Confused about making up formula feeds when out and about

[wolfcubEm83]

I know this has probably been done to death but so many people tell me so many things im so confused!!

I have been making a feed from fresh (boiling water cooled for about 10 mins then adding formula) then taking it out in my changing bag and making sure it is used within 2 hours or discarded. If DD needs feeding after that i would use a carton but she has decided that she doesnt like carton milk anymore and refuses to drink it. I have therefore been faffing around with flasks of boiling water, tupperware with formula in, sterilised bottles and a measuring jug for cold water to cool bottle down - all of which takes about 30 minutes.

I was out with a friend who ff's and she had a bottle of cooled boiled water in her bag, got it out, added formula and gave it her DC. I dont know how long the water had been in her bag. Now, i didnt think this was ok.....it seems an awful lot easier but i thought the whole point was to use boiling water (no less that 70 degrees) to kill any potential nasties in the formula.

This got me thinking though.....in our local shopping centre the baby rooms have bottle warmers which has always struck me as strange because im always trying to cool my milk down to make it ready for DD, not warm it up.

What do you do???

[ghostsoverbones]

I was going to suggest the cartons, have you tried warming them up?

If not then the next safest way is to make the feed as normal, but cool really quickly in the fridge and then use within 2 hours of taking out. Another alternative is half cooled boiled water and freshly boiled water mix and then cool.

Much better than making with cold water. It's not safe, follow your instincts.

It may not actually do much harm if they pick up a bug, but personally I'd avoid a tummy bug in a baby at all costs!

[JiltedJohnsGhoulie]

Not sure sorry wolfcub, thought you might find the Who guidelines useful though.

[wolfcubEm83]

Thanks Ghostoverbones - she hates them warm or cool. Shes 17 weeks so developing her little personality, it so funny cuz when you try to give a carton to her she looks at you like you are trying to poison her, same as with a dummy

Its the 2 hour thing that gets me, i like to take DD out lots and if we're over 2 hours i start panicking about making a new bottle and cooling it down.

[ilovedjasondonovan]

My personal preference at the time was the same as your friends.

2 kids later and only 1 upset tummy.

Each to their own thoughm, do what you are happy with.

[JiltedJohnsGhoulie]

wolfcub if it was me I'd read up on it before deciding, but then I like to do that with most things.

[wolfcubEm83]

Oooh, i have just seen a thermabag on Ebay.....apparently this keeps made up formula cold for up to 4 hours, so i could make it up, cool it in the fridge then pop it in the bag and just take a flask of hot water to warm it - or use the bottle warmers!!!

Thanks for all of your input and for the guidelines JiltedJohn