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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

Sterilising bottles when out and about - help!

25 replies

FolkyFoxFace · 02/04/2021 11:38

I'm mixed feeding DS(3 weeks) as we've had latching issues (tongue tie, etc.). We haven't spent a day out yet but need to next week - he's going to need at least 3 bottle feeds in that space of time.

How do I go about this? I'm using the ready made cartons of Aptamil but I've no idea how to go about sterilising a fresh bottle for each feed. Should I just take 3-4 sterilised bottles with me to pour milk into? Seems like a lot so maybe I'm missing something. With everywhere being closed at the moment I've no idea what to do! Didn't plan on formula feeding at all so I'm very new to all of this - I'd love some advice!

OP posts:

dementedpixie · 02/04/2021 11:43

Yes take some empty sterilised bottles and the cartons with you rather than trying to sterilise the same one. If you have a pram then it's great for carrying the myriads of items you need to go out for the day with a baby!

trevthecat · 02/04/2021 11:46

Yeah empty, sterilised bottles. It's a pain but gets easier

CupcakesK · 02/04/2021 11:47

You can also get sterilising bags to sterilise a couple of bottles on the go (e.g. tommee tippee ones), so you just need access to a microwave. Useful if you're going to someones house, or e.g. places like Ikea usually have a microwave in the cafe area (when allowed to visit them!)

Copperblack · 02/04/2021 11:48

If it’s an occasional day out and he is tiny, the packs of ready made bottles designed for hospital can make life a lot easier while you are getting used to things. Good luck!

Fuckitaaaallllll · 02/04/2021 11:50

Take the bottles. I once got caught short and managed to get a cafe to half fill a bottle with boiling water and shook it like mad for ages but I felt uneasy about it.
I agree it's a lot to carry around but you'll feel more comfortable knowing they're there.

apurplecar · 02/04/2021 11:56

I used to take four out with me

Original poster

FolkyFoxFace · 02/04/2021 14:26

Oh wow, thanks everyone! So glad I asked now!

So just to confirm, if for example I opened a bottle of Aptamil and poured in 90ml, if at 12pm he drank 60ml I wouldn't be able to let him have that 30ml that's left over half an hour later could I, as his lips have touched it? Hasn't been something I've had to consider at home but now I'm giving myself a crash course!

The Aptamil bottles themselves last an hour once opened if not in the fridge?

And finally - can anyone recommend a decent bag to store everything in? I've got a good pram but I'm also thinking about any days we go out with the sling!

Thank you!

OP posts:

sylbunny · 02/04/2021 14:40

I think the rule is an hour after starting but I may be wrong!

Barneybear11 · 02/04/2021 14:46

Once they’ve had the bottle in their mouth, it’s an hour. Discard and use fresh milk and bottle once the hour is up. We used to take a few sterilised bottles out with cartons. Always best to take more than you need as it’s sod’s law the day you don’t take enough, they want a bit extra than usual.

december212 · 02/04/2021 14:50

I had a few different changing bags but the best was a rucksack style, only about £20 on Amazon. Decent size but being able to put it on my back when my Daughter started toddling about made life easier.

I'd give the rest of the milk in the same bottle if within a fairly short period of time, say an hour. After that, definitely a fresh bottle.

All the sterilising at the start is hard going but it's not for long. Then they will be crawling about trying to eat their dirty shoes and all sorts

Original poster

FolkyFoxFace · 02/04/2021 19:02

Oh brilliant, so even when out and about I can give the rest of his bottle as long as it's within the hour? That's brilliant. Is it the same for the rest of the bottle of formula itself? I'm probably just sleep deprived and over anxious, but I just want to be sure! Everything else I read is based on being at home with fridge access.

Will have a look for a rucksack type bag! Some of the baby bags I've seen look so glitzy and definitely not as roomy as a good rucksack. Definitely not for long days, anyway.

It's such a funny stage, this newborn bit. I love it but it's terrifying! As I suppose each new stage will be. 😂

OP posts:

orangejuicer · 02/04/2021 19:05

It's an hour from opening as well I think. It'll say on the bottle.

orangejuicer · 02/04/2021 19:07

Also congratulations OP!
We bought a massive sports bag for the 0-12m stage. You probably won't need something quite that big

shouldistop · 02/04/2021 20:10

Btw in case you didn't know, breastmilk can last out of the fridge for 6 hours. Just incase it's easier to take a couple of bottles of pumped milk.

orangejuicer · 02/04/2021 20:42

OP is using formula.

shouldistop · 02/04/2021 20:43

She said she was mix feeding

BertieBotts · 02/04/2021 20:48

It's 2 hours after opening if at room temp and hasn't been in contact with their mouth. TBH with the premade stuff, you can probably get away with more than 2 hours as it's like UHT milk. The guidance is 2 hours for the powdered made up formula. Or up to 6 hours if it's been chilled and is kept in a cool pack, so 2 hours does seem a bit overcautious for one of those little premade bottles!

It will more than likely say on the packaging actually how long you can keep after opening if refrigerated/if not and if it doesn't, you could always call their helpline and ask.

tinatsarina · 02/04/2021 20:49

She mentioned mixed feeding so it's worthwhile giving advice for both. I breastfed both of mine but the advice up thread is good to just bring pre sterilised bottles. You can get the tubs to put formula in and bottle insulators to keep the water warm but it would only really do for one or two so the cartons would be better if you needed more than that

Original poster

FolkyFoxFace · 02/04/2021 20:54

@orangejuicer Thank you! I feel a bit more prepared now. Now all I've got to worry about is getting out in the first place, and hoping he won't mind his pram. 😂 DH has a gigantic camping rucksack and I've seen him eyeing it up...will warn him off it, tempting as it would be to see him wrangling that down the street.

@shouldistop Ah, I'm not getting anywhere with the pumping yet unfortunately. At the moment he's on formula and a top up of breastfeeding from the breast. He's not very good at it, poor thing, but he enjoys it and gets a little. Waiting list for his tongue tie appointment is 12 weeks on the NHS and 8 weeks privately, so I'm not sure what lies ahead but we'll see. He's a happy chappy with his formula though, and that's the important thing. 😊

OP posts:

shouldistop · 02/04/2021 20:56

God 8 weeks?! That's awful, you poor thing. Ds2 had a TT and I managed to get a private snip about a week after contacting someone. There were only 2 practitioners that I could find in the whole of Scotland too so wasn't spoiled for choice. Could you try looking around for someone else?

Original poster

FolkyFoxFace · 02/04/2021 20:58

Thank you! I think I was getting confused with something the HV said about bottles he's drank from. I'm very tired! 😂 and that does seem more likely - I'll have a check to be on the safe side, but 2 hours does seem about right when I think about it logically.

OP posts:

Original poster

FolkyFoxFace · 02/04/2021 21:00

@shouldistop

I know, I couldn't believe it myself. I'd heard of so many people getting really quick appts so thought it was a really quick fix! We're having a look at the moment to find someone else reputable...it's a minefield out there! Or maybe it's just my area combined with lockdown.

OP posts:

shouldistop · 02/04/2021 21:12

You've probably seen this website but just incase you haven't

www.tongue-tie.org.uk/find-a-practitioner/

Original poster

FolkyFoxFace · 02/04/2021 21:14

[quote shouldistop]You've probably seen this website but just incase you haven't

www.tongue-tie.org.uk/find-a-practitioner/[/quote]
I actually hadn't seen that yet, thank you! Hopefully I've been missing somewhere - fingers crossed!

OP posts:

Redruby2020 · 03/04/2021 01:05

@apurplecar

I used to take four out with me

Haa sounds like me! I used to think I must be nuts my pram bag was packed full! Now I have a nagging toddler always asking for food, milk feeds don't seem so bad after all now 🤔🤣

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