Answers for New Parents

It’s a question asked by many parents and, as a result, the answer can vary. Fortunately, you can quickly look below to see how you should get started based on your personal formula-feeding choices. 

If you decide to introduce formula, it doesn’t have to mean an end to breastfeeding. Seven out of ten moms that use formula still continue to breastfeed¹. Supplementing also allows feeding responsibilities to be shared with a partner or caregiver. 

Whichever your preferred approach, speak with your healthcare professional before making changes to your baby’s feeding routine. 

So, should I follow a schedule? 

Here are some tips to consider when introducing formula: 

• At first, substitute one mid-day breastfeeding with a bottle-feeding. 

• Relieve your breasts between feedings by expressing small amounts of milk (only if necessary). 

• Talk soothingly, give extra loving attention and wherever possible, try to stick to your general routine (location, chair, etc). 

Why a gradual transition? 

• Your baby may notice a change in taste. 

• Abrupt changes in feeding may be tough on your baby’s tummy. 

Keep the following factors in mind: 

• Every baby’s unique. 

• Your baby may notice a change in taste when transitioning from breast milk to formula. 

• Changes in taste may be more noticeable if you’re introducing a formula with added DHA and ARA. 

Important Note: Always consult your doctor before making any feeding changes. 

¹ Nestle^® 2019 research. Data on file

Different types of formula mean there are different preparation steps. 

Carefully read the directions for preparation and use on the label so you can follow them accurately (your baby’s health depends on it, after all)^*. Even before that, ask your baby’s doctor about infant formula, including how much to feed. 

First and foremost, always sterilize your bottles, nipples, rings and all preparation utensils by placing them in a pot with boiling water, boiling for 5 minutes, cleaning the area where you’ll be prepping things and washing your hands. 

Once prepared, formula needs to be consumed within 1 hour of preparation. Throw out any unfinished formula if not consumed within this hour. 

Ready-to-feed instructions 

• Do not mix with additional water. 

• Wipe the top of the carton with a clean cloth and shake well before opening. 

• Pour ready-to-feed formula directly into a sterilized bottle. 

• Put the bottle in hot water until it is lukewarm (usually 1-2 minutes). Gently shake bottle to distribute the heat evenly^**. 

Did you know? You have a built in thermometer to check that your water or formula is lukewarm—your wrist! Just place a drop on the inside of your wrist. If you don’t feel a difference in temperature, you’re good to go. 

Concentrated liquid instructions 

• Bring water to a rolling boil for at least 2 minutes and let it cool to room or body temperature (37°C) before using². 

• Wipe the top of the carton with a clean cloth and shake well before opening. 

• Pour equal amounts of measured-out formula and sterilized water into a sterilized bottle. Do not over-dilute or under-dilute unless directed by a healthcare professional. 

• Cap bottle and shake well. 

• Put the bottle in hot water until it is lukewarm (usually 1-2 minutes)^**. 

• Immediately cover and store the opened carton with the remaining concentrate formula in the refrigerator and use it within 24 hours. 

Powder instructions 

• Bring water to a rolling boil for at least 2 minutes and let it cool to room or body temperature (37°C) before using². 

• Pour measured, sterilized water into bottle. (Always put the water in your bottle first—it’ll help the powder dissolve better as you add it, rather than trying to add water to a bottle that you’ve already put powder in. For best mixing results, use lukewarm water prior to adding powder.) 

• Add the appropriate number of scoops and powder, as shown on the label. Do not over-dilute or under-dilute unless directed by a healthcare professional. 

• Cap bottle and shake immediately until powder is completely dissolved. 

• Put the bottle in hot water until it is lukewarm (usually 1-2 minutes)^**. 

^*Your baby’s health depends on carefully following the label directions for preparation and use. 

^**Do not use a microwave oven to warm formula, as it can produce hot spots in the bottle that can burn your baby. 

² Health Canada. Recommendations for the preparation and handling of powdered infant formula (PIF). 2010. http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/nutrition/infant-nourisson/pif-ppn-recommandations-eng.php Accessed: May 29th, 2017. 

Storing opened formula 

Ready-to-feed or Concentrate: Cover and store it up to 24 hours in the refrigerator. 

Powder: Once opened, use within one month. Store the container in a cool, dry place and make sure the lid is tightly closed^*. 

Storing unopened formula 

Safe: Storing unopened formula in a cool, dry place (6º – 25ºC).  

Alert: Storing formula over 37ºC for a few days may compromise its vitamin content. 

Safe: Storing unopened liquid tetras in the fridge, only if the temperature is expected to exceed 37ºC for a few days. 

Alert: You may see changes in the texture of the product after you refrigerate it—they’re merely “physical”. This means the product has not spoiled and its nutritional quality has not been affected. The product just needs to be shaken VERY WELL to break any soft lumps and reincorporate the formula. 

Freezing unopened formula 

Alert: Freezing unopened powdered formula should only be done in an emergency. 

Safe: You need to ensure that any powdered formula you had to freeze is brought to room temperature before you mix it. 

Alert: Freezing unopened concentrated formula is not recommended—it may compromise the quality. The fat and protein might separate out of the formula and you’ll have trouble re-mixing it. 

Safe: Avoid storing unopened formula in any kind of extreme or inappropriate temperatures. 

^*Formula storage instructions are stated based on Nestlé® infant formula products. Please consult the label for full preparation and use instructions. If using another brand of infant formula, please follow the directions stated on the label. 

To be honest, you shouldn’t really have to deal with clumping. Here are a few ways you can help wave goodbye to clumps for good: 

• Add the water first: Water, then powder…always. 

• Test the temp: For the best mixing results, ensure you’re using lukewarm water. 

• Don’t wait to shake it! Shake the bottle immediately after you’ve added the powder to the water. 

The most essential step? Always following the label instructions—it’s important for the health of your baby. 

First off, no matter the formula type, once a sterilized bottle comes in contact with your baby’s mouth, you should never reuse the formula that’s left over in that bottle. Always throw out any unfinished formula directly from the bottle you were using. 

Still, all types of formula can be stored for a little while after they’ve been prepared, but only if you follow the parameters laid out below. 

Powder 

If you’ve mixed the powdered formula and it’s in a container you didn’t use for the feeding—here are the musts: 

• Feed your baby within 1 hour without reheating the formula. 

• Discard any leftover mixture. 

Reusing leftover formula isn’t recommended due to a risk of bacterial contamination. 

Concentrate and Ready-to-feed 

If you’ve poured formula into a sterilized bottle and it hasn’t touched your baby’s lips—here are the musts: 

• Ensure it’s the appropriate amount to feed your baby. 

• Feed your baby within 1 hour without reheating the formula. 

• Discard any remaining formula. 

Open packages 

If you’ve opened a Tetra of concentrate or ready-to-feed formula and don’t wish to use it all right away—here are the musts: 

• Cover the package with plastic wrap. 

• Put it in the fridge immediately after opening. 

• Store it in the fridge for no more than 24 hours. 

In addition, following the label instructions is important for the health of your baby. For safety reasons, it is not recommended that formula be reheated if it’s been warmed or left out at room temperature, as there’s an increase risk of bacterial contamination. 

Preparing and storing infant formula in advance is not recommended. Looking to save time? Sterilize your bottles and fill them with the appropriate amount of sterilized, cooled water ahead of time. Refrigerate and use within 24 hours. For best mixing results, put the bottle in hot water until it is lukewarm prior to adding powder^**. Do not add formula until feeding time. 

In addition, following the label instructions is important for the health of your baby. For safety reasons, it is not recommended that formula be reheated if it’s been warmed or left out at room temperature, as there’s an increased risk of bacterial contamination. 

^**Do not use a microwave oven to warm formula, as it can produce hot spots in the bottle that can burn your baby. 

Before changing your baby’s feeding routine, you should first consult with your doctor. 

Any changes may result in temporary digestive issues, like gas and spitting up^□, that can in turn cause fussiness. 

Here are recommendations related to switching formulas: 

• Don’t alternate or combine the new formula with the formula you’ve been using 
• Transition directly to the new formula. 
• Don’t mix different formulas. 
• Allow your baby 3 to 5 days to get used to the new formula. 

For a more detailed look, read Baby formula: Switching formulas. 

^□Consult a physician if your baby is spitting up forcefully or frequently at every feeding and is not gaining weight. 

Since Nestlé^® products differ from country to country, do your best to travel with enough formula for the duration of your trip—it’s highly recommended. Understanding that extended trips (and packing for baby, right?) may make this difficult, it’s also recommended to at least bring some of the formula you’ve used immediately before your trip. 

If you want to be extra prepared, you can even consult the Nestlé^® website of the country you’ll be visiting and find out the ingredients of the formula you’ll find there. Then, you can track down that country’s Nutrition Facts Table and share that information with your doctor to help decide what will be suitable for your baby. 

Remember: Always discuss any feeding changes with your baby’s doctor. 

Yes, all infant formulas designed for healthy term infants for sale in Canada have been approved by Health Canada to meet the nutritional requirements for normal healthy growth for all infants between the ages of 0-12 months.  Some infant formulas, such as GOOD START 2, may have some benefits specifically designed for older babies from 6-12 months, such as slightly higher levels of calcium and iron. The differences in these levels are still appropriate for all babies from 0-12 months.  

If you are not able to find your regular GOOD START Infant Formula on shelf, it is safe and nutritionally appropriate to use a different GOOD START Infant Formula.  It is also appropriate to switch between liquid and powdered GOOD START Infant Formula unless you have been given specific instructions by your doctor.  

GOOD START Infant Formulas include GOOD START 1 & 2 (900g powder and 240mL concentrate available in Stage 1 only), GOOD START Plus 1 & 2 (580g and 1.02kg powder, ready-to-feed Tetra 250mL, concentrate 240mL and 89mL ready-to-feed nursers (available in Stage 1 only) and Nestlé^® Good Start Soothe^TM (550g and 942g powder). 

Always remember to read and follow the preparation instructions on the label for each specific formula.  

If you have been giving GOOD START Infant Formula to your baby and you cannot find any GOOD START Infant Formula products, you can use another infant formula designed for healthy term infants from a different manufacturer.  All infant formulas designed for healthy term infants for sale in Canada have been approved by Health Canada to meet the nutritional requirements for normal healthy growth for all infants between the ages of 0-12 months. If you have questions about which infant formula to use or any questions related to feeding your baby, speak with your health care practitioner. Always remember to read and follow the preparation instructions on the label for each specific formula. 

Nestlé^® Good Grow^TM is not an infant formula and should not be used to feed infants. GOOD GROW is made specifically for toddlers above 12 months of age and is a nutritional supplement. GOOD GROW Plain Milk and GOOD GROW Vanilla Flavour can be use interchangeably for toddlers in this age group.  If you cannot find GOOD GROW, whole cow’s milk can also be used and is recommended by Canadian Pediatric Society. 

If you have been giving GOOD START ALSOY 730g or GOOD START ORGANIC 900g to your baby and you cannot find them available you can use another infant formula designed for healthy term infants from a different manufacturer that offers the benefits of Soy Infant Formula or Organic Infant Formula.  All infant formulas designed for healthy term infants for sale in Canada have been approved by Health Canada to meet the nutritional requirements for normal healthy growth for all infants between the ages of 0-12 months. If you have questions about which infant formula to use or any questions related to feeding your baby, speak with your health care practitioner. Always remember to read and follow the preparation instructions on the label for each specific formula. 

A limited amount of formula samples are offered as part of the Nestlé Baby & me program for new parents. These samples are mailed out only at specific times during the membership tenure and are not available for purchase. For more information, visit the full Nestlé Baby & me website. 

Be sure to check the package for specific Halal or Kosher symbols. Here are some of the products you’ll find: 

Kosher: 

GOOD START ALSOY

GOOD START ORGANIC

GOOD GROW 

Halal: 

GOOD START ALSOY

Nestlé^® offers a variety of non-GMO products— like these: 

GOOD START 1 

GOOD START PLUS 1 

GOOD START 2  

GOOD START PLUS 2 

GOOD START SOOTHE 

GOOD START ALSOY 

GOOD START ORGANIC