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How to Mix Formula with Water, Breast Milk, Cereal and Others to Make a Bottle

Ashley Davis

How to Mix Formula - 10BabyGear Food Guide

How to Mix Formula with Water, Breast Milk, Cereal and Others to Make a Bottle

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What to mix formula with

You can mix the baby formula with water, baby food (strained meats, poultry, egg yolk, fruits, and vegetables), breast milk, and whole milk. Mixing formula with baby food adds calories to your baby’s diet. From 4th to your baby’s 6th month, your baby will start developing skills needed to eat solid food and this is the time to introduce select solid food by mixing them with formula.

Below are different ways of mixing formula with food:

  • Prepare dry, iron-fortified baby cereals with formula if not breastmilk
  • Mash an egg yolk with formula until smooth
  • Sprinkle powdered baby formula into strained meats, poultry, fruits, egg yolk, and vegetables.

It is recommended that you start introducing solids when your baby is at least 4 months. Doing so earlier increases the risk of childhood obesity.

Can You Mix Formula and Breastmilk/Can you mix formula and breastmilk in the same bottle

You can mix the formula with breastmilk, and in the same bottle but you’ll first need to follow formula preparation guidelines including cleaning and rinsing your baby’s bottle. Every formula has guidelines on how to prepare it on the side of the container.

Here are the main benefits o mixing formula with breastmilk:

  • More sleep: You can get more sleep as you can feed pumped milk mixed with formula to enable you as a mother to sleep longer. Your partner can assist to feed the baby at night or can take turns
  • Low-milk supply: If you are struggling with pumping, supplementing with formula is a great option

Let’s start with how you can prepare the formula before going through the steps of mixing the formula with breast milk:

  • Check your formula’s expiry date to make sure it hasn’t expired. If it’s good to go, then
  • Wash your hands
  • Prepare the bottle by sterilizing the bottle itself, the nipple and rings before using them
  • Boil water and let it cool for at least 30 minutes. By the 30 minutes, the temperature should be around 17 c which is not too hot. If you are worried your baby may not take anything hotter than the room temperature, 98.6 F (37 C), let the water cool for another 30 minutes.
  • Add water to your formula (liquid-concentrate or powdered formula).
  • Use the scoop provided and put the appropriate proportions indicated on the manufacturer’s manual. For Aptamil formula, you’ll need to add 7 scoops for 7 ounces of water as explained in the video below. For Similac, you’ll need 1 scoop of the formula for every 2 ounces of water.
  • After you put the formula scoops in the bottle, close it and shake it for 10 to 20 seconds to make sure all the powder has dissolved in the water.

After preparing the formula, you can then mix it with breast milk. By mixing breast milk with formula your baby’s digestion will improve. Breast milk has digestive enzymes and therefore can easily get digested taking the load off. Dr. Young also made the case that mixing breast milk with formula is essential when changing formulas as it smoothens your baby’s digestion.

Breast milk also has prebiotics and is known to have a healing effect as an anti-inflamatory agent. Breast milk also protects your baby against infections and can actually ‘bind’ infectious agents.

The following steps explain how to mix formula and breast milk in the same bottle:

  1. If you are using the powdered or concentrated formula, you have first to prepare it as the instructions direct, incurring that you add the right amount of safe drinking water.
  2. Add your breast milk into the prepared formula.

Warning: never use breast milk in the place of water when preparing the formula to avoid changing the nutritional content of the procedure that can strain the baby’s kidneys and digestive tract, and consequently, dehydration. In extreme cases, adding insufficient when prepping formula can cause neurological problems.

Note: if you are using the ready-to-drink liquid formula, you can add the breast milk without directly into the ready formula.

How to mix formula and whole milk

Mixing the formula and whole milk is essential when transitioning your baby from formula to whole milk. To mix formula with whole milk, mix equal parts of whole milk and prepared formula (do not use unprepared formula because it will overwhelm the baby’s digestive system).

In the video below (from 1:55), the mother in the video explains how she mixed four ounces of formula and 2 ounces of regular whole milk.

It is possible your baby will not like the taste of formula mixed with whole milk and could react differently by crying after smelling the milk. It may take a week or two for the baby to get used to formula mixed with cow milk. However, by the end of the second week or the beginning of the third, your baby will have gotten used to it and you can increase the proportion of whole milk you put in the combination such as 4 ounces of whole milk for every 2 ounces of formula.

How to mix formula with water

For proper mixing of the powdered formula and water, follow the following steps:

  1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water
  2. Pour water into the baby bottles
  3. Add unpacked, level scoop (s) of powdered formulas as directed. 2 level scoop of regular formula can be mixed with 4 ounces of water.
  4. Put the cap on the bottle and shake.

Tip: move your wrist in a twisting motion to mix your baby formula with water more quickly and thoroughly.

  1. Feed the baby or store it into the refrigerator immediately.

Below is a video by Care New England on steps to mix formula with cold and hot water:

The mixed formula will be good for your baby’s consumption for a period of up to 24 hours.

To mix formula with hot water, make sure you cool the formula before giving it to your baby. To heat, put the bottle in a container with warm water as you cannot microwave it.

For liquid concentrate formula:

If you are using a liquid-concentrate formula, follow the steps below.

  1. Shake the concentrated liquid before it with water
  2. Pour the formula for one serving into the babby bottle that has a sufficient amount of water.
  3. Attach the nipple and cap and shake well.
  4. Feed the baby.

Note: Bottled or filtered water is not a suitable replacement for boiled water when preparing formula. However, bottled or filtered water is a better alternative to tap water.

How to mix Enfamil formula 

Mixing the Enfamil formula involves three steps, which are:

  1. First, wash your hands. After that, get everything ready by gathering a clean bottle, nipple, ring, cap, and the formula container.
  2. Add water into the baby bottle. Check the formula’s label on how much water you need to prepare a specific serving.

Note: you should use room temperature water. Otherwise, feed the baby immediately or refrigerate the prepared formula if you use warm water.

  1. Finally, add the formula. Check on the formula packaging on how you need it. Attach the ring, nipple, and cap to the baby bottle, and shake well to mix the formula and the water.

Pro mummy/daddy tip: shake a few drops onto the inside of your wrist before feeding to ensure it has a neutral temperature.

How to mix Similac Formula

Before mixing the Similac formula:

  • First, choose the right formula for the baby (you can consult your pediatrician about the most suitable Similac formula for your little one). 
  • Choose the right form of the formula for your baby-whether powder formula or ready-to-deed liquid formula.

Note: you can switch between the powder and ready-to-feed formula, where the powder form is suitable for everyday use while the ready-to-use formula is convenient when traveling.

  • Finally, embark on preparing the bottle. You can read more on Similac’s website here.

Follow the steps below to prepare a bottle with Similac formula:

  1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water
  2. Measure and pour the desired amount of water into a baby bottle
  3. Add the Similac formula as desired into the bottle
  4. Put the cap on the bottle and shake thoroughly to ensure you have mixed the formula well
  5. Feed the baby or store the prepared formula immediately into the refrigerator.

For large-sized Similac formula preparation:

  1. Measure 23 fl oz water using a liquid measuring cup
  2. Add 1 cup of 100gms of Similac powder
  3. Add Similac powder to water and mix thoroughly
  4. Pour the prepared formula into individual feeding bottles
  5. Cap and store into the refrigerator immediately, and use within the next 21 hours.

How to Mix Hipp Formula

Step-by-step Hipp formula preparation guideline:

  1. Wash your hands thoroughly. Also, wash and sterilize all equipment according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
  2. Boil 1 liter of freshly-run tap water and leave to cool for about 30 minutes
  3. Measure the required amount of water into the bottle, adhering to the feeding guide on the pack.
  4. Add the correct number of Hipp formula scoops (one level scoop equals approximately 30 ml).

Tip: Level the scoop using the back of a clean, dry knife and not pressing down the powder formula.

  1. Place the sterilized seat and cap on the bottle and shake well until the formula is dissolved.
  2. Cool the prepared formula to a drinking temperature of about 37 degrees.

Tip: hold the bottle under cold running water to cool the milk to drinking temperature. You can read more on Hipp Formula on their website here.

How to Mix Holle Formula

Prepare to mix the Holle formula by:

  • Boiling water to a rolling boil for one minute (Excessive boiling of water increases the concentration of impurities.
  • Let the boiled water cool to room temperature because adding formula to boiling water causes clumping and decreases the formula’s nutritional value.

To mix the Holle formula, follow the following steps:

  1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water
  2. Measure and pour the desired amount of water into the baby bottle
  3. Add a level scoop (s) of formula into the bottle as instructions indicate.
  4. Put the cap on the bottle and shake well for proper mixing.
  5. Feed or store immediately in the refrigerator.

You can follow the steps in detail on Holle’s website here.

Caution

  • Follow the preparation and dosage instructions carefully
  • Use the provided scoop only
  • Leftover prepared formula should be discarded after a maximum of an hour if not refrigerated.
  • Do not warm the formula using a microwave.

How to mix formula on the go

It would be best if you had formula, clean water, and hot water to prepare a formula on the go.

Prepare the bottle as would typically do at home. Finally, immerse the bottle in a bowl of hot water to warm the prepared formula. Feed the baby immediately

Below are tips for using the baby formula on the go:

  • Use disposable bottle liners because they minimize clean up time and fewer bottles during a day out or a trip.
  • Choose the right formula. Tetra paks are convenient for weekend road trips and short getaways while a can of the procedure is suitable for more extended vacations. Also, you can carry a premixed formula if not going away for many days. Otherwise, ready-to-drink formulas are unsuitable owing to luggage restrictions.
  • Pack a sectioned formula dispenser and fill each with a pre-measured amount of formula to avoid measuring challenges when on the go.
  • Clean with Sterilizer Bags and Bottle Brushes
  • Travel with a cooler bag if you use a pre-mixed formula. Keep the bottles in the cooler bag to keep them cold.
  • Put all the bottle feeding supplies in your carryon for easy access to the bottle-feeding equipment when on the move.

How to mix formula without bubbles & Clumps

The best way to prepare baby formula without clumps is by following the label’s instructions. The following steps will help you prepare the formula without clumps:

  1. Always first add the water to the bottle
  2. Make sure you are using lukewarm water
  3. Shake immediately after adding the powder to water.

Also, pediatricians advise you to stir the formula with a fork or teaspoon gently after adding it into a bottle to minimize air bubbles and pressure build-up until you the liquid is smooth. 

How to mix formula for a newborn

Always follow the formula label’s preparation guideline when preparing the milk.

Usually, formula-fed newborns take 2-3 ounces (60-90 ml) of formula per feeding and will eat every three to four hours in the first few weeks. A such, prepare a formula that ranges between 60-90 ml to avoid wasting formula.

To prepare formula for a newborn, 

  1. Wash your hands with soap
  2. Boil tap water and let it cool to lukewarm or room temperature

Tip: You can put cooled, boiled water in sterilized bottles and store them in the fridge when sealed with a ring and a cap. Make sure you use the water in the next 24 hours.

  1. Add the desired amount of water into the feeding bottle.
  2. Add the formula into the water as instructed by the manufacturer
  3. Stir with a fork gently to remove any bubbles and clumps, and shake well until the liquid is smooth.
  4. Feed the baby immediately.

Always throw away any remaining prepared formula within an hour. You can read more on NHS’ website here.

Pro mummy/daddy tip: refrigerate the formula below 5 degrees within one hour of making it and use it within 24 hours if you need to prepare it in advance.

How to mix formula with rice cereal

Pediatricians recommend adding 1-2 teaspoons of rice cereal to formula if an infant has mild and recurring episodes of acid reflux (Thickened formula makes the stomach’s content heavier and harder to regurgitate).

To mix rice cereal to formula, follow the steps below:

  1. Prepare the baby formula as you usually do.
  2. Add the rice cereal to the bottle. Mose experts recommends one tablespoon of rice cereal for every 2 oz. of formula. The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends 2 to 3 tablespoons for every 1 oz. of formula.

Note: Always follow your pediatrician’s recommendations of how much rice cereal to add to the formula

  1. Shake the bottle well to mix the formula and the rice cereal thoroughly.
  2. Feed the baby. Ensure that the nipple of the bottle is appropriate for the thick feed consistency.
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