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Original poster

Mumsnet please can you update your bottlefeeding info section?

58 replies

tabouleh · 31/03/2010 21:43

Hello Mumsnet Team!

Following on from this thread about the correct guidelines for preparing formula I'd like to ask you to consider updating/expanding the bottlefeeding info section.

I am unleashing my inner interfering bossy feminist/activist part!

It is clear to me that:

  • many people do not know that formula is not sterile and that it needs to be made with water which is hotter than 70 degrees C
  • many people do not know what the guidelines are at all or just follow what they/their mother etc did
  • people who know what they are don't know the research or reason behind the guidelines and therefore dismiss them
  • people don't realise that there are some pretty good alternatives to making fresh each time and that THIS DOESN'T INVOLVE ADDING FORMULA TO COLD WATER AND HEATING UP!
  • the formula manufacturers need a kick up the arse to be pressurised to provide fuller explanations on their packaging and websites
  • the midwives/doctors and HVs also need to know

If you'd like me to have ago at drafting something then I am happy to.

Do you think we could start a Mumsnet campaign? Could we get someone on from the FSA or something.

OP posts:
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swallowedAfly · 11/08/2010 13:25

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MNHQ
GeraldineMumsnet · 11/08/2010 13:02

Yes, please do :)

Original poster
tabouleh · 09/08/2010 21:50

Thanks MNHQ - I've had a quick look and it's great that it's updated.

I think I will flag in the feeding section to see if anyone has any feedback on it.

OP posts:
MNHQ
GeraldineMumsnet · 05/08/2010 15:24

Hi there, we've updated the page in line with current NHS guidance. Sorry it has taken us an age a while

MNHQ
OliviaMumsnet · 28/07/2010 22:51

This is a work in progress - pls bear with us.

Bubbles1066 · 28/07/2010 13:52

100% add my support! So many people have no idea how to safely make formula! And people I make formula fresh, exactly as it says on the tin (with water over 70) for every feed, always have done. If I can't I use a ready made carton. You can do it and stay sane!

Original poster
tabouleh · 28/07/2010 09:32

bump

OP posts:
Original poster
tabouleh · 13/07/2010 22:50

I've v.involved in this thread you see!

OP posts:
MNHQ
OliviaMumsnet · 13/07/2010 22:42

Ooh thanks for reminder. I'll see what's going on here.

Original poster
tabouleh · 13/07/2010 16:17

bumping!

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Original poster
tabouleh · 28/05/2010 15:12

Great !

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MNHQ
HelenMumsnet · 28/05/2010 15:05

Hello. Yes, updating that section is on our Very Long List of Things to Do - but thanks for reminding us

SambuccaKelly · 28/05/2010 15:01

Thanks tabouleh. Yes, I have always done as you describe. Good to know! It is confusing, though!

Original poster
tabouleh · 28/05/2010 14:58

SambuccaKelly you are probably better off posting in Breastfeeding/bottlefeeding.

I recommend that you read this and this.

If you are boiling a litre of water and leaving it to cool for less than 30 minutes (but not using it as boiling water) then you should be killing any bacteria which was already in the sterile formula.

(The reason it is less risky to make in advance is that you can introduce bacteria whilst making the feeds. Bacteria grows most quickly at room temperature and it grows over time.) So provided you are cooling rapidly and you've checked your fridge temperature then your method is one of the options - as per my second link above.

OP posts:
SambuccaKelly · 28/05/2010 14:44

I have read the whole thread an am still confused as to what you are supposed to do.

I used readymade cartons mostly, but when not, I would make up 4 or 5 bottles with cooled (not cool, just not boiling hot) boiled water and keep in fridge for up to 24 hours. is that safe?

Original poster
tabouleh · 28/05/2010 14:38

bump! Hello MNTowers - have you started looking at your bottlefeeding section yet?

Your link doesn't work - there are loads of links in my post or you can email me for them.

Also the write up is not accurate and therefore it undermines those of us posting the correct info.

This is wrong:

"Most crucially, you now have to make up each feed as you need it, rather than making up a day's (or a night's) batch and keeping in the fridge till your baby hollers for it."

Actually what is most crucial is to use water which is at least 70 degrees C. The guidelines and leaflets do explain how a feed can be made in advance (although pointing out that this is not the absolute best advice).

OP posts:
StewieGriffinsMom · 06/04/2010 11:11

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Original poster
tabouleh · 01/04/2010 21:24

foxytocin thanks for finding that and posting it - I think it is important and I think that clip says it more clearly than words.

Interesting that they did not extend it to talk about the risks for babies who were not premature/specifically immune compromised and to quote the WHO guidelines on preparing with water which is at least 70 degrees C.

OP posts:
foxytocin · 01/04/2010 21:06

hopefully this clip will inform Tee that formula, no where, is not sterile.

MmeLindt · 01/04/2010 20:30

Tee
I do understand your point, and it something that I have wondered myself. That is why I asked if anyone knew if there was a reason for powdered formula not being sterile.

MrsB gave us an answer.

Why the US recommendations are not the same as the rest of the world is a mystery.

At the end of the day, we can take up arms and campaign to get the companies to make the formula safer - if there is indeed any technical way of making that.

While that is happening, it is incredibly important to ensure that the formula we have at the moment is being prepared properly.

Salmonella poisoning is for an adult unpleasant. For a 5mth old baby it can be fatal. We were very lucky that DS recovered well.

I don't understand why anyone who has been given the information laid out on this thread would continue to endanger their baby's life by making up the formula in a way that certain bacteria may not be killed off.

CuppaTeaJanice · 01/04/2010 18:13

If powders are much more difficult to sterilise than liquids, why do none of the formula manufacturers make concentrated sterile liquid formula? So you'd pour, say, 1oz of concentrate into a bottle per 4oz cooled boiled water (or whatever ratio). The concentrate could come in a screw top bottle, with enough for a whole day's feeds (or maybe 2), so would be less open to contamination than a big tub of powder, and less bulky and expensive than liquid.

SilveryMoon · 01/04/2010 17:50

Tee I am understanding the language you are typing in just fine, what I don't really understand is why you want the manufacturers to do more.
There are many things on this earth that will harm or kill our children if not used properly, and formula is one of them.
Most grown-ups are capable of following simple instruction and is capable of preparing a bottle to the guidelines, it's just a case of whether or not we choose to.

I'm sure that if my ds drank a bottle of bleach, it would do some damage, but it says on the bottle to keep it away from children, so you just do it and no one talks of banning it.
The formula tin states how to prepare a feed safely and I really don't feel any more needs to be done.

flameproofsuit · 01/04/2010 16:19

Just to throw another spanner in the works if you are going to go for the make a whole feed with boiling water then cool it down to drinking temp route via jug of icy water then you should also make sure you are using BPA free bottles.

It's apparently not safe to heat and cool bottles containing BPA in the way outlined above.

ScreaminEagle · 01/04/2010 16:11

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MrsBadger · 01/04/2010 16:00

as far as I can see, US, NZ, Aus and Canadian guidelines are all similar to the UK ones

whether the population chooses to follow them is another matter