Bottle feeding when leaving the house...

[penguin7]

We're due our first baby very soon and just wondering about formula feeding when out of the house.

We're planning to use Perfect Prep machine at home. When leaving the house what's the best advice to make up bottles?

Before leaving home, could we boil the kettle then pour the correct amount of water into the bottle and take that and just add the formula when needed? I've bought formula containers so can measure out correct amount of formula.

Also, if this way is safe to do and the water has become a bit cooler when needed is it ok to just warm it in a jug/flask/container of hot water? (I was looking at getting the Tommee Tippee Travel Warmer)

I know I may sound completely clueless and hoping once baby arrives we will become a pro at this and this question may then seem a bit silly!

Use ready made formula. Chuck a sterilised bottle and a carton of formula into your bag. When it’s time for a feed pour formula into bottle and job done. Unless baby has to have special formula due to a medical need I don’t see why you’d make work for yourself. You can’t use room temp water so you’d need to carry 2 flasks, one hot and one cool boiled water, to mimic the prep machine. It’s easiest of all to get baby taking room temp ready made but if they do insist on it being warmed you can use a bottle warmer or any cafe/restaurant will usually give you a cup of hot water you can stand the bottle in.

If you can't make a bottle up fresh with hot water then the next best practice is to make it up with hot water (from the kettle) and then cool quickly and chill. Once chilled, you can take it out and about with a cool pack for up to 4 hours.

Making up with cool boiled water is a higher risk comparatively in case there is any contamination of the powder.

@penguin it's really important that you add the formula to boiling water to kill any bacteria. Highly recommend the ready made formula for out and about.

Ok thank you will look into getting the ready made formula for when out and about, these can be drank at any temperature?

How long will you be out? I usually took a ready made if we’d be a while but if I knew the bottle would be used in less than an hours time or so I’d make it up at home and take with.

Ready made can be drank at any temperature. I usually take a flask and fill it with hot water and take powder measured out in containers. Make up the feed some time before baby is due to allow it to cool enough.

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