Frequently Asked Questions

The following equipment is needed if bottle feeding:  

2 – 6 bottles (preferably 8 oz).  Bottles with leak-proof caps, collars and nipples with clearly marked measurement guides that will endure over time. Bottles with a wide rather than a narrow bottle neck opening can be more easily cleaned with a brush.   

While plastic or glass bottles are a matter of choice, plastic bottles are less likely than glass to shatter or break (ensure plastic bottles are labelled ‘BPA-free’).  

A minimum of 6 nipples - Check and replace nipples regularly. Discard as soon as you notice any signs of deterioration including discoloration, stickiness, swelling or cracking.  

Check that the nipple design is appropriate for your infant’s age as different nipples will have different flow rates and it is important that the flow rate is comfortable.  

Your baby’s immune system is still developing so keeping baby’s feeding equipment clean and sterile is very important. If your baby is hospitalized, you should always follow the cleaning instructions provided to you by your health care professional.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that feeding bottles be cleaned after every feed. It is important to check with local health departments to ensure tap water is safe for consumption and only use safe water for cleaning. To clean infant feeding items: wash your hands well, before rinsing each individual bottle part under running water. Next, wash feeding equipment in a clean bowl of hot soapy water with a bottle brush (ensure water runs through nipple holes). Rinse items again with running water and air dry on a clean towel. Wash bowls and bottle brushes also need to be cleaned.

It is important that feeding items are also sterilized after being washed. While the CDC recommends sterilizing feeding equipment daily for babies under 3 months, born prematurely or with a weakened immune system, The a2 Milk Company recommends sterilizing feeding items after each use for all babies up to 12 months, to ensure food safety (as outlined on pack). Check your feeding equipment instructions for recommended sterilizing options.

Boiling

Fully submerge feeding equipment in boiling water for 5 minutes, overheat. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Wash hands before handling equipment. Dry and store in a clean and dry location.

Steam Sterilizer (electric)

Use the sterilizer according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Wash hands before removing all items and store safely in a clean and dry location.

Sterilizing Solution

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for preparing the solution, combining the correct amount of sterilizing solution or tablet with the correct volume of water in a clean, plastic container. It is important that you fully immerse the bottles and nipples in the container and ensure that no air bubbles are trapped inside them. Leave the bottles and nipples in the solution for the required amount of time. Wash your hands before removing the infant feeding equipment from the solution. Do not rinse off the sterilizing solution or there will be a risk of re-contamination. Drain the bottles and nipples well on a clean dry surface.

Always follow the instructions on the can when preparing formula.

Wash your hands before preparing formula, and ensure water is from a safe source by checking with local health department. 

Measure the correct amount of cooled boiled water into a sterilized bottle. Use a fresh clean bottle for every formula feed. Discard any unused cooled boiled water after 24 hours.

Fill the measuring scoop with the correct amount of powder according to the instructions on the back of the can and level off. 

Do not press or compact extra powder into the scoop as over-concentration or under-concentration can be harmful.  Add the correct number of scoops to the water in the bottle as adding too many or too few scoops can be harmful. Always measure the powder using the scoop provided in the can. Always keep the scoop in the can when not in use – do not wash or wet the scoop as this may introduce moisture into the can if not dried properly.

Once a can of infant formula powder has been opened, it can be safely kept for four weeks if stored in a cool, dry place. Any unused powder must be discarded after four weeks. To help you remember when you opened the can, write the date on the lid.

a2 Platinum® does not state a specific temperature for preparation; however, it is best to boil the water and allow it to cool for 30 minutes to approx. 104ºF. Then, pour the correct amount of cooled boiled water into a sterilized bottle, adding the correct number of scoops to water as outlined on the mixing guide. 

It is important to follow the instructions exactly as they are stated on the can. Always check the temperature of the formula before feeding, it should feel warm, not hot. If the water is too hot, cool before feeding by standing the bottle in a bowl of cold water, or by running the bottle under cold water (ensuring none of this water comes into contact with the lid or nipple).

Boil safe drinking water and allow to cool for 30 minutes to approx. 104ºF. Pour the correct amount of previously boiled (now cooled) water into the sterilized bottle.

Add the correct number of scoops using the enclosed scoop to the water in the bottle as adding too many or too few scoops can be harmful. Place the nipple and cap on the bottle and gently shake or swirl until the formula dissolves.

Warm the bottle by standing it in a bowl of hot (not boiling) water for around 5 minutes. This is the safest way of heating bottles as it heats the formula evenly and takes no more than 10 minutes.

Always test the temperature before feeding your infant by allowing a few drops to fall on the inside of your wrist – it should feel tepid (i.e., body temperature).

It is important to prepare the infant formula according to the instructions provided on the can, with the right amount of powder and water. This will help ensure your infant’s nutritional requirements are being met.

Any unused formula after feeding must be discarded. Any prepared formula which has been at room temperature for longer than 1 hour must be discarded.  This is for food safety reasons to minimize any risk of food illness.

It is not recommended to prepare formula in advance. If formula needs to be prepared in advance for use later, they should be prepared in individual bottles, cooled quickly and placed in the refrigerator (no higher than 41°F). Any formula which has been at room temperature for longer than 1 hour must be discarded. Any unused formula must be discarded.

Throw away any refrigerated formula not used within 24 hours. Re-warm for no more than 15 minutes, by placing in a container of warm water (make sure none of this water gets into the formula). Shake or swirl the bottle occasionally to reheat evenly. Check the temperature of the formula as above. Never use a microwave for any formula preparation or to warm-up formula. 

If you are going out and need to take a bottle, pour the correct amount of cooled boiled water in the bottle and in a separate container the correct number of scoops. When it comes to feeding your infant, warm up the bottle of water then add the formula powder

Tip: You can boil enough water for all your infant’s formula for the day and pour the correct amount into sterilized bottles for storage in the fridge. Place the caps on the bottles, and the cooled boiled water is ready to use when you are ready to feed your baby. Discard any unused water after 24 hours.

It is not recommended to transfer the entire contents of the can into another container. If you are going out then you can transfer the correct number of scoops of formula into a smaller, sterilized, dry container for convenience.

Once a can of infant formula powder has been opened, it can be safely kept for four weeks following the storage/usage instructions on the can. To help you remember when you opened the can, write the date on the lid.

Any unused powder must be discarded after four weeks.

For individualized advice, please see your pediatrician for support.

If complementary feeding is needed, it is best to wait for breastfeeding to become established, at least 6–8 weeks before introducing a bottle. 

Using breastmilk and expressed breastmilk together:

When possible, always offer the breast first, followed by the bottle with expressed breastmilk if you are doing top-off feeding. Otherwise, expressed breastmilk in a bottle can be used to feed your little one by a babysitter if you are away from your baby. If you have to miss breastfeeds because you are away from your baby (e.g., you are at work), and your circumstances allow it, try to express your breastmilk at feeding times to maintain your supply. 

Using breastmilk and a2 Platinum® together for top-off feeds: 

To begin with, when introducing mixed feeding, offer the breast first, followed by the bottle with a small amount (e.g., 2 Fl. oz) of a2 Platinum® once per day. After 2-3 days, introduce a second bottle in the same way with a small volume of a2 Platinum®. After another 2-3 days, introduce a third bottle in the same manner, gradually building up a2 Platinum® feeding volumes at different feeding times over 3-4 weeks, depending on your individual circumstances. In this way, you are introducing mixed feeding slowly and this will allow your little one to make a smooth transition to mixed feeding and will also allow you to keep up your own breastmilk supply. 

It may take at least 3 to 4 weeks to achieve the desired mix of breast and bottle feeding. If your baby is being bottle fed while you are away from your baby and your circumstances allow it, try to express at feeding times to maintain your supply.

Tip – if you want to introduce a bottle your baby might accept it more readily if given by someone else (your baby will be able to smell your breastmilk on you and may refuse the bottle).

a2 Platinum is formulated for term infants 0 - 12 months of age. It is not formulated for use in preterm infants. 

a2 Platinum is formulated for term infants 0 - 12 months of age. It is not formulated for use in preterm infants. Powdered infant formulas are not sterile and should not be fed to premature infants or infants who are immunocompromised unless directed and under the direct supervision of the infant's health care provider.