Using cold tap water for formula

[Tiptopj]

Can you help me clear something up in my head for me please.

DS IS 7 months. Weaning is going well and he still having 4 bottles of milk per day. We are going on a short uk break in september and I'm trying to work out the best way to make up his bottles in a hotel room. He has anti reflux milk so using ready made isn't an option.

I've always made up my bottles in advance and stored in the back of the fridge but as there's no fridge in the hotel room I can't do this.

When we're out for the day I do the flask of boiling water, add 2oz of this to the formula and then top up with cooled boiled water thing which has always worked fine for us. My question then is: is there a reason why I couldn't use part boiling water from a kettle and top up with tap water to cool now weaning has begun?

To be clear, I completely understand why the powder has to be made with hot boiled water to kill any bacteria. and bottles still get sterilized to kill any bacteria left over from milk residue. But if I am giving ds water straight from the tap to drink from a beaker during his food meals (so his digestive system is used to our tap water) then could I do this:

Boil hotel kettle with fresh water. Let cool for 5 mins.
Add 2oz of this boiled water to the formula in a sterilized bottle and mix.
Top up with 5oz cold tap water.
Check temperature and serve.

Would that work? Thanks for any replies.

I can't see how that would be a problem at all now that he's drinking straight tap water. I'd just go for it.

Yes that’s fine.

If say that would be fine, as long as you serve straight away

Yes I did this much earlier on (from 1m old) even though not recommended, and all my 3 boys have been fine.

Yes that's fine, just make sure you measure the cold water so you are using the right powder to water ratio.

Thanks for quick replies. In my head I really can't see why it wouldn't be safe so think i will go with this option

No you're not really meant to do that. When you're making it with a perfect prep machine, the cold water bit needs to be filtered, so it's not straight from the tap. I give my youngest tap water now to drink (10 months) but not for formula.

You could ring the hotel and see if they have a fridge in the room?

Sounds fine but, if you're putting the powder in first you'd have to account for that when putting the rest of the water in if you get what I mean.

So say you're making a 5oz bottle, usually you'd put 5oz of water in and then the powder and shake. But if you're putting the powder in before all the water is added then you might need a tiny bit extra water to account for the space the powder took up.

Unless I've miss understood what you want to do in which case ignore me😂

My dd is 10 months and I give cool boiled water and not tap water, as I thought I was meant to, have I been making more hard work for myself than I needed to?

Hi pepper, you're right that's what I'm thinking of doing. Basically.make it the same as I do when I'm out for the day but In stead of topping up with cooled bpiled water from a flask I'd use tap water.

Quantities should be okay as I'll use the same ratio I use now.

Hi unicorn, I've already checked and they don't supply fridges. I thought about getting one of those little beer can ones to take but I don't trust it to be cold enough to store the milk for longer than a few hours.

Sounds fine to me

It’s fine. Bacteria need time to grow to levels that cause harm. If used immediately the risk is minimal.

Cheerio- I read once over 6 month water to drink doesn't need to be boiled first it can come straight from the tap. I still.use boiled water to make bottles up though.

It it's just a short break it would be a lot less hassle and no worries about hygiene to just use the pre-mixed bottles. That's what we did, well worth the extra cost.

That said, I think your method is fine, so long as the water is boiling to kill any formula in the bacteria there's nothing wrong with using tap water. You need hot soapy water though to clean the bottles in between, I wouldn't be too happy about doing that in a hotel sink that's also used for washing.

Yes you can use tap water for drinking after 6 months but the reason you are advised to add water to the formula is to kill any potentially lethal bacteria. So it’s not the water that’s a risk but the formula. It’s a very small risk, but the risk is there.

Sorry, I stand corrected. Have a read of this leaflet from WHO

Hey daisy- I use the anti reflux milk which they don't pre made for some reason otherwise ready made would be so much easier. I was thinking of buying those Milton sterilizing tablets so after washing the bottles I would soak them in the sink it that. And they say formula feeding is simple!! Lol

Why would you not just use cool boiled water? Have I missed something? Is it just for convenience?