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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Making up formula feeds

12 replies

Moreton · 24/10/2006 21:17

Hi.For various reasons had to stop BF. Am finally OK with the decision and getting to grips with formula. Not sure what is safest way to make and store formula feeds though. I use ready made cartons when out and about. At home make them up. Using Aptimil. Box says boil kettle and leave for 30 mins make up formula and use straight away. Not sure about you all but my little one is not predictable enough for that sort of schedule! How do you do it? Is it OK to make up and store in fridge? How long does the boiled water last for - should it be put in fridge?

OP posts:
hairymclary · 24/10/2006 21:20

I used to put the water in bottles and then just add powder as necessary.

MorticiaRed · 24/10/2006 21:21

Make it up and you can store it for 24 hours. Boil kettle and transfer to sterilised bottles. Rapid cool water by plunging into a water bath for a few mins. Add formula, shake well and transfer to fridge. I have not met anyone who has been able to make a fresh bottle for each feed - usually the baby wants it and he/she wants it now! x

hairymclary · 24/10/2006 21:21

in advance i mean.

Gobbledispook · 24/10/2006 21:23

I used to just make them all up the night before so I had them all ready for the next day.

With ds3 I was a lazy moo and just used cartons.

BrummieMomInMerthyr · 24/10/2006 21:23

same as hairymclary
seems to work really well and doesn't take as long to warm up as it does straight from the fridge!

Original poster
Moreton · 24/10/2006 22:09

Thanks folks - that's helpful. The instructions on cartons are not clear and all the books contradict each other!Midwife had said making feeds in advance not recommended but seems to me that's not the real world!

OP posts:
Olihan · 24/10/2006 22:16

I used to wash and sterilise the bottles, fill them with boiling water and leave them sealed on the side then add the powder at each feed time. That way I had 24 hours worth of feeds and didn't have to worry about someone using the kettle at a crucial time. It also meant I didn't need to take cartons when I went out or have to try and keep a made up bottle cold, I used one of the little formula powder pots and made it up when I needed it.

It's also really handy if you can get your baby to accept room temperature milk because you never have to worry about finding a means of heating it up when you're out. Makes life a lot easier!!

loopybear · 24/10/2006 22:31

I FF DD on Aptimil on demand. I make up a batch of bottle for the day and a batch for the night, and tend to throw after 12 hours (am a bit neurotic) I dried making up fresh it lasted one feed. I ended up get a ready mix out!! DD has had no problems. HV (slighlty useful for once) explained that the thing about making up fresh or sterilising water, warming and then adding powder, is becuase they have found there is a very slight risk of a bacteria that grows in the milk sometimes. DH poined out bacteria is just as likely to grow in the water unless you have an airtight sterile room in which you boil the water and put it in bottles. I've had no problems with DD making up a day and a night batch of bottles.

MKG · 24/10/2006 22:51

I would make my bottles the night before and put them in the fridge. If you have a dishwasher you don't need to worry about sterilizing. I would throw them in the microwave for 15 seconds to warm them up. (I know you're not supposed to, but everyone I know formula feeds and all use the microwave.) Or you can use warm water and not bother heating up. You don't need to have hot water just room temperature. (My sister's ds only takes bottles ice cold)
If you use powder formula definitely make the bottles ahead because some powders don't dissolve well and get clumpy inside the bottle. If you let them sit they don't get clumpy.

lulumama · 24/10/2006 22:57

new advice is that each feed is made with freshly boiled water that has cooled for 40 minutes....or use cartons! due to miniscule likelihood of bacteria leading to serious illness....

as you say, in the real world....not quite that easy.....

did the cooled boiled water & adding the powder as and when it wsa required...can get powder dispensers from mothercare.

and cartons ..though expensive...get round this

personally..would not feel comfortable not sterilising bottles, even if been through the dishwasher on a 'hot' cycle...especially for babies who are not crawling or putting things in their mouths yet.

simply because the bacteria that can not be destroyed without sterilising can be very harmful to newborns...and younger babies
IMO!!

alibobble · 25/10/2006 13:25

am trapped in cycle of having to make each feed fresh for dd as she will only take it warm (and I mean WARM!) Have got round the accidental boiled kettle sitch by having 1 ready made up bottle of 5/6 oz in fridge and to make a 5oz bottle will do 30z boiling water and make up then add 2 oz refrigerated milk and is roughly right temp. Powder dispensers are a life saver as is easier to make up the bottle fresh each time and also don't need to worry about travelling with boiled water in sterilized bottle cf formula made up which needs keeping cold etc. Such a faff! Am too tight to use cartons. Too expensive. Plus dd is on LF so can't get them anyway.

Mum2FunkyDude · 25/10/2006 13:32

The reason to mix the formula at high temp is to kill off al bad bacteria in the formula, it is not made in a sterile environment. You could buy thermos and boil water and pour into thermos until needed. Then add powder and mix. Alternatively microwave the water before you put the milk in, if it has been boiled before about 30 sec is all thats needed. here

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