How do you heat bottles!

[froglou]

Don't judge me! I'm in early pregnancy and have no experience everyone I'm asking says completely different, I'm being told to use a microwave which I've now been told is unhygienic then I'm told to make bottles up as I go and let them cool rather than warm premade, and then I'm told that's not really a good idea and I will need to reheat pre make bottles!

Getting so much conflicting advice! What do you do to heat bottles and are the microwave sterilisation kits ok or are they no good either?

[dementedpixie]

The guidance is to make the bottles up as you need them so you wouldn't need to reheat them - use water that has been left no longer than 30 minutes after boiling, add powder, shake to mix and then cool them with cold water (put in jug of cold water or hold under a cold running tap). If you do make in advance using boiled water over 70degrees then they can be stored in the back of the fridge (not the door) for a maximum of 24 hours. Microwaves aren't recommended for heating due to the possibility of hot spots but you could get round that by shaking to mix after heating. There are options of a jug of boiled water to stand the bottle in or a bottle warmer.

[Soubriquet]

Always used the microwave

Just gave it a bloody good shake before testing

[dementedpixie]

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/making-up-infant-formula.aspx

www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/Pages/infant-formula-questions.aspx

[cookielove]

If you have the money get a perfect prep machine, they are the best! Each bottle can be made fresh, it only takes 2 mins and they come out at body temp!

It works by delivering a "hot shot" to the bottle which yoh mix the powder into and then it tops up with sterilised cool water. Creating the perfect bottle :)

[LifeBeginsNow]

I sterilise the bottles in the microwave (the unopened steriliser keeps them safe for up to 48hours so I always have some in there ready to go (I do 4 at a time).

I boil the kettle and leave to cool for 30mins. When ready, I pour into the bottles and add the milk powder and give it a good shake. The bottles are left to cool on the side for a little while and then I put them in the fridge. I find 4 at a time works for me.

As for reheating, take the lid and teat off and put in the microwave (I heat for 35seconds but it's trial and error depending on your microwave). Give it a good shake and test on your wrist. It shouldn't be hot or cold, sort of room temperature is best.

[dementedpixie]

I don't think they are recommended as they don't give enough of a hot shot to kill bacteria in the formula and the water doesn't stay hot enough to do so either

[dementedpixie]

That was the perfect prep I was talking about

[NapQueen]

I never reheated mine. I made them four at a time with hot water, cooled them and kept them in the fridge. Both of mine fed to a rough 3 hour routine so I'd take a bottle out of the fridge 30 mins or so before a feed and they drank at room temperature.

[Artandco]

Cookie - those pre prep machines are not recommended by the NHS or WHO as they say they aren't made up hot enough. 6 scoops of powder need 6oz of hot water to kill any germs in powder. 2oz hot water isn't enough to kill 6 scoops of powder.

[Diddlydokey]

I also made up, rapid cooled and stored in the back of the fridge. I then popped in the microwave and gave it a good shake. This isn't recommended due to the possibility of hot spots but common sense to me is that shaking it would disperse any of that.

I only gave the milk at room temp so he would take a ready made carton as well as a warm bottle.

When they're older it is easy to make them up when you need them as they're in a routine but this is hard for new babies IME.