Baby Formula Milk is prepared as per the Department of Health Regulations, NHS guidance and the manufacturers guidance for preparing baby formula milk. 

Free formula milk can be provided by the Free Milk Scheme for eligible parents.  

Formula milk that is given under prescription should be in the original packaging with a prescription label attached.

Parents must inform staff of all changes to their baby's feeding routine.

Parents who provide powder milk:

• Formula powder milk - as a powder in a container, labelled with child's name,  name of manufacturer and amount.
• Clean feeding bottles - as many as will be needed.    We do not expect to clean and sterilise bottles whilst we care for the child.

The Tots' Clubhouse will provide the boiling water to prepare the formula powder milk when required.

Feeding bottles that are provided should be cleaned an sterilised following the NHS guidance:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/bottle-feeding/sterilising-baby-bottles/

Parents who provide ready-mixed powdered formula milk must confirm with staff the following:

• The manufacturer of the formula milk.
• The amount of power that they are providing.
• The amount of water that they should prepare.

Parents who provide ready-mixed liquid milk:

• Formula ready-mixed milk - as a liquid in an original shop bought container with child's name and amount.

Parents must inform staff of the following:

• Quantities/amounts of milk to be given to the child.
• The times when they would be expected to be given the milk.

The Tots' Clubhouse Nursery School will take information from parents and respect their wishes.  However, staff reserve the right to:

• Refuse to mix formula milk with whole milk (or semi-skimmed).
• Throw away any formula milk that is provided by a parent if there are visible concerns that the milk has not been prepared correctly or is spoilt upon opening.  A photograph will be taken and shared with the parent to advise why the milk has been disposed of.
• Throw away any formula milk that is unused and has been kept in the fridge for 2-hours.

The Tots' Clubhouse Nursery School staff will follow the NHS guidance for preparing the formula milk as below:

Step-by-step guide to preparing a formula feed

• Step 1: Fill the kettle with at least 1 litre of fresh tap water (do not use water that has been boiled before).
• Step 2: Boil the water. Then leave the water to cool for no more than 30 minutes, so that it remains at a temperature of at least 70C.
• Step 3: Clean and disinfect the surface you are going to use.
• Step 4: It's important that you wash your hands.
• Step 5: If you are using a cold-water steriliser, shake off any excess solution from the bottle and the teat, or rinse them with cooled boiled water from the kettle (not tap water).
• Step 6: Stand the bottle on the cleaned, disinfected surface.
• Step 7: Follow the manufacturer's instructions and pour the amount of water you need into the bottle. Double check that the water level is correct. Always put the water in the bottle first, while it is still hot, before adding the powdered formula.
• Step 8: Loosely fill the scoop with formula powder, according to the manufacturer's instructions, then level it using either the flat edge of a clean, dry knife or the leveller provided. Different formulas come with different scoops. Make sure you only use the scoop that comes with the formula.
• Step 9: Holding the edge of the teat, put it into the retaining ring, check it is secure, then screw the ring tightly onto the bottle. Make sure the ring is attached firmly.
• Step 10: Cover the teat with the cap and shake the bottle until the powder is dissolved.
• Step 11: It's important to cool the formula so it's not too hot to drink. Do this by holding the bottle (with the lid on) under cold running water.
• Step 12: Test the temperature of the formula on the inside of your wrist before giving it to your baby. It should be body temperature, which means it should feel warm or cool, but not hot.
• Step 13: If there is any made-up formula left in the bottle after a feed, throw it away.
   

The Tots' Clubhouse Nursery School staff will ensure that they:

• Do follow the manufacturer's instructions very carefully, as they vary as to how much water and powder to use.
• Do not add extra formula powder when making up a feed. This can make your baby constipated or dehydrated.
• Do not add extra water when making up a feed. Too little powder may not give your baby enough nourishment.
• Do not add sugar or cereals to your baby's formula.
• Never warm up formula in a microwave, as it may heat the feed unevenly and burn your baby's mouth.

Please refer to the manufacturers guidance for more information.

We follow NHS guidnace on the types of formula suitable for babies.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/bottle-feeding/types-of-formula/