Perfect prep

[user1465146157]

Hi - just had a call from our health visitor asking if I've got a formula machine - I've got a perfect prep machine after being told by so many friends how wonderful they are

HV said they are actually really dangerous and can breed bacteria

Is this right? Bit gutted - haven't used it yet but was feeling quite prepared having got it early.
Plus heard they're amazing

Anyone else know about this?

[GunsAndShips]

Health professionals will not recommend them to you and the NHS specifically say not to use them but more due to the insufficient "hot shot" rather than the bacteria issue.

People do buy them though and in their thousands so they remain popular despite the official guidelines.

[zaffa]

Our health visitor told
Me the same and said it could be the reason DD had so much tummy pain after bottles etc.
Turned out she had a CMPA! But once I googled there is loads of info on how the perfect prep machine breeds bacteria. In the end I would fill a flask with boiled water that would cool and make my own 'perfect prep' combination. It worked well

[whatswithtodaytoday]

Yes, they can be a problem but if you clean it regularly and change the filters when it tells you to it will be fine. Hundreds of thousands of people use them.

[Parker231]

There aren’t problems with perfect prep if you clean them properly. They are brilliant for new parents. I’ve never heard of anyone who has had any problems with it.

[GunsAndShips]

Perfect Prep machines Some people now use ‘Perfect Prep machines’. We advise you against using one of these machines. This is because they deliver a small volume (‘shot’) of very hot water and then add cool water to make up the rest of the feed. This is not sufficient to kill the bacteria in formula milk. The Food Standards Agency recommends using cooled, boiled water above 70 degrees centigrade to make up infant formula

That's what it says in the leaflet our local hospital hands out to new parents.

[NelliePig]

Having split the hot shot water on my hand before I'm pretty sure its hot enough to kill the bacteria, it's just as hot if not hotter than boiling and leahing kettle for 30 mins like it says on my aptimil tin. Then the powder is added, shaken and then add the cold water. It's no different to how I made bottles up before I got it, just easier 🤷‍♀️

[dontmesswiththeGC]

I echo what @NelliePig says, the water it almost boiling hot. Sounds like the hospital leaflet mentioned above is misinformed, not realising the formula is added to the hot shot to kill the bacteria and the cool water is only added afterwards. You just need to make sure you're regularly cleaning the water tank and filter and there won't be a problem. No doubt there are lots of people that don't bother hence the danger. Mine's been an absolute lifesaver, can't imagine not having it.

[user1465146157]

Thanks all - I am just a bit worried now as it's not something that crosses my mind before

I would like to try it just because so many people recommend it and say how good it is

Also surely they'd stop selling them if they were dangerous? Or maybe not I don't know...

[iusedtoloveopalfruits1]

There was an issue with people buying cheap filters to use in the machine which caused the internal plumbing to grow bacteria/mould
Clean the machine regularly and use only tommee tippee filters and it’s absolutely fine.

[GunsAndShips]

I've had a look at the evidence (cursory, I have no skin in this!) and it isn't that the hot shot isn't hot, it's that it isn't sufficient ie not enough hot water to kill all the bacteria.

Again, from the NHS:

I am thinking about buying a Perfect Prep Machine, is this advisable? There are some safety concerns regarding these machines. The amount of liquid in the ‘hot shot’ may not be enough to kill any bacteria in the formula. Once the ‘hot shot’ hits the cold bottle / formula, it is cooled below the recommended 70°C. The rest of the feed is topped up with cold, filtered water. This water has not been boiled to remove bacteria in the tap water. The pipes and filters within the machine require regular cleaning and changing to prevent the build-up of mould which can lead to stomach upsets in babies

I've never used one, never even seen one so have no investment either way. My SIL loved hers.

[Unicorners]

I've used one for both of mine, we clean it regularly and change filters as soon as it advises and have never had problems. Maybe fill it with cooled boiled water from the kettle? This has just occurred to me but surely that would kill bacteria and it would get filtered too?

[jaffacakesareabiscuit]

I had one and never had any issues with it. HV saw it sitting in the kitchen and never made any mention either way!

I think the initial problems with mould etc were because people realised cheaper Britta water filters fitted in the machine so they used those instead. I used the proper filters and cleaned the machine every time it was changed and never saw any mould.

[AllDayHappyHour]

I didn’t use one last time but only because I combi fed and didn’t think it was worth it but next time I will buy one. Just follow the cleaning instructions, I used my brothers many many times with no problems. I agree with the PP regarding the hot shot working fine.

[Thomasia]

Your health visitor is right. They are not very hygienic and are a collection point for all your household bacteria and mould and even virus's like e.coli. The cleaning cycle of hot water will reduce but not kill the bacteria count. Vinegar doesn't kill the bacteria or any virus' either. If your child has any feeding, digestive or respiratory issues and you are using one. Stop using it and throw it away, or demand a refund for it- but be prepared for Tommee Tippee customer service to gaslight and insult you first.

[Getyourarseofffthequattro]

Op they are fine. The issue was never mould it was carbon if I remember rightly but if you clean it and use the correct filter it doesn't happen. I took mine apart at the time and it was fine.

The NHS say you should make every bottle fresh which is obviously totally ridiculous so I don't personally see them as a realistic source if information.

[Caspianberg]

The problem is not the hot shot temp, but that the amount of hot shot.

1 scoop of water needs 1oz of hot water about 70 to kill bacteria

You can’t have 6 scoops of powder. Add 2oz of hot water, mix then 4oz of cold. Well you can, but that’s what the nhs mean by not sufficient amount as the powder is tested with 1-1 ratio, not the hot shot then other cooler water. So if you use machine, it’s not been signed off by formula companies as safe

[Thomasia]

It was only carbon in a few machines that used wilco filters. The majority was and is mould. Mould is slimy, carbon isn't. Carbon doesn't give positive tests for e.coli.
I have unique, first hand knowledge of this. They lied to Trading Standards, the FSA and the public and continue to get away with it sadly.

[Getyourarseofffthequattro]

@Thomasia

It was only carbon in a few machines that used wilco filters. The majority was and is mould. Mould is slimy, carbon isn't. Carbon doesn't give positive tests for e.coli.
I have unique, first hand knowledge of this. They lied to Trading Standards, the FSA and the public and continue to get away with it sadly.

Well equally I never had a problem. I used the correct filters and cleaned it properly and there was no mould or carbon.

[Thomasia]

The amount of water to formula was rigorously tested and externally validated. If memory serves, the 4oz needs the formula in first to ensure kill rate is achieved.
The problem with the machine is what lurks and grows inside the machine and is then deposited into the bottle.

[Thomasia]

That's good to hear. I just can't personally recommend them.

[TwinMum35]

Gonna do the survivors bias thing that I really hate 😂

My twins have had 2300 bottles from it so far and it’s a lifesaver

[Thomasia]

Relieved and pleased to hear it. It's probably done their immune system good. Americans don't usually sterilise.
If in doubt open the back up. Obviously Tommee Tippee don't want you to do this, but if anyone has concerns about their machine, or you purchase second hand or reuse for a second or third child I would say this is a must. If your silicone pipes are not clear, it's not clean.