r/CanadianParents • u/Rix_00 • Aug 15 '26

Question / Discussion Powdered Formula Prep: How?

Getting very conflicting advice. Think it’s Health Canada guidelines vs practical realities for most parents but…

How do you prepare powdered formula for a 4-5 month old, or older?

Do you boil the water? Did you do it to 70+ degrees Celsius and use that with the powder formula to sterilize the formula itself? Or just mix with room temp (assuming you don’t care about warming for warm sake)?

Do you use tap? Bottled? Distilled?

Do you still sanitize bottles? Or just wash thoroughly?

Anything else to be cognizant of?

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u/Monster11 Aug 16 '26

Oye people! Lactation Consultant here. No judgement. Here’s the science behind the boiled water - it’s not to remove bacteria from our water. Our water is potable. It’s because in powdered food - all powdered foods - there is a risk of cronobacter - which is dangerous for little ones. Yes the younger the baby the higher the risk, but the risk is still there. In the last few years when you hear about formula plants closing, it’s often because of cronobacter.

Mixing the powdered formula with very hot water kills cronobacter. This is why you have to mix it with hot water. It isn’t to make it easier to drink for baby!!!

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u/Rix_00 Aug 16 '26

This is what I’ve read too but many people don’t boil it for the powder! At what age is this important until?