Is this a safe way to make up formula

[raininginbaltimore]

Me again!

I have hot water (above 70 degrees) in flask. I put 2oz of cold boiled water in each bottle.

To make a feed I pour cold water out (intl lid of thermos) and add 1oz hot water. I had the formula (3 scoops) to the hot water and mix for at least 30secs. Then I add the cold boiled water to make it correct amount and right temp.

I thought this was ok as formula is being mixed with hot water. But today my midwife said it wasn't safe and I must make them up with a full amount of hot water.

But I am feeding a 12 day old on demand, I can't do that! Ready made cartons are too expensive.

Wise mnetters is my way safe?

It sounds safe to me. The important thing is that the powder hits hot water (as you know).

I think the reason this often isn't advised is people make up the feed too strong. So if you do, say, 6oz of water and then add powder, the whole feed will be more than 6oz. If people do it this way they often mix hot water and powder then top up to the 6oz mark, which is making the feed too concentrated IYSWIM. If the water is pre-measured you should be ok (which it sounds like you were doing).

Yes, my cooled water is pre-measured. I also checked it alongside one made to normal instructions to check the level.

I don't know if 1oz of boiling water is enough to sterilise 3 scoops of powder.

You know a bottle will last for 2 hours once made up though right? Are you able to estimate to within a couple of hours when you will need the feed?

Alternatively you could make two bottles up correctly at a time, flash cool them and store them in the fridge until you need them - that way you just need to reheat to the right temperature and there is always a spare in the fridge.

Did the midwife give any reason why the full amount must be made with hot water? I am struggling to come up with the issue - except perhaps if you were using so little hot that the powder wasn't dissolving properly.

I did think about flash cooling, but thought this way would be safer.

She didn't give any reason. But I hadn't though that it wouldn't be enough.

I know it says use within 2 hours, but would need to be cooled right? As room temp is bad for bugs.

I use this when out and about. We went out today and used 3 bottles (feeding every two hours) that is a lot of ready made at 60p a carton. Argh. Wish I could bloody bf.

I meant to say - I think I saw on another thread that you managed a few days of BF? Is that right? Well done you!

It lasts for 2 hours at room temperature, 24 hours if flash cooled and stored at the back of the fridge. Once opened ready made also lasts 24 hours in the fridge.

rubirosa I can't do it for night feeds. Some nights she does every two hours, so would need to make 5 bottles I am advance. Midwife said I shouldn't me them in advance either.

Is that safe- to have 4-5 feeds in fridge for night feeds?

I bf her for 5 days. She was a great feeder, but she all might feeding (which I know is normal for bf in first few weeks) is not something I can maintain as sleep is important to me staying well. So on day 6 I gave her a feed at 4am, just me and her, and then started my medication and bottles for her.

Sorry rubirosa - x posts

Well done!

Could u perhaps sterilize a little bottle and fill it with cool boiled water then put it in fridge. Make up feed with two oz of boiled water then top up with water from fridge. If its colder it might be enough. Some bottled have measurements on the actual lid that you could poor into or if u use a baby bottle in fridge u will be able to measure how much that way.

I used cartons at night just for the first few weeks, they are expensive though. I bulk ordered from amazon, hipp organic was a lot cheaper then.

It's really hard isn't it!

Hi. The WHO guidelines state that whilst it is not the safest way (making eschew bottle fresh with 70degree water is the safest) then making bottles in advance, cooling rapidly then storing in a fridge 5degrees or cooler is a safe way yo make and store bottles.

I think midwife are only allowed to promote the making each bottle fresh method, but you are absolutely right, this does not fit with feeding on demand!

I have used the WHO guidelines method for my DS since we stopped breastfeeding. We make bottles each night ready for the next day (he thankfully dropped night feeds a little while back)

I would link to WHO guidelines but am on stupid phone!

Ideal is making up the bottle correctly as it is needed and using pretty immediately (within two hours)

Second best is making up bottle correctly and flash cooling, storing correctly and reheating later - the sooner you use them the better, so although 24 hours is the limit, making up night bottles at 10pm, morning bottles at 7am, afternoon bottles at 2pm would be better.

Could you stretch to ready made for the first month or so, then powdered once feeds are less frequent and her immune system is a bit stronger?

We used ready made for first few days. I feel awful now as I have been making it like this for a few days now.

I will make the bottles in advance for night feeds. When we are at home I can nearly always predict a feed, but although sometimes she catches us out!

It is the out and about that is a pain. I have a nearly 3 year old, so we go out every day, and often stretching over 2 feeds.

I am just going to have to accept the expense I suppose.

I tried to make them fresh and it was nearly impossible especially at night, screaming baby and mucking about with ice cubes was a nightmare!

Right, I have checked with my biologist friend and she says 1oz is enough, but as long as all powder touches water. It knt like you are trying to drown the bacteria, it is the heat of the water, and not the quantity. Phew.

I think the way you're doing it is fine. As long as the powder all dissolves in the hot water. I would guess the midwife said it is not safe because that is the party line and they have to advise lots of people who make up formula with cold water.

Hope you're feeling well and congrats on your baby - I remember your other recent thread.

Ooooh no am I doing it wrong then? DS is bf mainly but he has one bottle of formula at night and if I go out for the day etc. I thought you could add water to bottle and allow to cool and add milk powder when needed? And heat to appropriate temp for feed? Is that not true

No mamababa. The problem is that the powder is not sterile and you need to add it to water which is above 70 degrees in order to kill the bugs. You don't add the powder to cold water.

So how do you ever go out? If I leave the house with hot water in the morning it won't be hot by 2pm or whatever? And adding milk in the morning for it to slosh around in the teat for a few hours is a recipe for disaster!! These must be new guidelines as it wasn't like this in 2008 when ds1 was born!

You use the flask method above or ready made cartons. The guidelines changed after babies got ill.

Right ok thanks. Although I am not sure how a thermos flask is sterilised as mine would go in the steriliser.will buy cartons for trips out I guess. DS is 7 months so not like I need loads but feeling bad I have done it wrong all this time

Wouldn't go in the steriliser!!