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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

giving up bf... formula help

23 replies

imissredwine · 26/09/2010 08:56

11 weeks in and i've had enough bf.

do you have to follow the formula instructions to the letter?

could I make a feed and reheat it in a bain-marie or microwave?

anyone have any short cut tips at all?

OP posts:
jemjabella · 26/09/2010 09:22

Yes, you need to follow the instructions to the letter as otherwise you risk making your baby ill.

No, you should not make feeds and reheat them.

Bagpusstree · 26/09/2010 09:23

Yes you should follow the instructions to the letter. I don't think they recommend reheating anymore. I'm sure someone who knows a bit more will be along soon, but I don't think its worth taking any shortcuts TBH.

Original poster
imissredwine · 26/09/2010 09:25

Thanks

I've got friends who have feeds made up and they bung them in the microwave... wasn't sure if it was ok to do or not...

OP posts:
sailorsgal · 26/09/2010 09:27

You should follow it to the letter if you can or use ready made cartons but they are too expensive to use all the time.

The reason that you have to add the hot water is to kill any bacteria that may be in the powder.

You should then discard any leftover formula after an hour.

I have worked for families who have had the water in bottles prepared beforehand and then added the formula when needed then heated it. It depends if you want to take the risk allbeit small.

I personally don't like heating milk in microwaves as there may be hot spots but when there is a screaming baby I understand why people do.

Mercedes519 · 26/09/2010 09:27

The official guidance (from the NHS) is that you can make feeds hot and put them straight into the fridge and keep them for no more than 24 hours. You need to keep them in the back of the fridge not the door. You should always follow the instructions for making the feeds as this kills the bacteria.

You should only reheat in hot water, not in a microwave because it doesn't heat evenly and makes the teat hot too.

mummynoseynora · 26/09/2010 09:28

the only shortcut I would say is fairly normal to do would be to stick the water in the bottles and either put them in the fridge / on the side - with the lid on... when you need them bung the bottle in the microwave (minus the powder) then put the powder in and shake.... although at 11 weeks I would be inclined to do it properly for a little while

sailorsgal · 26/09/2010 09:31

Sorry, didn't realise you could still store them in the fridge. That will make it easier.

You could get a bottle warmer. I use them for twins which saves time when I have two to feed.

Original poster
imissredwine · 26/09/2010 09:36

Rock and a hard place really then...

OP posts:
pommedeterre · 26/09/2010 09:38

The important thing is to make up with water that is over 70C as the powder is not sterile. Safer to do this, store in fridge and warm when needed than to use water at lower than 70C.
I do a mixture of this and ready made cartons.

Original poster
imissredwine · 26/09/2010 09:42

mercedes... do you have a link for this?

thanks

OP posts:
jemjabella · 26/09/2010 09:47

Can I ask why it is you feel you have to give up breastfeeding? We may be able to advise you on whatever is causing problems. Also, have you considered combination feeding?

Original poster
imissredwine · 26/09/2010 09:54

i'm giving up because i don't enjoy it at all... and never have

baby girl's had a formula bottle a day for weeks now to give me a break... she feeds well from either...

OP posts:
Mercedes519 · 26/09/2010 09:55

Sorry no but look in the birth to five book or ask the HV for the leaflet I got from the hospital with DC2 a couple of weeks ago. Could be on the NHS website?

You have to put the powder into hot water as this kills the bacteria, this advice has changed since I had my DC 4 years ago. They have done tests and the hot water thing significantly reduces the risk from the bacteria.

I tend to make up feeds twice a day as per the instructions on the tin and put them in the fridge. Then when I need one I use a bottle warmer but a bowl of hot water out of the kettle does as well.

When I'm out I take a thermal pouch with a cold feed (I got the specific ones for the bottles I use but any cool bag will work) and a thermos of hot water to heat it up when when we need it. If we're going to be out for more than a couple of hours I take an empty sterilised bottle and a carton of ready made to minimise the risk as when the milk stops being cold the bacteria can still be there and grow.

Can be a bit of a faff but I couldn't bear it if she got ill and it was because I took a short cut. And she Ian even my PFB!

Mercedes519 · 26/09/2010 09:57

Isn't...even. Bloody predictive text.

jemjabella · 26/09/2010 09:57

There was a thread on here recently - it took some mums months to finally enjoy breastfeeding (it was about 4 months for me). So what you're feeling is quite normal (if that helps at all!)

Have you got a plan for how you're going to introduce more bottles so you don't end up with rock hard boobs/mastitis? You'll need to drop feeds slowly.

If your DD already takes well from a bottle at least you won't have that problem too! :)

Original poster
imissredwine · 26/09/2010 09:59

no plan at all

just going to wing it

OP posts:
anonymousbird · 26/09/2010 10:08

I used to do all the water bit for all bottles for 24 hours in one batch, then simply added the formula at the time of feeding. However, this was 5 + years ago, sounds like the advice may have changed??? I was absolutely meticulous about sterilising/boiled water etc until about 9 months old. We then moved onto washing in hot dishwasher.

I was fortunate that neither of mine needed their bottles warming after the first couple of weeks, room temperature was fine. So I would have 6 sterilised bottles with boiled water cooling, ready to go. Formula at the last minute. I didn't own a microwave, so if bottle was a bit cool, I would simply stand in hot water, but I rarely had to do that.

Follow quantities very carefully.

Making a straight switch is hard on the boobs though... be prepared for some seriously engorged norks - you will need to express for a while I imagine? >

Original poster
imissredwine · 26/09/2010 10:19

oh jesus... dont even start me on the hideous breast pump (we didnt get on)

OP posts:
Mercedes519 · 26/09/2010 10:27

Anonymous, this is what I did for dc1 but they've changed the advice since. Annoying as the room temp thing was handy but it's not something I want to mess with.

OP make sure you wear a soft bra day and night if you can't express as it does help if you're not feeding as much.

ayjayjay · 26/09/2010 18:03

For official guidance on preparing feeds in advance see www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/documents/digitalasset/dh_063693.pdf

See page 4 onwards covers both making up powdered feeds in advance, transporting feeds and warming feeds.

This document is accessed from the following DH publictions page if you need the source www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_100887

The following NHS choices page also includes guidance in the Feeding away from home section www.nhs.uk/planners/birthtofive/pages/bottlefeedingbasics.aspx

I'm sorry breastfeeding didn't work out for you.

Original poster
imissredwine · 26/09/2010 22:13

ayjayjay

thanks for those links.

Don't be sorry, although I appreciate it

I had a go, lasted a while... I'm not someone who thinks BF is the be all and end all

(Not having a go at you)

OP posts:
ClimberChick · 27/09/2010 05:50

heck you made it past 6 weeks so you gave a bloody good shot, so you should definitely be proud.

good luck with the switch over

ayjayjay · 27/09/2010 07:30

no offence taken :)
Pleased you're not disappointed. I don't think BF is the be all and end all either and you've done bloody well to get to 11 weeks.

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