Certified Lactation Consultant Practice Exam

The correct choice highlights the importance of using water at a sufficiently high temperature to ensure the safety and proper mixing of formula. When preparing infant formula, particularly powdered formula, it is crucial to use water at a temperature of at least 70ºC (158ºF). This temperature is recommended because it helps to effectively kill any potential harmful bacteria that may be present in the powdered formula.

The use of hot water not only ensures that the formula is adequately mixed but also decreases the risk of bacterial contamination, which could pose serious health risks to infants. Additionally, this higher temperature ensures that the formula dissolves easily and fully, providing the infant with the intended nutritional benefits without clumping.

Using lower temperatures may not provide the same level of safety and could potentially allow harmful pathogens to survive, compromising the formula’s safety for the infant. Therefore, selecting water at least at 70ºC effectively balances the need for safety with the practical aspects of preparing formula for feeding.