Anyone use the Tommee Tippee Perfect Prep machine?

[Taler]

We are away and somehow (?????) forgot to bring it with us.

So we firstly tried filling up our DD's sterilised bottle with 8oz of freshly boiled water, then adding the 8 scoops of formula, shaking it well to mix, then standing it in ice and cold water to cool down. This didn't really work as we found that the bottle was far too hot to touch in order to shake it.

So, we are now pouring about 2oz of freshly boiled water into the bottle, then putting the 8 scoops of formula in and topping it up to 8oz with some boiled water that was made fresh in the morning which we poured into a flask (and which come this evening was still quite warm). It still needed to be cooled down which we did again with ice water but it was a quicker turn around plus the bottle wasn't too hot to touch.

I guess I'm just wanting your thoughts on whether you think this is ok - it's pretty similar to how the Prep machine works.

I seem to remember reading a while ago someone on here having a similar problem but can't recall what it was or what they did.

Thanks in advance.

[ExBrightonBell]

I've never made up formula, but I thought you weren't supposed to use just boiled water? I think you're supposed to leave the water to cool down for 20 mins or so, so that it's still hotter than 70 degrees, but not 100 degrees.

[stargirl1701]

You need to leave the kettle for 20 min or so before filling the bottle. And, wrap the bottle in a tea towel while shaking it.

[MrsSpencerReid]

If you add water after the formula and measure against the bottle you won't add enough water as the formula takes up room, if you make up a 8oz bottle water first then powder you will have almost 9oz. If you do 2oz then powder then add 6oz from another bottle you will have the right amount, I mix the powder by swilling the bottle in a circle while hot, then giving a good shake once cool enough (and use premixed on holiday )

[Taler]

Thank you for your replies. Do you have the Prep Machine? Only in case u don't it gives out a shot of boiling water first which then kills any bacteria there may be in the formula and/or bottle. You then add the formula, shake well to mix, then it gets topped up to the required level and you have the 'perfect' bottle (meaning at the perfect temperature).

I was thinking the way we did it tonight was as close to that as possible.

Do you think it's not right?

[beccajoh]

What do the instructions on the box say to do?

[Goldmandra]

Do you think it's not right?

You need to have 8 scoops of formula plus 8oz of water, not 8oz of made up formula which contains 8 scoops of powder. The latter is too strong.

[Taler]

The instructions are only for the machine itself. There is no guidance as to what to do if you have gone on holiday and stupidly forgot to take the machine with you

[ExBrightonBell]

No idea what the machine does, but it would have to produce the correct ratio of water to powder otherwise it would be dangerous.

MrsSpencerReid is correct that you must not top up the water after adding powder, but add the correctly measured volume of water to make the total amount of water required. Otherwise you are making the formula too concentrated which is dangerous for your baby if you keep doing it.

[Taler]

Goldmandra - to confirm my DD has 8 scoops of formula with 8oz of water

[ExBrightonBell]

The formula container will have the correct instructions on it, please do check this.

[SueDNim]

But that isn't what you said. You said you topped upto 8oz.

[Jaffakake]

I understand what you're asking, I'll probably buy one if those machines next time. You need to simply follow the instructions on the formula box to make sure you're doing it right and not ending up with a constipated or hungry baby. It'll be frustrating and you'll need to either get organised to make up the feed. & cool it in time, or put up with a screaming baby ( not much a holiday I grant you), but that's just the way you'll need to do it rather than try & circumvent the faff.

Sorry x x

[ExBrightonBell]

You could use the ready made cartons/bottles for the duration of your holiday if you are worried about making up powdered formula, assuming you are somewhere you can purchase these. It would be a bit more expensive but might be more relaxing for your holiday.

[Goldmandra]

Taler you said you were topping up to 8oz. That isn't the same as adding 8oz of water.

8oz of water plus 8 scoops of formula powder creates more than 8oz of mixed formula.

You could do it by adding the powder to 2oz of hot water, shaking it, then measure the additional 6oz of cooler water in another bottle and add that. This would ensure that you have the correct amount of water.

[SweetPeaPods]

Boil kettle. Allow to cool for 30mins. Add desired oz to bottle. Add same number of scoops of formula. Shake well. Cool under cold tap or in bowl of cold water. This is I believe the recommended way to kill any bacteria.

However I know many that boil kettle, allow to cool for 30mins, then pour into several bottles and replace bottle lid. They then just add the powder when required. This means they have the bottles on demand instead of having to wait 30mind each time.

If you are trying to replicate the Perfect prep machine then top one is best bet.

[Xmasbaby11]

What I do is keep bottles half filled with cooled boiled water. Then top up each one (when about to feed) with freshly boiled water (keep in flask). This seems to make the water the right temperature. Then add formula, shake, cool a bit if necessary and serve. You do get a feel for how much cool : hot water you need to get the temperature right.

[Goldmandra]

Xmas you need to read the instructions on the formula. AFAIK, it is considered important to ensure that the formula is mixed in water above 70 degrees in order to kill off food poisoning bacteria that may be present in the powder.

By mixing your baby's formula in cooler water you may be putting him or her at risk.

[ExBrightonBell]

Goldmandra is right, Xmas and Sweetpea. The formula powder must be mixed with water that is at least 70 degrees. To use cool or cold water will not kill any nasties lurking in the formula powder. Formula powder is not sterile, and the manufacturers acknowledge this in their instructions.

If you want to make a bottle up quickly, use ready made formula which is sterile. If this isn't possible then the second best option is to make up bottles (correctly) in advance then flash cool and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

[Taler]

Just to confirm today we have been following the instructions on the Aptamil formula which says to boil 1 litre of fresh water (not sure why 1 litre??), leave to cool for no longer that 30 minutes (assume this is maybe because after 30 mins the temperature would go below 70 deg???), add the required amount of scoops, mix well and cool under a cold running tap (we have been cooling though in ice water to speed it up more).

[MrsSpencerReid]

That's the long and proper way to do it, it's not what you said on your third paragraph of the op which is maybe where some confusion has come from! Hope you are having a lovely holiday

[Taler]

We hadn't been doing it that way but today we have and will continue to do this way.

Just a pain in the whatsit as havig been used to the perfect prep machine all this time that gives you the "perfect" bottle in under 2 minutes, we now have all this 'faff' every time we wanna make up a feed !

Oh well

[ExBrightonBell]

I would imagine that the 1 litre instruction is so that the water cools at the expected rate. A smaller volume of water would cool quicker and be colder than 70 degrees after 30 mins.

[MrsSpencerReid]

It's one of those things you don't realise how great they are till you don't have it!!