When you prepare your baby’s bottle, take an extra minute to make sure the formula is every bit as safe as it is nutritious.

Nine tips for safe, satisfying formula bottles
1) Wash up. Always wash your hands with soap and warm water before preparing formula bottles.

2) Keep it clean. Carefully clean measuring cups, mixing tools or utensils, and can openers after each use. Your countertops and tables also should be spotless.

3) To boil or not to boil? Always sterilize new bottles and nipples before their first use. If you have chlorinated water, boiling infant bottles every time you use them is not necessary. To clean bottles, run them through the dishwasher or hand-wash them well with soap and warm water. If you have well water or nonchlorinated water, sterilize the bottles and nipples in boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes. If you’re using tap water to mix formula, flush impurities from the pipes by running the water for two minutes before you use it. And use only water from the cold-water tap.

4) Check the date. Check the expiration date on the formula can. Throw out any cans that have expired.

5) Measure up. Properly prepared formula is essential for the health of your baby’s digestive system and for her optimum growth. Pour ready-to-feed formula directly into your baby's clean bottle. Measure concentrated or powdered formula accurately. Follow the mixing instructions on the label carefully

6) Warm it up. Never heat a bottle of formula in the microwave. Microwaves create hot spots in the liquid that can burn your baby. Instead, heat a bowl of water in the microwave or on the stove. Then, place a filled bottle in the bowl of warmed water and let it stand a few minutes. Gently shake the bottle to distribute the warm formula.

7) Test the temperature. Place a drop of warmed formula on your wrist; if it feels comfortable and just barely warm, it’s safe to feed baby.

8) Cool it. Keep prepared formula refrigerated until feeding time. After feeding, discard any remaining formula. Never put a warmed bottle back into the refrigerator.

9) Use it or lose it. Use powdered and concentrated formula within 24 hours of preparation and ready-to-feed formula within 48 hours of opening. Don’t leave prepared or opened liquid formula at room temperature for more than two hours.