BF just not working, how do you make formula up?

[insertwittynicknameHERE]

Sorry for the long explanation but I feel I need to explain why DD is no longer breastfed.

I BF DD2 for 2 days exclusively while I was in the mat home, I had problems and had to have tests and the prep for one of the tests meant I couldn't feed her for 12 hours after and no one told me. Subsequently the MW's gave DD some bottled formula (I was not there at the time as I was having said tests) DD seemed to go back on the breast okay after the 12 hours had elapsed, but sadly it was not to be, so DD was mixed fed from then on as she would only latch on for about 5 minutes then get 'lazy' as it is easier for her to get the milk from the bottle.

I tried expressing, but got/get next to nothing out (certainly not enough for a feed) Both DD and I then got thrush and she would not latch on at all. Got a bit better for a few weeks, but now DD will not go on at all, and has not latched on in 3 days.

So it looks like it is formula from now on. I have been using the ready made milk but am not going to be able to use it all the time as it is a very big expense. So have bought some powdered milk. How on earth do I make it up, on the tin it says to boil the kettle leave water to cool slightly for 30 minutes then make the feed up and cool bottle in cold running water. DD (or any baby I know of) is not going to wait that long for her milk when she is hungry.

How do you make the feeds up?

[MrsBadger]

the tin is quite right re the safest way to do it - the water needs to be at 70ºC to kill any bugs lurking in the powder, which isn;t sterile.

What you can do is dissolve the powder in a smaller volume of just-boiled water, then add the rest of the volume in cold water to bring it to drinking temp.
Make sure you use the right amount of cold though - don;t just fill it up to the line on the bottle. So if you dissolve (eg) 6 scoops in 2oz hot water, measure the remaining 4oz of cold in a measuring jug and add to the bottle.

Obv you will need to experiment with proportions of hot to cold to get it to dd's favoured temp...

[insertwittynicknameHERE]

Thank you, that sounds like a good way. Does the cold water have to be boiled and cooled first? (like at the beginning of the day)

[MrsBadger]

not as far as I know - drinking water in the UK is perfectly safe.

[tiktok]

All water mixed with formula powder has to be boiled first, MrsB.

It's all in the leaflet which you should be able to get from your HV or MW, OP.

The water is prob safe but it's supposed to be boiled to ensure any bugs in taps and pipes are zapped.

The formula powder may have bacteria in, and this is why the water you put on the formula has to be no more than 70 deg C.

The work round you suggest is prob ok, but the extra water must be boiled, according to guidance.

[clouiseg]

I have never heard of giving a baby tap water. It needs to be pre boiled and cooled ime. This is why we are advised to give formula fed babies COOLED BOILED WATER as well as formula to combat dehydration.

When we make formula up, we sterilise 6 bottles and make them all up at once as per the instructions on the tin. Boil the kettle, pour the water (1oz per scoop) and leave the water in the bottles to cool for 10 minutes. We then add the formula powder and shake well.

We then cool them all in a sink full of cold water or a large pan, then refrigerate them immediately.

This way, we do not need to make them up on demand. They will keep in the fridge. We always dispose of any unsused feeds after 24 hours and make fresh ones. We have a nice routine that, when we get down to one bottle left in the fridge we make the new batch.

The only thing lo should have to wait for is the heating of the bottle!!

Good luck xxx

[nannynick]

I think officially I am meant to point you towards this leaflet.
MrsBadger's method is a good compromise.
The cold water should ideally be boiled and cooled first, regardless of if it is bottled water, or tap water. Keep the previously boiled water in a container with a lid in the fridge, so it keeps cold - and replace it every 24 hours (or sooner).

[MrsBadger]

whoops, sorry

went hunting for the link to that leaflet nannyncik but I have lost all my bookmarks and couldnt; get the right DOH page

[insertwittynicknameHERE]

Thanks everyone, just gonna read through that leaflet now

[insertwittynicknameHERE]

Would it be okay for me to sterilize the bottles, boil the kettle add half the amount needed of hot water to the bottles, let it cool and keep them in the fridge. Then when DD wants a feed, boil the kettle add the amount of hot water to the cold water that makes up her full feed and add the milk powder?

[tiktok]

No, sorry - the powder will then be added to water that's too cold to kill the bugs in the powder. The powder must meet water no cooler than 70 deg C.

[fishie]

i would imagine you could put the hot bottle into cold water, as you would when cooling down cooked food to put in the fridge.

you'd have to shake it well to be sure of even temperature.