Reluctantly FF, have no idea what I'm doing!

[LindtLover]

For reasons I'd rather not go into because I'm still upset about it I am now bottle feeding my 6.5mo DD. I've never bottlefed before and have no idea how it works - is there anything I need to know? I have been and bought some Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature bottles, are they ok?

I have only done a few bottles so far and I just followed the instructions on the tub which was fine at home but what will I do if I'm out for day? I won't have my kettle to boil and leave to cool for 30 mins etc etc.

How do I know I'm giving her the right amount? With breast feeding I didn't worry I just let her feed until satisfied, I was told a breast fed baby won't overfeed and will take what they need. Will I overfeed her by accident?

Hi, it looks like lots of people have added great advice already and thanks to Tabouleh for adding all those excellent downloads as always.

Although FFing is a bit of a faff, you'll get used to it soon I'm sure and soon enough it's not too much hassle.

I make up my formula in advance and store in the fridge - we make up a 'day' batch and 'night' batch, so feeds are always used within about 12 hours rather than the 24. After baby is fed in the morning I wash the bottles and sterilise, put on the kettle and then while I'm waiting for it to cool down I have my coffee and breakfast before making them up. It takes no time at all.

I've got the tommee tippee bottles and find them great, and the accessories are great too. I would recommend getting the thermos warm/cool bags as these are great for taking a bottle out with you if you're going to use it in the next couple of hours (going to a cafe, for example). I use these everyday, couldn't live without them! I also use the wee powder dispensers that can fit in the bottles if I'm going to someone's house for the day (because they've got a kettle) and the cartons when I'm going into town, for example. Take 2 bottles so you can pop the rest into the spare bottle (then store in the thermos bag!). Another tip (which I got from mumsnet!) is maybe keep some Steribottles in the pram/car along with an emergency carton for piece of mind. I keep steribottles and cartons at my parents' (who I visit regularly) so I know that I don't have to worry if I spend longer there than anticipated.

Another good tip, as Biscuitnibbler said, is that you don't have to warm the milk (provided it has been made properly, of course). Having a baby that can take cool milk (from the fridge) or unwarmed cartons makes things a million times easier if you can't reheat them for whatever reason.

And as for knowing how much to give, I believe you work out the amount by multiplying the weight in lbs by 2.5 ounces, then divide by the number of feeds BUT I understand this is for under 6 month old babies. Best check with your health visitor if you're not sure.

I got my milk powder seperator from mothercare as I used Avent bottles, I think that Tommy Tippee do some really good ones that you can keep inside the bottle? I was given a really great hot water flask especially designed for warming bottles (I think you can get them from John Lewis)that I used to carry around with me as DD wouldn't drink cold milk and even though most places will provide you with hot water, some won't because of 'health and safety' reasons
I also found that the feeding guides on the side of the tin worked quite well for my DD. HTH :)

I switched to mixed feeding when DD was 6.5m and now only BF at night and first thing.

I definitely recommend the cartons, they are a Godsend. DD also learnt to accept her milk at whatever temperature i give it.

Also, as DD was over 6m when I started I never bothered with the faff of sterilising - AFAIK this is only important for really young babies - detergent and very hot water is more than sufficient at 6m+ (they move around and lick/chew everything in sight after all!)

I too was worried about over feeding, but DD definitely lets me know when she's had enough - in fact I get worried sometimes that she hasn't drunk enough, but as she is also BLW, i suppose I have to trust her judgement!

Well done on BF to 6m by the way!