Formula

[Newmumma25]

Hi everyone I’m a first time (very confused mum) I recently stopped breastfeeding my 12 week old baby as I wasn’t producing enough due to having mastitis for the 3rd time and had to use bottles to get through which she ultimately got too used too so had to begin bottle feeding. My question is how do you actually make formula up? What does everyone do? I’ve been following the instructions letting it cool and making it fresh but it’s a mega faff! My HV said she personally boils water makes the bottle up adds the formula when needed and heat it a little. When asking everyone they tell me they made it up with fresh boiled water and put it in the fridge! Im so confused on how to make it. The way I’m doing it just now is a real hassle!

@Maray1967

In 2000 I was told by Antenatal midwife to make up the formula with water that had boiled only about ten minutes before, cool under cold water and refrigerate the bottles not being used immediately. In 2008 the advice was very different as some babies had died from bacteria in made-up formula stored like that. The new advice was to put only the boiling water in the bottles, not the formula, leave at room temp and then add powder when needed. Water was good for 24 hours. Looks like there are risks either way then - from the stored made-up formula or the add powder to cooled water method. There is no way you can be messing about doing each bottle from fresh, though. We thought the 2008 method was better as bottles could be given at room temp and it was easier going out for the day. Avent did a sectioned powder container so you could measure out 3 feeds and add to water, no need to have the bottles chilled.

I think you've got that the wrong way round - it used to be common to put powder into previously boiled room temperature water, but from about 2003 onwards the rules became that you must add the powder to very recently boiled (70+ degree) water.

This is the exact same way I felt I’ve not slept more than 3 hours since my LO was born because I wasn’t producing enough so she was on for sometimes 2/3 hours !! Enough was enough for me and the formula has been brilliant at helping her get into a routine !

Thank you for your comment I felt like I was being condescended to in some of the comments

@Newmumma25

This is the exact same way I felt I’ve not slept more than 3 hours since my LO was born because I wasn’t producing enough so she was on for sometimes 2/3 hours !! Enough was enough for me and the formula has been brilliant at helping her get into a routine !

Formula is literally a life saver, we are so, so lucky that we live in a time and place where if we can’t breastfeed or babies will thrive, and we have options!

Formula is literally a life saver, we are so, so lucky that we live in a time and place where if we can’t breastfeed or babies will thrive, and we have options!

I had to point this out to a midwife once who kept handwringing and telling me to try harder (like I had any choice over what my body was doing).

She said “well what would you have done 500 years ago?”

I told her that a) me and ds wouldn’t have survived the pregnancy let alone the birth anyway, and b) if i wasn’t rich enough for a wet nurse or didn’t have a lactating family member or friend who would take on my baby, he would have starved to death. And wasn’t it bloody wonderful that we now have formula to feed babies who’s mothers couldn’t feed them.

She still didn’t agree

I hate this "what did people do before formula/glasses/safe Caesareans" etc. What did people do? They used wet nurses, or babies starved, they couldn't see and they died in childbirth.

Ffs. Necessity is the mother of invention!

@DrSbaitso

I hate this "what did people do before formula/glasses/safe Caesareans" etc. What did people do? They used wet nurses, or babies starved, they couldn't see and they died in childbirth.

Ffs. Necessity is the mother of invention!

Exactly. I would have been dead because my mum didn't produce enough milk either.

@DrSbaitso

I hate this "what did people do before formula/glasses/safe Caesareans" etc. What did people do? They used wet nurses, or babies starved, they couldn't see and they died in childbirth.

Ffs. Necessity is the mother of invention!

I had one of those midwives.

She got to see a taste of what would have happened 500yr ago when DS was rushed from the postnatal ward to the neonatal unit with complications from starvation. Lost 13%, had severe jaundice, was a hair’s width from needing a full blood transfusion and came close to brain damage. The entire time I was on her ward she told me baby only needs a few drops rubbed into his gums and my body was designed to meet his needs. While I told her and everyone who’d listen that I wasn’t making any milk.

Still doubt it changed her mindset. Lactavism is a helluva drug.

@Newmumma25 the main thing with formula is that it needs to be added to water hot enough to kill any bacteria.

I make up a few bottles in the morning, flash cool in the sink and put in fridge. Then when baby is hungry I stand in hot water to make it a nicer temperature for her to drink from. This is perfectly safe to do in accordance with NHS advice:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/bottle-feeding/making-up-baby-formula/

And when out I just use the pre made, so much easier.

I'm always so sorry to hear of formula feeding mothers who have to put up with this bullshit. I was lucky enough not to have any trouble breastfeeding (and it was nothing but luck) and I wanted to, so I wasn't exposed to any of this and some of the stories I've heard have horrified me.

I breastfed for two years and you really can't tell my daughter apart from the others in terms of health and brightness. They're all gorgeous. However, had there been no formula available for those who needed or wanted it, the difference would be extremely apparent, not least by the numbers who, horrifying as it is to contemplate, wouldn't be here.

It's formula milk, not nitroglycerine.

Here you go, OP https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2008/02/start4lifeguideetobottlee-feeding.pdf

Making fresh is the ideal, but not always practical if your baby goes from zero to hungry in the blink of an eye. This leaflet outlines how to rapidly cool, store and reheat formula.

It's possible you may have some milk supply, so if you wanted to (and it's up to you - totally your choice), you could try breastfeeding with nipple shields - some babies who have become used to bottles will take the breast with shields because they feel like bottle teats. I do understand though that if you've made the decision to move on you don't want to confuse yourself with other options.

Enjoy your baby.

I'd do 2oz of boiling water plus the formula, give it a shake and then top up with cooled boiled water I kept in the fridge that was pre measured.

I'd then fill up another bottle with boiling water to put in the fridge to cool ready for the next bottle

Made as per NHS guidelines, ie washed hands, water boiled less than 30 mins ago, sterilised bottle, top straight on - bottle is safe to use, once cool, for up to 1 hour, once fed from. Can stand even longer, if not yet fed from - use within 2 hours. You can therefore anticipate when baby will wake and feed and have "fresh" feed ready on the bench. Please don't reheat from the fridge. Things heated, cooled, and heated again are breeding ground for bacteria. That's why you reheat food to piping hot. The concerns about prep machines are based on studies looking at whether their hot shot of water is sufficient volume to kill the bacteria in whatever amount of powder is used. Also concerns when people neglect cleaning. We make our own choices at the end of the day. Your HV's personal method goes against NHS advice.