Not
breastfeeding? reduce your baby’s risk of infection.
 
  • Powdered
    formula is a favorite go-to option for moms who can’t or who choose not to
    breastfeed, but it increases your baby’s risk of infection due to outside
    bacteria.
  • Keep your
    infant healthy with these feeding tips:
    • Wash your
      hands with soap and water.
    • Clean work
      surfaces, such as countertops and sinks.
    • Clean
      bottles in a dishwasher with hot water and a heated drying cycle, or scrub
      bottles in hot soapy water and then sterilize them.
    • Keep
      powdered formula lids and scoops clean (be careful about what they touch).
    • Close
      containers of infant formula or bottled water as soon as possible.
    • Use boiling
      water to make powdered formula – it is not sterile, as is.
      • Be sure to
        allow the formula to cool to a comfortable temperature before feeding – test it
        by shaking a few drops onto your wrist.
    • Shake,
      rather than stir, formula in the bottle.
  • Formula
    storage is just as important as sterilization and preparation.
    • Use formula
      within two hours of preparation. If the baby doesn’t finish the entire bottle,
      discard of the rest.
    • If you don’t
      plan on using the prepared formula right away, refrigerate it immediately and
      use it within 24 hours.
    • When in
      doubt, throw it out.
  • The majority
    of Women, Infant & Children (WIC) program moms start out breastfeeding
    their babies. Numbers tend to decrease as time goes on and only 15 percent of
    mothers report exclusively breastfeeding for six months.
  • The number
    one reason WIC moms say they stop breastfeeding is due to the fact that they
    think they provide poor quality or poor quantity of milk.
  • WIC offers
    breastfeeding information and support. Call 248-6900 for more info.