Preparation & hygiene
Preparing a bottle safely, step by step
Clean hands, sterilised equipment and accurate measuring — the routine that keeps every feed safe.
Powdered formula is not sterile, so careful preparation matters as much as the formula itself. A consistent routine makes every feed safer and quicker, especially at night.
Before you start
- Wash your hands with soap and water and clean the surface you will use.
- Clean bottles, teats and caps in hot soapy water, then sterilise them by boiling or with a steriliser.
- Use safe drinking water, freshly boiled.
Measure accurately
Always pour the water first, then add the powder using only the scoop supplied in the pack. Level each scoop without pressing the powder down. Too much powder can strain your baby’s kidneys and cause dehydration; too little may not give enough nutrition. Never add sugar or cereal to the bottle.
Temperature and timing
Follow the water temperature on your pack. Shake the closed bottle until the powder is fully dissolved, then test a few drops on the inside of your wrist — it should feel warm, not hot. Never heat formula in a microwave: it heats unevenly and can scald.
Fresh every time
Make each bottle just before the feed and throw away any milk left over afterwards. Store the open tin in a cool, dry place with the lid closed, and use it within the period stated on the pack.
Each Vitlac product page includes an interactive version of these steps with the exact amounts for that formula.
