Been making bottles wrong

[WalkingBlind]

Right now i feel like the worst mother in the world. DS is 10 weeks old and is my second. We have a Perfect Prep which I've never used before.... Turns out I've been using it wrong and he's been getting an extra scoop of formula with every bottle. I still use the kettle method when out and about so it's been about 70% of his feeds since birth.

I will let the health visitor know on her next visit which is 2 days but am I likely to have done a lot of damage? The rules are on the powder for a reason Is this so bad that I should see a doctor today?

[suitsyousir79]

My DP's friend always an extra scoop of formula "for luck" which she was disgusted with, but never did the child any harm. Im sure in the brain fog of early parenthood, lots of babies get an extra scoop of formula on more than one occasion. I would not sweat it, and just change the way you prep from now on.

[pocketsized]

I think the only real problem with extra powder is that it can cause constipation, but other than that I can't see it would cause too much harm.

[Zampa]

I think that the issue would be with dehydration. Too much powder, not enough water. Is he having a decent amount of wet nappies etc. Personally, I wouldn't worry. I don't follow formula instructions to the letter and my GP actually told me to disregard them in some instances.

[dementedpixie]

The only harm it could do is cause constipation so stop worrying.

[Squegg]

I would only worry if he's been constipated or showing other signs of dehydration. Can I ask how you were putting an extra scoop in, was the machine on the wrong measure of water?

[WalkingBlind]

He was constipated a lot but for the past couple of weeks he's not been so bad (we changed formulas).

Thank you I'm panicking a lot less now, I was worried he'd be getting too much of something in the formula but he has no signs of dehydration and plenty wet nappies.

At least I've realised now rather than carrying on, yeah the dial has been turned a number lower I got muddled when it came to the powder boosting up the bottle because you put it in after the 'hot shot' rather than at the end. So it looked like a 5oz was a 6oz... I thought the machine was just a dodgy one and turned the dial down by an oz (yes I do feel very stupid).

[Squegg]

Don't feel stupid, I was confused when I first used it that I was ending up an ounce extra than it was meant to be.

No harm done, glad you've hit on the right formula constipation is awful.

[flutterby77]

There would be no problem, the neonatal consultant asked me to put an extra scoop of formula in my sons bottle for extra calories as he was having difficulty drinking and gaining weight so he got more calories per ml. The only issue they asked me to look out for was constipation.