be used within two hours. Any unfinished recipe should be discarded after two hours. It is never refrigerated or frozen “for later.” This puts formula at risk of developing harmful bacteria. Once a baby starts bottle-feeding, formula should be given within an hour. Anything left over after that should be thrown away.

9. DO: Store formula in a cool, dry place

Unopened formula should be kept in a cool, dry place, preferably at a relatively constant temperature. Once the can is opened, seal the container with a lid in the same location, never in the refrigerator where moisture and circulating contaminants can affect the safety of the can.

10. DO NOT use formula that has been opened for more than a month

Write the date you opened the new can of formula on the lid. Once a can is opened, the contents should be used within a month. Then any remaining formula should be thrown out.

WHA Is Your Ally When Navigating Safe Newborn & Nurturing Regimes

Do you have questions about formula or breastfeeding? Would you like input or guidance on some of your feeding challenges? Does your baby have any signs of infection, such as fever, lack of energy or reluctance to feed?

The Women’s Health Association is your best ally and we are here to provide the information, education and support you need. Call us at (913) 677-3113 or Contact us online to schedule an appointment for non-emergency situations. We’ll be there every step of the way to determine what’s bothering your child and provide the treatment and support you both need.