Essentials of bottle safety
These reminders can help ensure proper handling of bottles of breastmilk or formula:
Warming bottles
Never heat a bottle of breastmilk or formula in the microwave. It creates hot spots in the liquid that can burn your baby’s mouth and throat and it destroys breastmilk’s delicate components.
- Safely warm a bottle by standing it in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes or holding it under running water.
- Always test warmed breastmilk or formula by shaking a few drops onto your wrist before giving it to your baby. If the liquid feels just barely warm, it’s a safe temperature.
Preparing bottles
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before preparing your baby’s bottles.
- Clean the lids on formula cans before opening them.
- When mixing powdered formula, measure the powder using level, unpacked scoops. Follow instructions on the label exactly.
Did you know?
GERBER® NUK® bottles may help reduce colic caused by swallowing air. The Gerber NUK® Air System™ vents the bottle, preventing vacuum build up. This allows your baby to drink continuously, swallowing liquid instead of air.