formula feeding when out and about

[HeavenK76]

I know this must've been discussed before but I want to be absolutely sure about this.
I'm due in 7 weeks and planning to FF little one.
How would I go about making feeds when I'm out for a few hours following the new guidelines.
You're best tips plz.

It is definitely the powder that needs sterilising AtBeck.

Just to clarify, the formula tubs clearly state in them that the formula is made in a non-sterile environment so they must be mixed with boiled (or at least over 70 degrees) water.

With my DS I took a bottle of cooled boiled water with me, mixed the formula with half freshly boiled (or kept in a flask) then topped it up with the cooled boiled water, meaning it is then sterilised and also the right temperature for the baby to drink.

It's because of this Enterobacter sakazakii bacteria.

It is present everywhere and why anti bac is always "kills 99.9% of bacteria".

The bottles can still be contaminated with it even after very careful measures.

As I said, each to their own and whatever you feel comfortable with.

Atbeck, you are wrong.

The powder is not sterile, and cannot be. The heat of the water is to reduce the risk of the powder. Nothing to do with bottles at all - though of course they should be scrupulously clean to get rid of milk traces.

Google "Guidance for health professionals on safe preparation,
storage and handling of powdered infant formula " from the UK's food standards agency for an explanation (and share it with your SIL, who sounds sadly misinformed for a GP, especially if she is passing on these misunderstandings to you and to others).

Enterobacter - now usually identified as cronobacter - and salmonella are not in or on the bottles if they are properly cleaned and prepared. They are in the powder.

Wow! I'm doing it all wrong! I'm abroad and was told by the hospital (for my dd 3 years ago and again for my 8 week old ds) to mix the formula with room temperature bottled water and not to bother heating it! They also said that the new advice here was not to sterilise bottles at all, just to make sure they are properly clean in very hot water although I always have done anyway We've never had a problem touch wood because now I'm scared

I accept what you're saying.

I just don't listen to some of the scare mongering. The advice of adding powder to 70 degrees water hasn't been around for that long (10-15 years tops). It seemed to me the risk was very low and I was happy with that. Of course health advisors/officials have to tell you best practice and give advice based on the smallest amount of risk to you/your baby etc.

I chose to do it the way I did. Maybe I shouldn't have but there was no illness from it.

The only defence I have for SIL is that she is a fair bit older than me and she may have got her info from times of yore. When I next see her I'll raise the topic.

It seems to me that, if you know that formula powder may have bacteria in that are dangerous, and that it can be prevented by using hot water, why wouldn't you do that? Why not reduce the risk, even if it's a small risk to begin with.

The current guidelines on how to make up a bottle have been around for at least the last eight years. They don't change the advice very often at all.

And just because we do something differently now, doesnt make it scaremongering. Usually its as a result of bad outcomes from doing it "as they did when I was young" - car seats, smoking, sleeping on tummies, early weaning.

Guidelines usually change for a reason.

I agree with ExBrightonBell - it's such an easy thing to do to reduce the risk, I don't really understand why people cut corners with milk Giving a baby formula/bottles increases their risk of getting ill/hospitalised with D&V as well as more serious food poisoning.

I probably wouldn't even give my 4 year old warm milk that had been sitting out of the fridge for a couple of hours, I tend to be more careful with the baby!

I've already said I accept what people are saying and I understand their reasons. I really don't see that I have to justify any further really. I'm sure many people on this thread, on MN and in rl have done things that have carried a very small risk or made a shortcut somewhere along the way even though they were advised against it or it was unnecessary.

Was it the best thing to do? In hind sight maybe not but no harm has been caused. A new mum has started a thread asking for a but help, I have said what used to help me. I was under no disillusion that my way of making bottles was following the rules but I spoke to SIL and even spoke to midwife and no pulled me up on it so carried on.

If I have another will I do it differently? I don't know.

Fledermaus

I never had the bottles already mixed, I sterilised all the bottles and filled them with water. Then added the powder when a bottle was needed.

Like you though, unless it's straight from the fridge or if wanted warm I've heated it. I wouldn't anything dairy that's been hanging around either.