What is the best way to mix milk with water?

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Ngo Thi Oanh - Pediatrician - Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital.

Milk is the only source of nutrition for a newborn baby. For children with inadequate breast milk that must be supplemented with formula milk, how to make milk is really a basic but extremely valuable lesson that parents need to "know" by heart.

Until now, people often mix milk with boiling water with the thought that boiling water will help "cooked milk", easy to stir, and kill germs. Reality is not so. If milk is mixed with hot water, the high temperature of the water will make the nutritional components of the milk easily destroyed, no longer guaranteed to supply the body. This inadvertently reduces the quality of milk unfortunately.
If you mix milk with cold water, the milk will be difficult to dissolve. Not only that, the cold temperature will make the enzymes in the baby's immature digestive system not work well. In addition, because babies have breastfeeding sessions with a similar body temperature while formula milk has a lower temperature, babies will be uncomfortable, fussy, and refuse to feed. Therefore, the best temperature of water for making baby formula is warm water.
Mix milk with warm water, preferably water from 40 to 50oC. Some parents often use one part boiling water mixed with two parts cold water to make warm water. This looks convenient, fast. However, this method is not recommended by nutritionists.
Instead, use a glass of boiled water and place it in a bowl of cold water to cool down to make milk for your baby right after. Because milk-based broth is best not left to cool at room temperature for more than two hours, it increases the risk of infection for the baby.

Depending on the volume of each feeding of the baby, mix only the right amount for each feeding. If the previous feeding is less, the next feeding may be slightly increased and vice versa. In the case that the baby sucks continuously, the amount of mixed milk is exhausted, in the following sessions, the mother can adjust the amount gradually, but do not have an attitude of forcing the child.

Accordingly, the amount of milk to be mixed must be customized according to the age, weight of the child and the child himself, there is no fixed formula for all cases. Moreover, always keep in mind that, for babies before six months of age, the best source of nutrition is still breast milk. Too much formula will prevent the baby from getting enough breast milk while breast milk is still the preferred source of nutrition.

Many parents want convenience, so they only mix one bottle of milk and use it to feed their baby throughout the night, forgetting that the mixed milk left in the environment for a long time will become a source of infection for the baby's immature digestive system.
It is necessary to calculate before each milk preparation so that the amount of milk is neither too much nor too short. If the baby does not finish the milk, the remaining milk should be destroyed. Absolutely do not store in the refrigerator and reheat to feed the baby again. The reason is because the temperature changes will make the nutritional components of the child no longer guaranteed. At the same time, excess milk is also at risk of contamination or milk will be curdled and separated, which can easily cause digestive disorders.

Some parents think that if milk is mixed with juice, it will have a delicious taste, and children will enjoy it. However, that is not the case at all. The only recommended type of broth for baby formula is plain water. Any other type of water is not suitable, and can even be dangerous.
Although fruit is a rich source of vitamins for the body, for babies under six months there is nothing better than milk. When the child grows up, the mother can practice giving the baby more juice; However, it should be kept away from feedings. The reason is that fruit contains a lot of vitamin C and some organic acids, these substances combine with milk proteins to make milk curdle, children will have indigestion, bloating, vomiting and choking when lying down.
In addition, do not use vegetable juice, broth, porridge, soup, meat broth, mineral water... to make milk for children. What good can happen is uncertain, while there is a very high risk of damage to a child's fragile digestive system, which does not yet have enough enzymes to digest all food sources.

Before each feeding, the caregiver should ensure that a pair of hands have been washed with soap. Many studies have proven that caregivers' hands are the leading cause of infection for babies when preparing milk, feeding babies, cleaning, and changing diapers.
After each feeding, bottles, teats, cups, stirrers, milking spoons should be washed thoroughly with soap under running water. The type of toilet soap needs to be safe for children. Pay attention to scrub the inside and outside with a brush, especially around the mouth of the bottle and the lid. After that, it should be dried or dried in the sun, stored in a dust-proof box. Before each milk preparation, do not forget to rinse in boiling water. At the same time, this also heats the bottle, helping to increase the ability to retain heat for the milk after brewing.

Although there are now many options for sterilizing bottles safely, including boiling, using a microwave, and a dishwasher, the use of a bottle warmer and sterilizer is still the solution. Convenient, easy to use and save time. Therefore, choosing a suitable heating and sterilizing device is of great interest to many people. The Moaz Bébé MB-005 milk warmer, sterilizer and dryer is considered an effective assistant for mothers, with outstanding features such as:
Exquisite design and modern technology with a large sterilization chamber. Spacious, can hold 5-6 bottles and nipples at the same time. The machine is designed to fit all wide-neck bottles and can sterilize baby's bowls and spoons. The milk heating and sterilization functions work independently of each other, with an accompanying buzzer when each process is completed. However, parents need to pay attention to clean things, splash them with water to dry before putting them in the sterilizer because bacteria can easily multiply in a humid environment, so it is recommended that you dry them before sterilizing. Parents should also carefully read the user manual of each model for safe and effective disinfection.

Making milk for children is an easy task, but it is not simple at all. All operations and methods also need to be learned and looked up, especially for first-time parents. Only when you can do that can you feel secure to bring out the best for your child.
For children to be healthy and develop well, it is necessary to have a nutritious diet in terms of quantity and quality balance. If children are not provided with adequate and balanced nutrients, it will lead to diseases of excess or lack of nutrients, which adversely affect the comprehensive development of children in terms of physical, mental and motor skills.
Children who do not eat properly are at risk of micro-mineral deficiency causing anorexia, growth retardation, malabsorption,... If they notice the above signs, parents should supplement their children with products. The supplement contains lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, and B vitamins to help fully meet the nutritional needs of children. At the same time, these essential vitamins also support digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, help improve anorexia, and help children eat well.
Parents can learn more:
Signs of zinc deficiency in children
Micronutrient deficiency and failure to gain weight in children
Please regularly visit Vinmec.com website and update useful information to take care of your child. Take care of the baby and the whole family.