making up formula

[Woofles]

Do you need to add formula to hot water? I'm filling up bottle in morning with boiling water and adding the formula in afternoon when the water is cold. my baby is 7 months and only just started on formula. Is this ok?

You can download the DoH leaflet on making up formula safely from here

They recommend adding formula powder to recently boiled water (ie, boiled in the last 30 minutes)

Thanks I;ll do that - and I thought I was being very organised.

Powdered formula is not sterile so it is very important to make up a feed with hot water (at least 70 degrees). The formula packs will give you instructions on how to use it- I would follow them.

How long is it safe then to keep the made up bottle? If, for example, we were going out for the day? I've been taking the water and powder separately as I thought that was safer and then mixing the feed. Better to take cooled already mixed bottle or hot water and mix it? I'm now worried I've been poisoning my baby!

put boiled water into bottles

then add powder as and when you need the feeds

if your baby likes warm milk, then warm the water first, either in a jug filled with boiling water or in a microwave

obv shake water well to insure not boiling in middle and test before giving to baby

then add powder

this way, if they do not take all the milk you can they reheat the bottle once,as the milk hasnt been heated - only the water

i find it easier to give babies bottles at room tempeture so that the powder can just be added to water and then feed

and you can feed anywhere and not need hot water/microwave to warm bottle

but some babies like warm milk

forgot to say, once powder and water have been mixed you should throw away after an hour to prevent bacteria

so you cant make up bottles in morning and then use in evening

But surely then if adding powder to room temp milk isn't killing bacteria in formula (potential bacteria). This is what I have been doing and now relise powder needs to be added to hot water and this makes traveling more akward! looks like may have to invest in ready made up formula

No, you shouldn't add to room temp water. When you are out and about try the ready made cartons (they are UHT treated so sterile) or take a thermos of boiling water. I've used both and the cartons are wonderfully handy but the thermos is fine too.

lol at sausages

i know what you are saying

see here and here

thing is guidelines change so much - bit like weaning at 4 mths as it was a few years ago and now they say 6mths - same as they used to say place baby on tummy and now dont etc

i have always made bottles up as described, but as i am a professional i discuss the new guidelines with the parents to see which way they want me to do it - never made a baby sick in 17years

basically to follow guide lines, you need to make sure water is at least 70*, and then add powder and then cool under running water - so if you are out you need to take a flask of hot water and obv have a tap to cool if bottle is too hot for baby

or at home boil the kettle 30mins before

the guidelines dont really help you if you dont want your baby to have to have warm bottles - it easier if they like room temp