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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

Heating up formula

19 replies

Jessie53 · 29/03/2021 07:59

Hi all,
Please can i just have some advice on 1) how does everyone make their formula and 2) once bottles are placed in the fridge, does anyone place them in the microwave to heat up?

I just want advice as iv been told so many different things around getting bottles to room/warm temperature!
Thankyou 😊

OP posts:

dementedpixie · 29/03/2021 08:04

Strictly speaking you should make them as you need them so you'd be cooling them down not warming them up

8dpwoah · 29/03/2021 08:05

www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/bottle-feeding/making-up-baby-formula/

I BF but did use the occasional bottle- absolutely do not use the microwave, I can't believe anywhere would actually advise this!

We got a perfect prep machine in the end (I resisted for a long time) and it made it so much easier to do a fesh bottle that was just right. You do have to be scrupulous with your cleaning and follow the instructions though.

I don't think you are meant to keep them in the fridge either but I know a lot do, and it's easy for me to say that when we weren't doing all bottles.

8dpwoah · 29/03/2021 08:06

We also used ready made milk cartons at times and had a little bottle warmer device but you could replicate it with a measuring jug and hot water for it to stand in.

BrokenLink · 29/03/2021 08:40

It is no longer recommended to make up bottles of formula and store them in the fridge. This is because bacteria has been known to grow under these conditions. He safest bottle is one which you make up with water which has been boiled and cooled for no longer than half an hour. It's safe to store the boiled water in a clean thermos flask, for example, if you need to prepare a feed when you are out.

Original poster

Jessie53 · 29/03/2021 13:14

Thankyou all.
Iv been told not to use the perfect prep machine as the hot shot isnt hot enough to kill the bacteria at 70 degrees??
Il stick to what inknow with making it by kettle.
I do make up a batch of 4 in a day and use premade formula bottles in between too.
Il continue to warm them with boiling water in jug.

OP posts:

Vicky1989x · 29/03/2021 13:27

I’ve always made my DDs bottles up and placed in the fridge and warm them up in a bottle warmer.

Piccalily19 · 31/03/2021 20:08

Get some small chilli’s insulated bottles (or other cheaper versions), boil your kettle and cool the water until it’s warm then pour it all into the insulated bottle. Put the right amount of powder into however many bottles you’ll need during the day or night and then just top up with the warm kettle water as needed ☺️
I mostly BF but have done this for the odd formula bottle I’ve needed to prep in advance.
The formula I use says to dispose of it if it’s not drank within an hour or 2

Booksandtea84 · 01/04/2021 14:03

We always did bottles up in advance, in fridge and then put in microwave for a few seconds to warm up. Just shake well before giving it so heat spots disappear.

Also they do say not to pre make bottles, but the NHS actually says fine to store in fridge for 24hrs so www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/bottle-feeding/formula-milk-questions/
...so up to you. I personally felt it was safer than prep machines!

Original poster

Jessie53 · 02/04/2021 12:01

Thankyou so much for your advice!! Iv premade the bottles by kettle. Let them cool down to room temp, then into fridge.
Iv then placed cold bottle in a jug of boiling water because everyone jumps on you when you say about microwaving them!!!

OP posts:

MeadowHay · 02/04/2021 12:05

@Jessie53

Thankyou so much for your advice!! Iv premade the bottles by kettle. Let them cool down to room temp, then into fridge. Iv then placed cold bottle in a jug of boiling water because everyone jumps on you when you say about microwaving them!!!

This is exactly what we did with DD. made them up the night before then warmed each one as needed the next day.

8dpwoah · 02/04/2021 14:05

Everyone "jumps on" the use of the microwave as nobody wants to see a child get scalded because their parent apparently knew better 🙄

Booksandtea84 · 02/04/2021 15:00

The only time I once scalded my no 1 as a frantic FTM was when making up a fresh bottle cos freaked out abt premaking up bottles and microwave. Didn't cool it down enough as I got flustered while baby was screaming for the bottle... nothing is error safe and we're all human. This site is too full of better than thou people .
Op whatever you do someone will frown and make out you're a bad mum. Do what you are comfortable with and works for you and baby.

Kimye4eva · 02/04/2021 15:06

@8dpwoah

Everyone "jumps on" the use of the microwave as nobody wants to see a child get scalded because their parent apparently knew better 🙄

Shaking the bottle to make sure the temperature is even throughout really isn’t that hard.

lillypond75 · 02/04/2021 15:18

I make up bottles and store in fridge for no more than 24 hours. World health organisation says this is fine. I bought a bottle warmer for heating them up.

Original poster

Jessie53 · 03/04/2021 07:31

@Booksandtea84

. Op whatever you do someone will frown and make out you're a bad mum. Do what you are comfortable with and works for you and baby.

Course we are only human! My baby goes for 0-100 when hes hungry and the pressure is ridiculous!!! Its nice to see mums so honest on here 😊

OP posts:

Original poster

Jessie53 · 03/04/2021 07:32

@8dpwoah

Everyone "jumps on" the use of the microwave as nobody wants to see a child get scalded because their parent apparently knew better 🙄

Just shake it for a good ten seconds and test on arm. Cant go wrong!

OP posts:

BertieBotts · 03/04/2021 07:40

Best practice is to make up with boiling water, cool and feed immediately, but that is a bit overkill, it's about not giving bacteria any chance to redouble. They say to do both in case you're a bit lax with one or the other. Second best is to make up with boiling water, cool quickly and store right at the back of the fridge (the coldest part!)

But if you're making in advance, you should flash cool the bottles, so stand them in a jug/bowl of cold water for a few mins before putting in fridge. Actually a modern fridge is quite able to cope with having hot things placed in it as long as they aren't lava or something! So you can stick them straight in there. It's not a good idea to leave them to cool to room temperature slowly as this leaves them in the danger zone for too long which could allow bacteria to multiply. Boiling water won't kill all but just reduce them to a managable level.

We warmed bottles in hot water but TBH it was annoying, I felt it was risky with the baby wanting to grab it, and with Mam bottles it would collect in the bit at the bottom and dribble all over your arm or the baby, so I wish we'd just got a bottle warmer! It's defo worth it if you're doing at least one bottle a day.

8dpwoah · 03/04/2021 08:43

You asked for advice so people are giving you best practice to help you cut through all the different things you are being told(see NHS link). Sounds like what you actually wanted was confirmation that not following best practice is ok- which is what you should have said in your OP.

It would be irresponsible to promote things other than best practice on a public forum, in my opinion.

Parker231 · 09/04/2021 22:54

Perfect prep - makes life so much easier!

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