how do you make up bottles (store in fridge till needed, or make up as go along) and best way of warming them up

[tinkisinthe3rdtrimester]

hi

i am 29 weeks pregnant

will be just bottle feeding this one
just getting orgnaized
with dd made them all up in the fridge night before heard there is new guidlines about doindthis and that u should only make up as you go along
was thinking especially with night feeds if you make up as you go along wont it be too hot how do you cool down?

I didnt think babies under 6 months old can have plain old tap water, hence it has to be cooled boiled water.

to kill off any bugs presumably?

Mppaw, that is what everyone says, but why? Boiling tap water in a kettle won't kill anything. When there are outbreaks in drinking water (there were 2 big ones in Sydney over the last 10 years or so when I was there) they specifically say that boiling in a kettle does nothing and that water needs to be boiled for 7 mins + to kill harmful bacteria. So I don't know why we bother with this bit of "the rules"?

would like to say that MIL and FIL foster babies. They had never ever heard of the change until i mentioned this thread to them.to be fair they could have read the side of the cartons but they have been making up bottles for about 15 years so wouldn't have thought of it automatically. They contacted SS for advice and SS will get back to them. Luckily they have no babies at the moment so aren't as worried as they could be.

Can i just ask, is the risk of death for newborns or ALL ages? DS3 has an occasional bottle at night which is either left in fridge made up(if we are out) or the water left on the side to cool and powder ready to add.

That's interesting bubbaluv - might explain why they just use tap water in US.

There is a risk for all but greatest for prem babies and those < 1 month.

have just realised that although plenty of people have come on this thread saying you should follow the guidelines, noone has said they do. So is there anyone there who manages to follow them?

I'm thinking of the guidelines to have boiling water with you when you are out to add to the formula, btw.

If out and about I take cartons.

Ok, I'm back, and I'd just like to say that I'm very sorry for being so offensive.

It's no excuse but I was having a very bad day yesterday. So often I see people beating about the bush here and yesterday I just said what was on my mind.

FWIW, I don't think that either of you are thick - lots of people clearly don't know of the issues surrounding formula sterlility and the guidelines are confusing. I apologise unresevervedly for causing offence.

I checked the guidelines with several baby food suppliers today, and they all area saying the same thing: Boil water, leave in KETTLE for 15-30 minutes, then transfer to bottle (one only), add formula and cool. Then give immediately.

I can't think of any other industry which would get away with such guidelines.

Are babies supposed to pre-order food? Or, as mummies, are we supposed to know, 40 minutes in advance, our babies will need a feed and ensure we have water, kettle, formula, cold water etc. all to hand? It's madness.

If, by adding hot water, the solution is made sterile (by killing the bacteria) then being kept at low temperatures for a small amount of time after that ought not matter.. the solution is STERILE, so no bacteria can grow in it.

I still believe that, at 70degC, bacteria aren't going to be killed off (if they exist).

I think this is the suppliers being overly sensitive (rightly) and making sure they arre WAY clear of any guidelines.

thats really nice of you to apologise freddysteddy (and hope today was a better day ).

Lets face it is anything easy about having kids so many confusing things -this is just the start (that said I've gone out and bought a flask today so I can have an alternative to lugging formula cartons when out).

thanks for update notsoserious - agree that the thing that is puzzling as others have posted is that 70 degree doesn't seem that high a temperature to kill germs -although I think it may be that this is aimed at a couple of specific types that are likely to be a particular concern in milk.

The FSA guidance that VS posted clearly states that you can make up feed in advance and store in the fridge - so that's what I'll carry on doing.

As notsoserious says, babies do not pre-order food and the idea of making up each bottle as you go along is madness unless you have a clockwork Gina Ford baby which I don't.

It does say that it's best not to though spongebrain.
But that at times it's not practical.

Agree, Poppy, I won't take the risk either, but as someone who has worked with various different types of bacteria, fungi and moulds, I haven't found any that are killed at 70DegC.. If only!!!!

ALso, Freddysteddy - your apology is appreciated, but I think ought to be directed to LP74 - she didn't deserve your comments.

Anyway, it's all very confusing!!

This has nothing to do with the thread, but spongebrain, i love your nickname, inspired!!!!

It was directed at LP74 and Ang22 and they were who I was having the conversation with.

freddysteddy apology accepted.

I am pretty well educated to degree level and have a very demanding 'specialist' role at work in the health service so to be called thick was not very nice. All forgotten now though .

I'm afraid I still really don't know what to do for the best. I am so befuddled. DH thinks I'm mad and that we should just carry on as before, esp as DD2 is 6 months old now, so not newborn (she was BF for 4 months).

I agree with ohidoliketobebesidethe, does anyone actually follow the guidelines that strictly? How can you with a baby?! My DD is pretty regular with her feed times, but not always, and also, with a toddler to contend with too, and a house to run, my life is very busy without having to think about it all day long, IYSWIM. It's bad enough having ti wash and sterilise the bottles anyway let alone what the guidelines suggest.

I was thinking of changing to making up the feeds, adding the powder to about 4oz of water when water hot (not boiling) then storing in the fridge. Then when DD needs feeding add boiled water to make up the 8oz and warm milk at the same time. What do people think, does this sound like a good compromise, IYSWIM? Still not convinced cos the side of the formula tin says not to store made up feeds.

TBH, I still feel that these guidelines, as a lot of other things, are there to protect companies from litigation.

We are told we shouldn't use baby bouncers cos it's bad for their hips, but people still do, and not to use baby walkers cos it can make them toe walkers, but people still do (not me cos being a physio, all things musculoskeletal must be followed...I also have a very good friend who's a specilaist paed physio...she'd kill me if I did!!! ).

I also would like to say that I personally would take note of what notsoserious has to say as she is highly qualified in biochemistry.....

LP it is difficult isn't it, My MW suggested doing it with making up and thens toring 3 bottles at a time as she knows what it is like with a screaming baby in the middle of the night waiting for everything to be ready.

VS, I appreciate it says it's best not to, but there is no way I can make up my feeds as I go, just not practical. I think the risk is infinitesimally small and that as long as all other hygeine precautions are observed fastidiously then we'll be fine.

CalE, thanks!

LP74, in answer to your question - no, I don't know anyone who follows the guidelines to make up as you go along. Who could? I agree with you about the guidelines being over zealous.

I follow the guidelines to make up as you go along. Did it with my first child, am currently doing it with the second, who is a month old.

Except...I don't let the water cool down before I make up the bottle. I checked with the manufacturer, and they told me this cooling period is only so I don't scald myself with boiling water. Well, I manage to make a cup of tea without scalding myself, so I figure I can take the risk with a bottle.

So I boil the kettle, make the bottle, then cool it. Takes about 10 mins. Yes, the baby screams for that time.

Right then.This is my plan of action....
Does anybody know of a very fast boiling kettle i could buy for the daytime feeds?Then i'm buying the cartons for the nightime feeds!

www.amazon.co.uk/Tefal-Quick-Cup-Water-Seconds/dp/B000SK9G52

And then there's the boiling water on plastic issue!