(HealthDay News) — If you cannot or decide not to breast-feed, there are a few things to remember when preparing her bottle. Here are some guidelines, courtesy of the Nemours Foundation:

• Always companies follow the directions on the package for the type of formula you buy.
• Throw away any formula that is unused or unrefrigerated for more than an hour.
• Don’t give your baby a bottle that has been pre-mixed and refrigerated for more than 24 hours.
• Heat up the refrigerated bottle (not in a microwave) before feeding it to your baby — but be sure to test the formula to make sure it’s not too hot.