Following formula preparation guidelines

[laughingeyes2013]

Does everyone do what it says on the packet?

My husband puts in the powder first and then adds water. I have told him it is inaccurate if he does this, but he thinks I am being an old fuss-pot.

I even tested it and measured 6oz water in one bottle and then added it to a separate bottle that had 6 scoops of formula in it already, and it registered as 7oz of fluid.
This means that when he tops the bottle up to 6oz mark he is actually putting in 5oz fluid each time.

Also he makes up a feed and on the packet it says it's ok to be left out for 2 hours if untouched, or 1 hour if any has been taken. He says this is nonsense and ignores it.

I am a bit fed up because he thinks his knowledge is superior to that of the manufacturer (or all healthcare professionals that promote safe guidelines), and it willing to potentially risk the health of our baby at the same time.

Or am I being unreasonable about this? Does everyone else follow the instructions correctly?

I've always been a breastfeeder so am new to this formula business.

All I know is that they recommend you put water in first as if you end up with too little water then the formula becomes too concentrated which could slowly become harmful & likewise too much water over dilutes the formula meaning they aren't getting enough nourishment.

Just out of curiosity how old is your baby?

I admit I don't follow the guidelines to the letter but I do not and would not do the two things your oh is doing,those two are a no no in my opinion.

your husband is doing it wrong!

always water first and then cool to correct temp use or refrigerate.

i would show your husband some info about just how poorly little babies can get from incirrectly made formula.

and baby wont be getting right balance of nutrients etc if he doesnt make it up with correct amount of
water.

The reason that formula fed babies suffer more diahorrea and vomitting and have more hospital admissions is because of poorly prepared formula. I didn't take the risk personally.

Smallbee - I know the recommendations are clear on the packet explaining about dehydration or overly diluted formula. He just thinks it's a lot of nonsense.

Catnap - baby is five months old, and he's only just started using formula. I had problems breastfeeding and so have begun to combined feed.

i would be really cross about this.

is he being so lax because he thinks you will then take over and he wont have to do it?

I haven't googled problems with babies being ill because of incorrect formula preparation, that have a sneaky feeling that even if I did he would poopoo it and say that it's nonsense too.

Start feeding your DH undercooked food or out of date stuff for dinner and see how he likes it.

I think he's just a bit of an anarchist! If there is a rule about something he just has to try and find a way around it to do it his way and not somebody else's way.

He honestly thinks that everybody makes up some rules about nothing. I'm amazed that he still got a driving licence! Although actually he's quite anal about people driving badly on the road which is quite funny in a hypocritical type of way!

The bug the complicated new rules apply to is very very rare and far more dangerous to very young/premature babies.

If you have BF and are introducing formulae to a older baby, it's probably not worth fighting about.

Personally I'd mess with my digital thermometer until I knew exactly how to get 70°c in my microwave or by mixing boiling and cold boiled water. No way am I waiting for water to cool from 100 everytime.

i would be blunt and ask him why he wants to risk your babies health like this?

and he will poo poo the fact that some babies have died. yes its extremely rare but really is it worth the risk?

as an aside as he isnt adding enough water baby is more likely to get constipated i think.

I would be really cross about this too. Is he equally as lax about cooking time for poultry or use by dates?

Babies get poorly from incorrectly made formula.

Haha @ hettie. Fair point!

Starball - D&V from formula left out too long or made incorrectly is pretty common though.

We put in the powder first and then measure the water separately and pour it in to get the correct concentration. It's a faff with a sticky spoon otherwise and we have leaky dr browns bottles so easier to swirl than shake.

Admittedly I've not rechecked the rules properly since DS1 2.5 years ago but we do follow the rule that a bottle remains "valid" for 2 hours out or from when it touches DS2's lips.

This time, I abandoned bf before we left the hospital and was given the government ff leaflet. This includes explanations of why the guidance says what it does. DH read it and follows it, though it took some convincing.

Anything that I consider a concern like meat or dairy products he will use about a week past its best date! But when it comes to fruit and veg he goes strictly by the date on the package and doesn't even look at whether is still looks like it is okay. I can't quite work it out!

even in developed countries more formula feed babies actually die in infancy than bf babies. ff babies get ill more and end up in hospital more because of gastrointestinal bugs. These bugs can be fatal for small babies. Their immune system is immature. abf baby had their immune system supported by the mother, a ff doesn't have that do is more at risk.

so yes, you're dh is being an idiot for leaving milk or too long, increasing the chances of bacteria developing to a dangerous level.

plus on the amount of powder to watery issue. formula is carefully balanced but in order for the baby to absorb enough nutrients there is more than is needed in there. so a ff feed baby is often exposed to what can be considered dangerously high levels of some nutrients and transient metals. If your dh is using to little water and making the formula too concentrated then he is making this worse for your baby and putting him at risk.

I know that is harsh and I don't in any way want to make you feel bad for using formula, your choices are your own. But your dh needs a kick up the arse and needs to realise that little things can have big consequences.

I'm sure too little water in the formula can cause constipation too

Thanks for the input - it's nice to know that I'm not making a big fuss about nothing.