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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

Formula Feeders Faff Free Fred.

171 replies

TheDetective · 25/02/2013 23:22

Hello!

As another lovely poster started a thread to discuss formula feeding, and it was sadly hijacked. I am starting this thread for mums who are formula feeding/mixed feeding/expressing and giving via bottle. Hell, it's for anyone who feeds their baby.

It is not for a bun fight, and it is not to discuss the benefits of either method of feeding!

Just to share tips, information and support.

Chat away!

OP posts:

Bambi86 · 06/05/2013 15:53

May I join in? Very glad I found this thread!

Didn't have much luck with BF, and have FF my DS1 since 2wo (he's nearly 6wo).

A question about offering cooled boiled water? How often should I be doing this in a day (especially warmer days)? Should I let it cool to body temp naturally or flash cool like when making up bottles? Once they've had a drink of the water, do you throw the rest away and re-sterilise? Or can you keep the bottle and water for a while?

Also, DS seems to have finally settled in to a 4 hour pattern between bottles- sometimes he grizzles in between and I offer him a new bottle (after offering a dummy). Often than not he will only want a few sips and then falls back to sleep. Would this be a good opportunity to be offering cooled boiled water?

Sorry for all the questions! Only just got my head around making up/storing formula!

roamingwest · 07/05/2013 10:07

Just bumping this thread as there seems to be a few of us around trying to make the big switch / starting to mix feed

NappyHappy · 07/05/2013 10:23

Aye, i'll keep bumping too.

Hi, you can offer the water between feeds, anytime really in the heat. I did keep the bottle with the water in out for a few hours though but there may be others who no if thats ok.

My friend is bf and really wants to stop but her boy has other ideas and its really getting her down.

Has anyone had problems buying powder with all the hoo ha in China?

NappyHappy · 07/05/2013 10:26

Yes Bambi if he's grizzling offer it him then. All my boys have/had milk and water at this age room temp.

iheartshoes · 07/05/2013 19:52

Re keeping the bottle of cooked boiled water my HV told me that water can be left out for up to 4 hours x

KatAndKit · 07/05/2013 20:23

Have any of you ladies seen the new tommee tippee gadget? It isn't cheap but if I was FF (I only used cartons when supplementing and baby is on cows milk now) I would have thought it was well worth it. It prepares a bottle at the right temperature instantly for you.
www.tommeetippee.co.uk/perfect-prep/

Jsa1980 · 07/05/2013 22:34

I've got one! Best investment yet!

Bumpincharge · 08/05/2013 05:25

Hi Jsa1980, looking at the reviews for the Tomme Tippee gadget,someone had noted that the machine is in US oz, rather than UK. Is that the case with yours?

Newmum2013 · 08/05/2013 05:56

This looks really good. Still bf at min but seriously considering one ready for change

Jsa1980 · 08/05/2013 11:29

Yea it's in fluid oz but then my tt bottles have ml and fl oz and so does the sma formula tin so it's not caused me any issue (yet!)

TheFalconsmistress · 08/05/2013 15:04

Getting one of those for when dd arives in sept, have ff with ds this will be a God send for night feeds

NappyHappy · 08/05/2013 20:12

How cool is that?

Thanks I thought there were water guidelines somewhere

iheartshoes · 08/05/2013 21:03

How long do you ladies keep your made up bottles in the fridge for ? I think DD is waking up ... And I have a bottle in there that was made at 8 this morning , am I ok to give this to her ? Also once you have a bottle out to start a feed how long can you keep it out for ? DD tends to take half of her bottle then she will happily doze for about 20 mins before wanting the rest. Am i ok to give her the same bottle or should I be getting a new one out ? Also (sorry last stupid question) I've seen people mention flash cooling... What is that and do I need to do it ? At the mo I just put bottles straight in fridge from making them up

Jsa1980 · 08/05/2013 21:06

Oh and I got mine from toys r us (free delivery) wondering if that made any difference?

scissy · 08/05/2013 22:00

the bottle should be ok, the nhs leaflet says they need to be used within 24 hours. When feeding dd from a bottle from the fridge I tend to use it within an hour, or if it's over 12 hours I try to use it quicker.

Re flash cooling, I do this by placing the bottles in a container of really cold water (pref with ice cubes) - I find a lunchbox is ideal. The bottles cool within 5 mins and can then be put inn the fridge. If you put them in the fridge warm it can increase the internal temp of the fridge.

NappyHappy · 09/05/2013 00:07

Hi Iheart, what you're doing sounds just fine.

That is a fab idea Scissy re the lunchbox, ill try that next time I need too.

Original poster

TheDetective · 09/05/2013 00:31

I just shove them in a big pan, with cold water and ice packs. Then in to fridge after 20-30 minutes :)

I'm not convinced about that TT thing. I don't know why. Although in essence it seems like a great idea. I just can't help wondering if only adding a small amount of boiling water to the powder, then topping up with cold is okay. It might be, I don't know. I just worry!

OP posts:

50shadesofbrown · 09/05/2013 08:40

Hi can I join? My DD was EBF to 6 months, had to stop due to teeth, she's a real biter. She just turned one year old this week. Is healthy, big & strong (just started walking). Please can someone tell me, do I still need to sterilise her bottles? We've just discovered the TT cup (the one with the soft straw) doesn't like being microwave sterilised (I think the pack said it can go in microwave but it's warped over the last couple of days). She likes this, drinks water nicely from it & it's leakproof. She's a shocker for playing with her sippy cups & soaking the place. Thanks in advance.

NappyHappy · 09/05/2013 09:27

Hi 50! no you don't need to keep sterilizing at this age. Personally once they start shoving everything in their mouth and crawling that's when I've stopped, about 8m upwards. But I do use anti bac washing up liquid

iheartshoes · 09/05/2013 09:47

Thanks scissy and detective this thread is brill !!

iheartshoes · 10/05/2013 08:08

Another question ... I'm meeting a friend for coffee this morning . I was going to pop a couple if ready made bottles in a cool bag with an ice box to keep them fresh but then will they be too cold to give to DD? I'm worried about using a microwave to heat them up in the cafe . What do you all tend to do when out? Ideally is pick up some ready made cartons but don't think ill have time

OooohShiny · 10/05/2013 13:14

You've probably gone out now... but I used to ask wherever I was if I could have a mug/jug with some hot water in it (would ask as soon as I went in), most places are very obliging and if they didn't want to give me a jug I would take the bottle out half an hour before DS was due to feed and either warm it between my legs or stick it down my cleavage to take the chill off it...please don't laugh

NappyHappy · 10/05/2013 20:58

Oooh, I used to do that too. Thank chuff its not just me!!!! Ive been luck that the boys drink it room temp.

OooohShiny · 10/05/2013 21:16

hahaha Nappy

I started early on reducing the time I warmed my bottles for so that DS got used to having them quite cool

NappyHappy · 11/05/2013 22:11

I am the crazy woman you see out

Those cartons are bloody brilliant!

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