Storing formula breast milk?
 

Hi,
Im currently working on unit EYMP3 and have been asked in outcome 4.1 to explain how to store formula and breast milk?
I know that it changes all the time and people have different opinions on this but needed to know what is actually the 'right' way to put it in writing. I currently work with 3-5 year olds and has been a while since ive worked with babies.
Thanks

Hi Jadey

this is what i wrote recently and had it signed off, it took me ages to find information because i to work with 2 and half to five years

Storing breast milk.

There are two ways to store breast milk you can store it in a fridge or a freezer, the department of Health guidance for the storage of breast milk is as follows:

• You can store breast milk in a fridge at 4 oc or lower for up to 5 days.
• You can store breast milk in the freezer compartment of a fridge for up to 2 weeks.
• You can store breast milk in a domestic freezer for up to 6 months at minus 18 oc or lower.
If breast milk has been frozen you can defrost it in the fridge and it can be served straight from the fridge rather than being warmed up. This will prevent bacteria.

Preparation of formula milk.
If parents bring in made up bottles of formula milk, they need to be placed in the fridge immediately and used within 24 hours this will ensure that it is kept cold to prevent bacteria and to keep it safe. Before we prepare formula milk clean all the work tops and wash your hands. The bottles, teats and brushes should be thoroughly cleaned and sterilised according to the manufacturer’s instructions, this will stop the risk of a baby getting sickness and diarrhoea. Best practice means that formula milk should be made up fresh for each feed, if the baby leaves formula milk this should be thrown away, this will prevent a baby becoming ill. If you are unable to make up formula milk fresh then you can use ready to use liquid formula or by filling a hot thermos with hot water (at least 70 oC in temperature)and the formula can be made up as required.

To make formula milk boil fresh water in the kettle, let it cool down, but for no more than half an hour, using hot water will kill any harmful bacteria in the powder. Put the boiled water in the bottle first and add the required amount of powder, follow manufacturer’s instructions on the ratio of powder to water. Cool the formula quickly to feeding temperature by holding the bottle under cold running water with the cap on.

This is a good website with updated information

**http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnan...t-formula.aspx

Hope it helps you

Lynne

Thanks Lynne!
Once again, you have helped me out!
Your a star x

Your welcome

Lynne

Just wondering what happens if the breastfed baby will only take their milk warm , as most like their milk body temp, can they be heated the same as a ready made formula?
Thanks, Kristy.

HI im stuck on this question aswell, I have the inform about the breast milk and the formula. But im stuck on the food. Can someone please helppp :-(

Storing and preparing food and milk for children is very important to help them stay safe and healthy. While preparing food it is important to ensure that the person preparing food uses the correct equipment for the correct food such as there is coloured chopping board to prevent cross contamination. You should always use gloves when preparing food and follow the health and safety guidelines. Storing food should also be well planned and thought through this is also to stop cross contamination, it is important to keep certain foods away form other such as raw meet should always be stored on the bottom level of the fridge encase the meat was to leak on to any other of the food always check the labels to ensure the food is not kept past its use by date and always check any food allergies before buy food that could have a impact on the children such as never bring nuts into a childcare setting encase of a nut allergy. Always make sure that any special requirements are clearly labelled and stored.

This was a real huge help, I worked with older children and didn't know all the stuff about the milks. Xx

This post has helped me loads tonight - thank u all