Help me understand formula feeding

[DouglasFirs]

I've been breastfeeding my baby (now 6 months) and also giving those ready made bottles when it's more convenient.

I want to start using more formula but I'm confused about how to do it when out and about. So far, the ready made bottles have been fine but they are obviously more pricey than powder (especially now she'll polish off a whole one per feed!) How do you formula feed with the powder if you are out for a day and have no access to boiling water? Is it ok to make up bottles before you go and use them as and when you need? I can't see what the problem would be with this but the instructions say not to! How did people do it before ready made bottles were available?!

[DouglasFirs]

Gah! It is a minefield isn't it?! I do agree with other posters who've said the water needs to be above 70 to kill the possible bacteria in the formula. I think I'll go with a pre-made bottle and if it doesn't get used in the timeframe recommended, I'll use a readymade 80p bottle, hopefully keeping costs down. And possibly stick to days out where a kettle is available 😂

[DouglasFirs]

Also thank you for your input, I've found it very helpful! I have found breastfeeding really hard to get to grips with and thought formula would be easier but seems I'm struggling more with the logistics of formula

[AgnesCactus]

I live outside the UK and our midwives leave information leaflets regarding how to make up a feed. I was very grateful for this as bf didn't work out for me. Their advice was to boil a kettle of water 1 ltr and cool for 30 mins. Then you could make up several bottles (water at 70degrees), then quick cool - ice bath and store in the fridge for 12 hours max.

I did this, but used cartons when out. More info on making up bottles safely needs to be given.

[DouglasFirs]

I completely agree about lack of info and support with formula feeding; there are so many sources available for breastfeeding (which I'm very grateful for!) but I have struggled to get the same level of advice with formula feeding, hence this thread!

[RandomDent]

I used ready made formula with my two. To help a bit with the cost I switched to follow on at six months, so could get a few Boots points.

[heatherwithapee]

I wouldn't get too worried about hygiene for a 6 month old. They'll be crawling soon and putting allsorts in their mouth!

[anonnnnnn3366]

4 dc's and I just made up the water, left on side and added milk when I was about to feed (added/ fed at room temp)

I used to take the bottle of water up to bed with me and add the formula when required for the first 6 weeks when still waking for a feed.

None of my 4 children ever got and all all my friends do the same to

[MatildaOfTuscany]

As the old adage has it, the plural of anecdote is not data! Saying "well I used cold water and mine were fine" simply means you were lucky. It's a bit like not vaccinating your child - the chances of something going wrong as a result are very very low, but the consequences could be catastrophic.

[MyBreadIsEggy]

What Matilda said ^