Supplementation of the Breastfed Baby

WHO guidelines on preparing powdered formulas

Powdered formulas are not sterile, and occassionally life-threatening infections may develop due to contamination of the product, especially with the bacteria Enterobackter sakazakii. To help avoid these hazaards, WHO has issued these generic guidelines, one of which is to reconstitute this formula at 70C/158F. Only some powdered infant formula labels contain a statement that the product is not sterile. None of the preparation instructions include the safest way to reconstitute it. There is a wealth of information in this document regarding other hazards of powdered formula. These guidelines are available on the WHO website.