Which practice is recommended when preparing infant formula?

• A. Reuse leftover formula in the bottle for the next feeding
• B. Always microwave formula to warm it
• C. Test the water temperature by applying a few drops to the inner wrist to ensure lukewarm
• D. Discard prepared formula after 24 hours in the refrigerator

Answer: (C)

The key idea here is making sure the formula is at a safe, comfortable temperature before feeding. Testing a few drops of the prepared formula on your inner wrist is the best way to do this because your skin’s feel for warmth mirrors the infant’s mouth: it should be lukewarm, not hot. This simple check helps prevent burns and ensures the baby can feed safely and comfortably.

Reusing leftover formula from a bottle can allow bacterial growth, which poses a serious risk to a young infant. Heating formula in a microwave is discouraged because microwaves can heat unevenly, creating hot spots that can burn the baby’s mouth and throat and may damage some nutrients. Storing prepared formula in the refrigerator and discarding it after 24 hours is a safety guideline for storage, but the immediate step that directly protects the baby during preparation is confirming the formula is at a safe, lukewarm temperature with the wrist test.