Can anyone answer my silly beaker-related questions??

[jinglesticks]

Hi - I have a 8mo dc who was ebf until weaned and still refuses to have a bottle. So I have decided to introduce some formula using a beaker so I can start to have a couple of hours away from her for the first time yet! However, I can't find the answers to a few questions, can anyone help?

1. Do I need to sterilise the beakers or is dishwasher/warm soapy water good enough by 8m?

2. Should I give her drinks of water with meal times? A friend said I should but I'm worried it'll mean she doesn't have enough milk.

3. If I give her water can I use tap water by 8m or does it need to be boiled and cooled?

4. Is there anything else I need to be aware of?

Thanks for any help, sorry for being so clueless!

1. DIshwasher is fine imo - make sure you dismantle all the bits fo the lid.

2. Give her a beaker of water at mealtimes - chances are she'll have a few sips at most, then shake the rest out on the table or throw the beaker on the floor. Better to offer and have it ignored than not to offer at all imo.

3. I would still boil and cool till 12 months.

4. Don't used bottled water as a general rule (though the odd swig in an emergency I think is OK, Evian apparently is the best one as it has low levels of baby-unfriendly minerals). Also you might like to try an open beaker/cup instead of a lidded one.

thanks a lot:) and thanks to mn for being there whenever i have daft questions!

1. check the beaker is dishwasher safe, but otherwise, yes, you can put it in there

2. yes I would offer water with meals, to get her used to a beaker more than the actual water

3. tap water is fine as a drink from 6 months but you should boil it for making up formula

4. you might be easier making formula up in a bottle to get the measurements right before putting it into the beaker.