How to prepare formula

[Pizzaandsushi]

I’ve absolutely no doubt this has been asked a million times on this thread but hoping people can provide all the answers to the questions an extremely sleep deprived mum has.

I had planned to breastfeed but after a traumatic birth, still waiting on referral for tongue tie and then an attempt at breastfeeding with nipple shields that resulted in straight up blood and a chunk of my nipple coming off (Bambis lady was horrified when she saw it) I’ve moved on to formula feeding to make sure my baby is fed.

However I feel a little clueless and have some questions.

1. How long after boiling kettle do you wait to add water? I add it almost immediately but maybe better to wait?
2. Do you add powder first or water first? I’ve heard adding powder second creates condensation on the scoop which is not good and makes the powder stick to the scoop more. But don’t the two different methods result in different volumes?
3. How do you weigh your water? Using scales or bars on bottle and do you do this in mls or oz?
4. How long do you cool under the tap/in a bowl of cold water before it’s an acceptable temp to store in the fridge (NHS says you can do this for up to 24 hours) and I don’t see how in the dead of night I could make a bottle fresh without him waking up the whole street!

I know I might be overthinking about it but any advice on this and anything else would be extremely welcome.

Get a prep machine. Second hand ones are a bargain and then go to a shop and buy a pack of new filters. It'll save time. Boiling water from the kettle takes so long to cool.

That's the wrong way round @Notanotherwindow - you must measure the water first before adding the powder otherwise the proportions of powder/water will be wrong and the formula too concentrated.

@DonnyBurrito

Also, the anti reflux formula (if you ever delve into that...) can't be used with the perfect prep. It goes lumpy and too thick the warmer it gets, so the 'hot shot' at the start ruins it. I think we used half a tub of that in 4 months and wasted most of what we did use trying to get the consistency right.

We used it fine with the perfect prep, just added both the hot shot and the cool water and then added the powder. Never went lumpy or too thick that way!

Boil a litre is because it fits in with the wait 30 mins advice. If you boiled less water it will fall to below 70c in less time.

Never did this, it's a waste of energy and water IMO. But I don't wait 30 mins either, so it doesn't matter. It's just so they can standardise advice.

@BertieBotts makes sense. I’m always there that I can add it straight away so can’t imagine it reaching 70 degrees any a minute or two.

@Bluebellsandbroomsticks

To be honest I ended up adding it after too, although you're not supposed to as by that point the temperature isn't high enough to make it safe. I think that's why anti reflux formula isn't recommended? My kid's still alive and well despite doing that though, although it did make his poop come out like a yellow crayon 😂

[quote DonnyBurrito]@Bluebellsandbroomsticks

To be honest I ended up adding it after too, although you're not supposed to as by that point the temperature isn't high enough to make it safe. I think that's why anti reflux formula isn't recommended? My kid's still alive and well despite doing that though, although it did make his poop come out like a yellow crayon 😂[/quote]
It isn't recommended? I never knew that, the health visitor knew he was on it and actually suggested it to me at the start! Ah well. DS suffered no ill effects

@Bluebellsandbroomsticks

My HV knew he was having a bit too and didn't seem bothered by it, but I didn't think health professionals could recommend it due to the instructions to make it at lower temperatures so it didn't go lumpy, and would recommend gaviscon or other medications first. It's still on the shelves at the moment, so obviously it's not a huge risk...

Did it help your LO btw?

@DonnyBurrito

Yes it definitely helped but didn't completely stop the reflux. He wasn't in pain with it and it disappeared by the time he was 11 months and self weaned off the bottles. So it was solid food that helped him in the end.

@Notanotherwindow

I literally just dump the powder in, fill to the line with boiling water then stick the bottle in ice water for a few minutes to cool it.

You should be putting the water in first so that it's correct in terms of quantity.

Hi @Pizzaandsushi

Hope you’re getting on ok.

My experience of FF:

-perfect prep machine
-ready made bottles for out and about
-microwave steriliser
-pots to pre measure powder if you’re tired at night
-breath and remember you are an amazing mum

@Camillasmummy hey thanks for your suggestions. We’re getting there. He still has pretty bad reflux and has now been put on omeprazole after trying gaviscon for weeks with no real success. Not ideal but really hoping he won’t have to be on it too long but it was agony watching him be in pain and sicking up most of his milk!

In the end we got a perfect prep and 100% the best decision. I’m so tired all the time and still healing from my tear so not having to faff with the kettle and worry about making bottles in time has been a life saver!
I’ve also bought some pots to premeasure, which again is an extra little peace of mind when making bottles at night.
If I could only figure out the solution to not want to check he’s breathing all the time or be able to block out his loud sleep noises I’d be set 😂.

@Pizzaandsushi oh yes I used to check the breathing a lot too! Definitely got more relaxed around the 5/6 month mark ☺️