New to powdered formula - not mixing?

[Singingatmidnight]

I've been combination feeding for three months using ready made formula. I've tried to make the switch to powder this week but I can't get it to mix properly! What am I doing wrong?

• Boiled water cooled for 30 mins
• Measure water
• Scoop in Aptamil powder
• Shake up and down hard for 10 seconds (I do more like 15)
• bit of a swirl for good measure
• cool under the tap etc

The formula ends up both very frothy and not mixed! Am I missing something obvious? I'll be back on ready made at this rate.

I think its aptamil powder that's the problem. Maybe try a different brand of formula

You don't need to cool for exactly 30 mins, just no more than. I would try hotter water. It defo mixed when we did it this way, though.

I tended to pour the water into a second bottle so that it didn't steam up the scoop.

It does get frothy, but by the time it's cooled down this isn't a huge issue.

The water can sit, post boil, in the kettle for up to 30 mins. So you can make it with freshly boiled water.

I have seen other threads about aptamil not dissolving properly

@dementedpixie

Oh, what a pain. Thanks, I'll look into that.

Sorry, I meant to say cooled for up to 30 mins. But I will try cooling it less too, thanks all.

Don't you have to add the powder to hot boiled water to kill any possible bugs in the powder? And then chill after?
That's certainly what I was told though it's a few years ago now.

The formula is better made with water that is boiling hot, then cooled down under a cold running tap to a drinkable temperature.

It doesn't mix as well with cooler water.

Another option is to pour the right amount into a separate bottle, then add a small amount to the powder. Swirl and agitate rather than shake, then add the remainder.

@poshme Yes, but it also can't be boiling apparently. The pack says to cool the water for 30 mins.

Does it not say it cool for no longer than 30 minutes?

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz Thanks, good thought. I'll try it.

Mixing it with hot water then cooling bottle down works better

The water should still be at least 70⁰C when cooled for no longer than 30 minutes

@dementedpixie

"Leave kettle to cool for 30 minutes and no longer (allowing the water to reach 70°C once cooled from boiling)."

So, I was reading that to mean that the water can't be boiling?

I mean, if you buy the exact same carton in Germany it says to cool to around 40-50C. So I am not sure the exact temperature is a huge factor. I followed the world health organisation advice, which is the same as NHS advice. They won't say to use just boiled water because the pressure from shaking it makes it squirt out the teat which can cause scalding, but it's ok if you put a lid on it.

You can allow for a bit of variance in the method, I also felt paranoid about following instructions perfectly to the letter when we first moved from ready made to powder, but it's not that exact of a science. You can try changing the temperature, order of steps or powder brand if you want to without consequence so just look for something that works for you.

Go on Facebook or something and get a second hand perfect prep for £20, saves so much hassle and perfect bottles every time!

My understanding always was never leave more than 30 minutes from boiling. Not to wait 30 minutes.

I always used the water a few minutes after the kettle had finished and it then cooled the bottle down under the cold tap.

Reporting back - tried all your suggestions, but @dementedpixie was right, it was the Aptamil. Changed brands and there's no issue at all - mixes fine and almost no froth!

Not buying Aptamil again now, what a waste.

I found the same and ended up switching to cow and gate. I boil the kettle and wait 25 minutes before making the bottle. I was told that if you use the water straight after boiling then it will kill bacteria and the nutrients which is why it needs to be slightly cooler than boiling. I'm not sure if this is definitely correct but it works for us. I make two up at a time and keep them in the fridge. My baby is happy to have them cold too. They will be used within 5 hours although apparently you can keep them in there for 24 hours. Not sure I would wait that long.