Maiking up formula guidelines - quick q about 'rapidly cool'

[ginger2000]

hi - am new to the formula game having ebf my 5 month old. Just moving her over as I am going back to work. I know the advise is to make each bottle as I go but this isn't practical all the time is it? (well, it isn't for me - I've spent a fortune on ready made cartons as I leave it too late!)

so, when making in advance, I have read that it is ok to make up bottles with 70 degree water and then rapidly cool before storing in fridge. But, how do I rapidly cool 3 bottles? I just tried in the washing up bowl, but it was far from rapid and holding each one under water is a shocking waste. Any ideas? Can I just put the made up bottles straight to the back of the fridge?

I want to get this right but am a bit confused!

pants - should have previewed - sorry about typo in title - v squirmy dd2 on lap!

I make up every bottle fresh , boil kettle , let water in kettle cool for 20 mins then make up, I cool bottle in the little side sink (not sure of their proper name) but I have a metal sink so the water is cold and dont need to fill huge sink up. As a washing up bowl is plastic it wont work as well, I tried to recreate the side sink thing at in-laws with a plastic jug but it really did take longer to cool.

I use cartons when out of the house though, always see other Mums rushing to cool their bottle at groups so I take it they don't rapidly cool anyway?

My ds has never had a stomach upset and coming up for 5 months. Sometimes if he has been screaming and I got distracted doing housework on mumsnet
I sling a few ice cubes in the sink too.

I botched my cross out grr

guidelines are to bin any unused formula after 2 hours , I have probably gone to 3 hours on occasions and had no problem and that was at room temp. I am not sure how much safer it makes it if you refridgerate , sure someone will be along to advise.

You could try keeping a metal container of cold water in the fridge to cool the bottles in (cooling outside of the fridge though)? May be a loaf tin or similar?

Oh if you put the hot bottles in the back of the fridge, the fridge will warm up and you risk other food in the fridge going off as well.

I cool mine in a (cooking) pan of cold water as I found that they always toppled over in a tub. Doesn't take too long (maybe 5 minutes) and then they go in the back of the fridge.

On page 13 of the Support for FF thread there are lots of guidelines on how to prepare formula including in advance.

Aah - thanks TruthSweet - I knew there must be a reason not to do it that way!

Mirabelle - i like the idea of doing it as i go, but DD2 is still feeding like she is BF so only doing 2-4 oz in a go every hour or so so I would be perpetually boiling/cooling! I will give it a go when she gets a bit more proficient with a bottle!

The metal container of water in the fridge or cooking pan are good ideas - will give them a go tomorrow!

It really is a minefield and it feels like everyone I know who FF does it differently (and ignoring the powder must hit hot thing!)

will have a look at the Support for FF thread too - I really need it as feel a complete novice.