sterilisation

[Chants73]

I had intended to breast feed but after various complications I won't go in, I have discovered that whilst my baby latches well etc he has not been able to draw off any milk. I am still attching him to breast etc but also pumping to try to increase supply. I have had to do a crash course in formula feeding and sterilisation since oming home from hospital at lunctime and a questions i cannot find answers to.

If I sterilise bottles in microwave, and then put formula in them and then put them in the fridge is this safe as long as we use the milk within 24 hours?

thanks

that was supposed to say "complications I won't go into"

Can anyone advise as I have the same query re EBM? Thanks.

That used to be the way we did it, but a few years ago they decide the formula powder wasnt sterile and now advise that you make each bottle as you need it using water thats been boiled once only and left for 30 minutes to cool (it will be approx 70 degrees)as this kills the bacteria, the milk should then be cooled under cold running water , its very impractical in my opinion and I still use the old method of sterilising 6 bottles and making the feeds with fresh boiled water (I do leave it for the 30 minutes so it will kill the bacteria when I make the feed) and keeping them in the fridge for a maximum of 24 hours as thats how I've done with my 6 other kids my health visitor has told me this is fine.

Other mums refridgerate the bottles with just water in them and add the powder when its needed (not recommended as the forumla is never heated to the recomended 70 degrees), other mums put in half the amount of water and keep it in the fridge till its needed then add the other half of the water from a freshly boiled kettle (so the water is hot but not boiling and takes less cooling) and then add the formula. This still sounds complicated to me and as I say, health visitor has told me that my way is still ok!

I keep the bottles in the fridge with just the water and add the powder as and when needed. My reason for this is for when I want to go out. If the bottles were of milk, how would I keep that chilled temp ensure minimal bacteria growth iyswim.
Because the bottles are just water, i feel more comfortable having them in my bag, getting to room temp and then adding powder and either feeding at room temp or warmimg.

Have you read the current government guidlines on preparing formula? They say that as the powder isn't sterile, it should be added to water above 70 degrees and you should cool down instead of warm up.
Although they also say now you shouldn't put boiling water directly into bottles due to whatever chemical it is they now think is harmful, so not really sure what you're supposed to do. All gets a bit confusing doesn't it?