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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:
NoMoreLifts · 06/06/2025 18:46

Superscientist · 06/06/2025 16:29

It's not cooking!!

He needs to follow the instructions it's more a kin to working in a lab than in a kitchen

Do you have any accurate digital scales? I'd get him to "eyeball" measuring out the equivalent of 5oz of flour five times and see how varied they are then repeat with water!

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.

EllieEllie25 · 06/06/2025 18:58

It sounds like arrogance OP - the rules are for stupid people, and I'm not stupid, so I don't need them. Very annoying mindset.

Comeonbabyblue · 06/06/2025 19:01

Ffs 🤦‍♀️

Honestly what an absolute 🔔🔚
Surely you're not actually letting him make bottles because of his weird behaviour?! He's a selfish prick and that's one way to get out of doing bottles isn't it knowing you'll do it so it's done properly! Unless you're actually letting him do that and using those "eyeballed" bottles. He's gave me rage honestly.

Hoogey · 06/06/2025 19:01

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.

Its deliberate, so women stop asking things of men

Katbum · 06/06/2025 19:02

Your husband is either abusive, neglectful or an idiot. You need to tell him that the precise measurements of formula are necessary to meet the baby's nutritional needs and if he still refuses I'd seriously consider if you want to parent with someone this dense.

Devonshiregal · 06/06/2025 19:03

Wait, you say he isn’t neurodivergent yet he’s apparently incredibly intellectual but can’t follow directions to the point he has a lie he automatically trots out to avoid doing so? …ok then.

Please don’t make him apologise to a baby. Like he can choose to do this himself privately, but you lose all high ground if you stand over him and force him to apologise to a baby. Really.

If he actually has read a bunch of women calling him a fucking idiot and has admitted he was wrong that’s a good sign he’s not a twat. It takes a lot to apologise so maybe try rewarding that rather than doing an I told you so (which you already have with this thread).

From personal experience as the child in this situation, dont keep hoping you can trust him to be safe with the kid, being let down, then trusting again, then being let down as the resentment will just build and build and build and it’s horrid to be around. You know he’s sloppy with things so take him as he is and just leave or accept it. It will save a lot of arguments. You will not be able to trust him to use his common sense or do the right thing. He will not miraculously change.

outerspacepotato · 06/06/2025 19:04

Mixing up formula is not cooking. It needs to be more exact because this is how your child is getting nutrients and fluid and electrolytes. Mixing formula incorrectly can harm your baby.

He sounds like he thinks he knows better than anybody else when in reality he's just being a fucking idiot.

Hollieandtheivie · 06/06/2025 19:07

Really glad you've had a good result from this thread. Sounds to me like your DH was dismissive of your knowledge (and the information that's written on the tubs) Must be nice to know everything ready!

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.

MightyDandelion · 06/06/2025 19:10

Weaponised incompetence.

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.

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.”

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.

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...

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.

SemperIdem · 06/06/2025 19:27

He is a terminally stupid, lazy, arrogant wanker.

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.

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.

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.

QuestionableMouse · 06/06/2025 19:33

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

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.

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

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

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 19:39

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