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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DH refuses to measure bottles

209 replies

CharmingDryad · 06/06/2025 15:57

DH refuses to measure the water and formula scoops when making bottles for our baby. The bottles have measurement lines on there. You just pour to your desired line, and sometimes pour a little out if it’s too much. But he says that’s too difficult to do. He also refuses to use the built-in level in the formula can to make the scoops exact so you know how much you’re giving her. He says, “that’s not how cooking works.” And “I just eyeball it.” He tries to eyeball the measurement, but it’s really not difficult to go ahead and use the level. Yet he refuses.

AIBU to demand he measure properly? Or am I being too fastidious?

OP posts:
Foodylicious · 06/06/2025 20:28

Make sure he's in and have the HV round.
Let her tell him and also find out what support there is for new Dads and families.

Mumof2amazingasdkiddos · 06/06/2025 20:26

CharmingDryad · 06/06/2025 18:25

Thanks for this. It’s a struggle to negotiate the new dynamics in our relationship now that we’re parents. I’m also reading “How not to hate your husband after kids.” It’s helpful. I recommend it.

@CharmingDryad I see the DH has realised he's been monumentally stupid and I hope this is the catalyst for him to listen to you with respect and do his research in future if other issues crop up. I hope your baby is healthy and no damage done and in many many years time you'll be able to laugh at that time he was a total dickhead and how much things have changed since then.

@LouiseMadetheBestBroccoliPasta thank you for posting this article, I only quickly scan read your post but I've bookmarked the article to read later. My ex hasn't seen the DC in over a year but is making noises and sniffing about to resume contact (needs a thread of its own and im not about to derail OPs!) And I think this article will come in very helpful as there have been many occasions in the past where his neglect has been defended as "different parenting styles" and this will help me be prepared to push back calmly and with factual info instead of just being dismissed as over reacting/trying to block his relationship with DC

Psychologymam · 06/06/2025 20:26

FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 06/06/2025 16:13

Is he being stupid? Or is it weaponised incompetence?

Weaponised incompetence. If he was merely an idiot, he would have changed his highly dangerous behaviour when it was pointed out to him. But he would happily put his child at risk because he knows if he does, mom will have to step in and be with baby all the time. Im sorry OP, he sounds like an awful father and partner - is this typical? Does he do this with other tasks? What’s the division of labour like in your house?

Nikki75 · 06/06/2025 20:12

Absolute stupid idiot .. measurments are there for a reason tell him , he is putting your baby at risk I'd lose my shit at this .

Motheroffive999 · 06/06/2025 20:04

This is not ok , constipation and other health problems will be the result of his actions.
He is not being a good parent.
Disgusting

Atina321 · 06/06/2025 19:54

If he won’t measure he can find the money to pay for pre-mixed formula.

If he refuses then this is serious enough to kick him out and refuse unsupervised contact. Your baby could end up really poorly.

If he isn’t measuring properly what else is he skimping on? Not buckling the car seat properly? Ignoring safe sleep advice?
Some things are non-negotiable.

Superscientist · 06/06/2025 19:50

NoMoreLifts · 06/06/2025 18:46

Types of cooking are different.
Stews etc., sure, eyeball it.
Sponges and cakes, no, that's chemistry.
This is very arrogant and careless of him.

My PhD chemistry professor used to give us a short shrift for comparing any form of cookery to chemistry/science or vice versa!

There's also a surprising amount of chemistry that's by eye! You often just need one thing measured properly and the everything else can usually be done relatively to that.

Quite of bit of my baking is by eye too or doesn't have to be too precise. The size of an egg can vary. I bake a lot with bananas as my daughter is dairy and egg free but the size of "3 bananas" that most recipes use can vary wildly! I was taught by my grandmother and she roughly measured thing but then adjusted by eye to find tune the look of the dough or the batter to what she'd expect it to be like

TortillaChipAddict · 06/06/2025 19:49

Maxorias · 06/06/2025 16:06

By two years I'm baffled you were still giving him formula at all ! My 15 month old daughter is on cow's milk, it's better for her and much cheaper.

OP, if your baby is young enough to need formula as a main source of food, your partner is being a dangerous dick. I'd be tempted to serve him dinner with a large hand ful of salt and, when he spits it out, say "oh, I just eyeballed it, it's fine, just eat it". But I'm a vindictive jerk 😁

But pp is right, he's showing you how much your baby's safety matters to him, or maybe weaponizing his incompetence so he doesn't have to do childcare.

Not all one year olds can drink cows milk and the alternatives are not suitable until 3

outerspacepotato · 06/06/2025 19:40

TaggieO · 06/06/2025 19:31

I’m sorry but I’d be wondering what else he wasn’t doing properly - putting her down on her back to sleep, buckling her in her car seat, being careful with hot drinks - I don’t think I could have someone like that around my child unsupervised.

I would worry about this too. He seems very oppositional.

I think he needs to attend parenting classes.

Barnbrack · 06/06/2025 19:39

CharmingDryad · 06/06/2025 18:25

Thanks for this. It’s a struggle to negotiate the new dynamics in our relationship now that we’re parents. I’m also reading “How not to hate your husband after kids.” It’s helpful. I recommend it.

Is he reading 'how not to be hated by your wife as new parents?' because why are you being blamed for this

Upinthetreetops · 06/06/2025 19:38

AliBaliBee1234 · 06/06/2025 19:29

Can we just for once not turn this into a man bashing thread. Who are you talking about - why do men do this? My husband measures everything correctly.

OP - not enough formula to water means not enough nutrients. Too much formula to water can cause constipation. It's important he follows the instructions and suggest you show him the nhs website.

Agree it's certainly not a 'men' thing as no man I've ever known has done this.
But just also to point out it's not just the lack of nutrients (which is bad enough) it's the excess water and potential kidney damage.

Barnbrack · 06/06/2025 19:37

WimbyAce · 06/06/2025 19:07

Wow! I remember how precise my OH was making bottles, more so than me even. Staggered he thinks it's OK just to guess! It's not like making squash.

Yep, my husband was SO exacting! Checked it hadn't gotten too cool to sterilise the powder, threw a bottle away if he got lost counting scoops, he was toof at the other way really but that's because he cared so much which leaves me to infer ops husband cares too little

Barnbrack · 06/06/2025 19:35

CharmingDryad · 06/06/2025 18:18

He’s an enthusiastic new dad. But he is really lacking common sense sometimes and is then stubborn about it. He is not neurodivergent in anyway, but struggles with basic things. He can’t follow directions and so says he “doesn’t believe in using directions.” I’m the assembler and fixit person in our house. But he does cook meals and take care of cats and plants. I am worried he won’t be careful enough with certain aspects of baby care. I feel I need to watch him and make sure to train him properly! Not a great feeling.

Does he follow basic directions in his workplace? If so it's not that he can't it's that he can't... Be bothered

Upinthetreetops · 06/06/2025 19:35

I really, genuinely, thought this was a wind up when I first read it.

Imagine being so far up your own arse that you'd willingly put your child's health at risk? And not just a slight risk, substantial risk.
Why do people like this choose to bring a child into the world if they can't care enough to keep the most vulnerable of human beings safe. This has really taken be aback. Most new parents would bend over backwards for their new baby, but he's done the polar opposite. That can't be psychologically right, can it?
I don't care if he supposedly didn't know, the point is you told him. And anyone providing care for their new baby does some research first, so you shouldn't have even had to tell him. He should have known. Arguing the toss with you about it was just the cherry on top. Not willing to even listen to the fact that he might be incorrect.
I'm sorry you're stuck with this man and I hope this type of behaviour doesn't continue, or I know what I'd be doing for my child and I.

QuestionableMouse · 06/06/2025 19:33

It's more like making medicine than cooking. He's a fucking idiot...

Ferretedaway · 06/06/2025 19:33

I’m relieved for you that this thread has helped him see this is very wrong.

Im laid back, but there are rules that are non-negotiable when it comes to being responsible for a baby/child. These are:
Nutrition and food safety - correct measurements of formula, correct amount of water; chopping up fruit, veg and other food that are choking risks, not feeding foods high in salt, sugar unless under medical guidance.
Safe sleeping - on back, not overheated, wearing suitable clothing/bedding.m
Safety outdoors - hand holding , reins if you’ve got a bolter, shutting garden gates etc.
Keeping all dangerous liquids, medicines, batteries , household equipment, out of range.

Also advise taking basic paediatric first aid courses so you know what to do about bleeding, choking, breathing problems ,potential broken bones, everyday illnesses etc.

Children in our care are 100% dependent on the adults in charge to keep them safe and as free from harm as they can. Making sure you’ve levelled off the correct scoops of formula is essential and if he can’t/wont do that, he cannot be trusted to be in sole charge of his child. Which is ridiculous bearing in mind he is intelligent and presumably loves her and wants the best for her.

TaggieO · 06/06/2025 19:31

I’m sorry but I’d be wondering what else he wasn’t doing properly - putting her down on her back to sleep, buckling her in her car seat, being careful with hot drinks - I don’t think I could have someone like that around my child unsupervised.

AliBaliBee1234 · 06/06/2025 19:29

Zippidydoodah · 06/06/2025 16:00

Well of course he needs to measure it properly! Otherwise your baby is not getting the right level of nutrients.

Why do men do this? Think they know better all the time? What a fucking idiot.

Can we just for once not turn this into a man bashing thread. Who are you talking about - why do men do this? My husband measures everything correctly.

OP - not enough formula to water means not enough nutrients. Too much formula to water can cause constipation. It's important he follows the instructions and suggest you show him the nhs website.

SemperIdem · 06/06/2025 19:27

He is a terminally stupid, lazy, arrogant wanker.

MrsSunshine2b · 06/06/2025 19:23

He's not "cooking", he's preparing a FORMULA to give to a baby. Clue is in the name.

I don't think people realise but before formula, if you couldn't breastfeed or find/afford a wet nurse, your baby nearly always died. Creating a substitute for breastmilk is an extremely precise and complicated process, it's not like making a pasta sauce where you can just throw things in until it looks good.

He's going to make the baby really ill.

shallishanti · 06/06/2025 19:22

its good that he has read all this and admitted he was wrong
I would be concerned now that he will be similarly careless with other aspects of his child's safety
like right now, does he understand the rules around safe sleeping?
I wonder if your HV can point you in the direction of any child safety/first aid courses?
please tell me he doesn't smoke...

Mere1 · 06/06/2025 19:17

Iloveeverycat · 06/06/2025 16:01

This is what it says online
If formula is not measured correctly, either adding too much or too little powder to the water, it can lead to various health problems in infants. Over-concentrated formula (too much powder, too little water) can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, potentially leading to seizures and kidney issues. Under-concentrated formula (too little powder, too much water) can cause nutrient deficiencies, slow growth, and even water intoxication.

Over-Concentrated Formula:
Dehydration:
Infants may become dehydrated, showing signs like excessive sleepiness, fewer wet diapers, dark urine, and dry mouth.
Salt and water imbalance:
This can disrupt the delicate balance of electrolytes in the baby's body, potentially leading to seizures and brain damage.
Kidney problems:
The kidneys may struggle to process the excess protein and electrolytes, leading to kidney issues.

Under-Concentrated Formula:
Nutrient deficiencies:
Babies may not get the essential nutrients they need for growth and development, leading to slower growth and poor weight gain.

Water intoxication:
Drinking too much water without adequate nutrients can lead to a dangerous condition where the body's sodium levels drop too low, potentially causing seizures, coma, and even death.

Please ask him to read this.
He’s not cooking; he’s nurturing a tiny being.

Dingalingalong · 06/06/2025 19:13

If he doesn't take it from you (coz he's a mass9ve twat!) maybe he'll listen to a doctor?

"Dr Karan Rajan, an NHS surgeon advised not to give babies extra water to drink until they are at least six months old as it could be fatal. He said: “Newborn babies have kidneys that are half the size, or less than that of an adult. Their kidneys are still undergoing growth so they’re not mature enough to correctly filter large volumes of plain water.

“Human breast milk is 87% water, formula milk is around 85% water. But importantly, both of these contain nutrients and electrolytes mixed in with carefully controlled amounts of water which is safe for the baby.

“Giving too much additional water either by over dilution of the formula or giving it separately causes the extra water to dilute the salt in the blood, causing hyponatraemia — very low sodium.”

viques · 06/06/2025 19:12

Next time you are cooking for him pour a cupful of salt into his food. Say you were cooking by eye. Maybe he will get the message that some things are best treated with respect, salt in his food, formula in the baby’s bottle.

Seen the update now. Well done MN and OP and OPs husband for recognising he was being a dangerous prat.

MightyDandelion · 06/06/2025 19:10

Weaponised incompetence.