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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Combi feeding/ sterilising help!!

14 replies

babymom23 · 03/10/2023 21:34

I've had to start combi feeding. I was EBF but my supply was low and baby wasn't getting what she needed. I am struggling with sterilising and finding the time to sterilise pump parts (I have to pump when baby gets a bottle to maintain supply). Do you just sterilise once a day and wash with hot soapy water between uses?? Is this okay?? I have been sterilising after every use and it was taking up so much time.

I'm also considering using cold water sterilisation? But how do you dry? I'm a single first time mum so it's all a bit overwhelming 🤣

If anyone has any nice stories about getting supply up or combi feeding please feel free to share also. I have been a bit upset with having to do this but I know fed is best 💜

OP posts:
ditalini · 03/10/2023 22:01

You can just air dry after cold water sterilising. You can also just use the bits straight out of the sterilising tub if you want.

Having said that, the advice last time I was bf (and it was 10 years ago so it could have changed, but this was as an inpatient with a newborn), was that you don't have to sterilise bottles and pumps when expressing breastmilk. Just wash thoroughly (use bottle brush for crannies) in hot soapy water and air dry.

ditalini · 03/10/2023 22:04

ditalini · 03/10/2023 22:01

You can just air dry after cold water sterilising. You can also just use the bits straight out of the sterilising tub if you want.

Having said that, the advice last time I was bf (and it was 10 years ago so it could have changed, but this was as an inpatient with a newborn), was that you don't have to sterilise bottles and pumps when expressing breastmilk. Just wash thoroughly (use bottle brush for crannies) in hot soapy water and air dry.

Ok, just checked (sorry can't edit on the app) - Yes, advice has changed. You do need to sterilise once a day, so cold water big box sterilising might be the way to go.

Spicytunasarnie · 03/10/2023 22:11

I did the same with DS due to same reasons. I sterilised once a day and kept the pump parts in a sealable freezer bag in the fridge during the day so that I didn't have to wash. Saw this on kellymom website I believe. Also had a mini fridge in the bedroom we slept with DS to keep pump parts, formula etc rather than to run up and down the stairs to the kitchen in the middle of the night. Perception of life understand what's important.

Spicytunasarnie · 03/10/2023 22:14

Spicytunasarnie · 03/10/2023 22:11

I did the same with DS due to same reasons. I sterilised once a day and kept the pump parts in a sealable freezer bag in the fridge during the day so that I didn't have to wash. Saw this on kellymom website I believe. Also had a mini fridge in the bedroom we slept with DS to keep pump parts, formula etc rather than to run up and down the stairs to the kitchen in the middle of the night. Perception of life understand what's important.

Ouch, my keyboard picked up on what I was saying to DH in the last bit! Blush

AliceMcK · 03/10/2023 22:21

It feels like forever ago, but actually not, my youngest just turned 6.

I always used microwave sterilisers, had enough bottles (including pumping bottles) to cover 24 hours. A big soapy wash, rinse then sterilise. I’d always try and keep ahead so I was never needing to clean an feed at the same time.

I did try the cold steriliser with baby #1, it was ok but I preferred the microwave steriliser when we started using it.

I didn’t pump with my last, I gave up after a week, I had a terminally ill parent so exclusively bottle fed after a week. My others from memory I think I sterilised all bottles and pump equipment once a day too.

The best thing I found after having number 3 was the tommee tippee prep maker, it was life changing (but needs regular cleaning), I also used ready made formula for the first time. Under the circumstances I was doing everything I could to make life easier, both it actually did make life easier.

OdeToBarney · 03/10/2023 22:25

You only need to wash and sterilise once a day if you keep the pump parts in a sealed box or bag in the fridge between uses!

Original poster
babymom23 · 04/10/2023 09:37

ditalini · 03/10/2023 22:01

You can just air dry after cold water sterilising. You can also just use the bits straight out of the sterilising tub if you want.

Having said that, the advice last time I was bf (and it was 10 years ago so it could have changed, but this was as an inpatient with a newborn), was that you don't have to sterilise bottles and pumps when expressing breastmilk. Just wash thoroughly (use bottle brush for crannies) in hot soapy water and air dry.

That's perfect thank you, I wasn't sure if I could use the stuff straight away or just wait for it to dry etc!

OP posts:
Original poster
babymom23 · 04/10/2023 09:37

Spicytunasarnie · 03/10/2023 22:11

I did the same with DS due to same reasons. I sterilised once a day and kept the pump parts in a sealable freezer bag in the fridge during the day so that I didn't have to wash. Saw this on kellymom website I believe. Also had a mini fridge in the bedroom we slept with DS to keep pump parts, formula etc rather than to run up and down the stairs to the kitchen in the middle of the night. Perception of life understand what's important.

Ah a mini fridge is a great idea, I might look in to that! Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
babymom23 · 04/10/2023 09:40

AliceMcK · 03/10/2023 22:21

It feels like forever ago, but actually not, my youngest just turned 6.

I always used microwave sterilisers, had enough bottles (including pumping bottles) to cover 24 hours. A big soapy wash, rinse then sterilise. I’d always try and keep ahead so I was never needing to clean an feed at the same time.

I did try the cold steriliser with baby #1, it was ok but I preferred the microwave steriliser when we started using it.

I didn’t pump with my last, I gave up after a week, I had a terminally ill parent so exclusively bottle fed after a week. My others from memory I think I sterilised all bottles and pump equipment once a day too.

The best thing I found after having number 3 was the tommee tippee prep maker, it was life changing (but needs regular cleaning), I also used ready made formula for the first time. Under the circumstances I was doing everything I could to make life easier, both it actually did make life easier.

I'm sorry to hear about your parent. Thank you for this advice though. I am using ready made formula at the moment as we are only needing one or two bottles depending on how much I am expressing. I will look in to the prep maker though as it will be more sustainable to use powder probably in the long run. Thank you again!

OP posts:
2mummiestoArthur · 05/10/2023 05:00

Hi there, my 9 week old is now bottle fed, am I able to mix formula with boiled water, then add cooled boiled water to cool it to correct temperature??

Original poster
babymom23 · 05/10/2023 05:51

2mummiestoArthur · 05/10/2023 05:00

Hi there, my 9 week old is now bottle fed, am I able to mix formula with boiled water, then add cooled boiled water to cool it to correct temperature??

Honestly I'm not sure, I'm using ready made formula at the minute but I know the NHS recommend boiling the kettle and leaving for 30 minutes - this will bring the temperature to 70 degrees. Then make up the bottle and cool it by running under the cold water tap

I'm not sure if this helps any www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/bottle-feeding/making-up-baby-formula/ 💜

OP posts:
Devilsmommy · 05/10/2023 06:02

@2mummiestoArthur yes you can make formula with boiled water and add cooled boiled water to get it to right temp. Never give cold water from tap that hasn't been boiled and cooled down. Not until they're 6 months

katerose2022 · 05/10/2023 18:54

2mummiestoArthur · 05/10/2023 05:00

Hi there, my 9 week old is now bottle fed, am I able to mix formula with boiled water, then add cooled boiled water to cool it to correct temperature??

Yes. That's basically what perfect prep machine does. We got a Nuby rapidcool bottle to do the same thing. You can have a look at it if you want to save some time making the bottle

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