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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

really cross about lack of info on Bottle feeding

42 replies

carbooty · 01/08/2009 20:16

I had my DS 2 nearly 3 weeks ago, and not being able to breast feed was sure I would get the help and advice I would need to safely bottle feed. But have been really saddened at how little info there is about how to bottle feed.

I have found it very frustrating trying to work out the best way of doing it. And haven't really found any support with information on what is right/safe or not.

We are sterilising, then filling four bottles of freshly boiled water to aquired amount. Then leaving them out on the side until required, by which time the water has cooled. We then just add the powder and give to baby at room temp, which he doesn't mind.

Is this okay??

OP posts:
pigletmania · 01/08/2009 20:20

well thats the way i used to do it and my dd has always been fine. I just filled a jug with freshy boiled water, allowed it to cool than when needed would scoop in the right amout of formula to water ratio then either heated it in mirowave or bottle warmer. hope that this helps.

AnarchyAunt · 01/08/2009 20:21

Its not what the latest guidelines recommend, no.

What you are supposed to do is make each bottle when it is required with water that has boiled no more than 30 minutes ago. This is because the water need to be over 70 degrees to kill any bacteria in the powder as it is not a sterile product.

NHS bottlefeeding leaflet

mummiesnet · 01/08/2009 20:23

You could always keep the cooled boiled water to one side then use just an ounce of fresh boiled water to mix with the powder, then add the cooled boiled to bring the temp down though.

Tocky · 01/08/2009 20:26

The correct guidelines are on the packet, aren't they?

Olihan · 01/08/2009 20:27

The instructions for how to make a bottle according to the latest, safest guidelines are on the back of the formula tubs.

Following those is the best way of doing it as they are based on the most recently available information on formula safety.

What does it say to do on the back of your tub?

pigletmania · 01/08/2009 20:40

Than it will be too hot for the baby too take, all very well when you have a screaming baby who wants milk now, not in 30 mins time.

pigletmania · 01/08/2009 20:41

If i have to ff again i will just do what i did before. NHS guidelines are always changing, frist the say wean at 4 months, now its 6.

AnarchyAunt · 01/08/2009 20:44

To cool it quickly you can run it under the cold tap.

You don't have to do it that way if you don't want to. But the guidelines about the water temp. are important as the powder is not a sterile product. It can have bacterial contamination that has been fatal for some babies.

Original poster
carbooty · 01/08/2009 20:44

It says make them up as you need them, which I do not find easy as my baby wants a bottle every 2 hours at times, and after having to feed for anything up 30 mins plus the time to sterilise and make up a feed one at a time I found myself constantly feeding him, which is no good when you have an impatient toddler!!

I have been doing it this way from advice from the HV, she didn't mention anything about killing bugs in the formula!!

AA I took a look at the NHS sheet and there is a small bit that says if you need a bottle for later you can store cooled boiled water in a flask.

OP posts:
Original poster
carbooty · 01/08/2009 20:46

Where would the info be on what temp the formula needs to be?

OP posts:
mummiesnet · 01/08/2009 20:48

Can you buy cartons of ready made formula until your baby slows down a bit?

AnarchyAunt · 01/08/2009 20:49

The guidelines are evidence based.

There is a chance that harmful bacteria may be present in formula powder as it is not made under sterile conditions. To make sure any bacteria in the powder are killed, the water needs to be above 70 degrees when a feed is prepared.

If you don't want to do it that way then don't. Nobody is forcing you to. Its fine if you make the informed decision that speed and ease of preparation is more important than preventing the (admittedly small) risk of bacterial contamination.

But OP is confused, and asked for the information. Now OP can make an informed decision.

AnarchyAunt · 01/08/2009 20:52

Food Standards Agency advice

AnarchyAunt · 01/08/2009 20:54

Oh and the NHS leaflet says you can put boiling water onto a flask to use later. That should stay hot enough for hours.

Original poster
carbooty · 01/08/2009 20:57

I am using a hydrolysed milk as my DD had a cows milk allergy and we are waiting to have my DS trialled at hospital so the ready made stuff is no good at the mo either.

AA, of course I am concerned about my baby getting sick - which is why I asked the question in the first place. I just have never seen any mention on the info I have found about temp formula needs to be made?!?

This is the reason why I started this tread in the first place.

OP posts:
Olihan · 01/08/2009 20:58

OP, what formula are you using?

hambo · 01/08/2009 21:02

I cant believe that you are not getting the milk you need prescribed if your baby is only 3 weeks old. I would go back to the doctors and kick up a stink.

Original poster
carbooty · 01/08/2009 21:02

I feel all of these links or leaflets should have been given to me before I left hospital or in my antenatal appts. I could have been making my child really unwell all this time. It is just not good enough!!!

Not everyone can or wants to breast feed and we should be as supported as much as breast feeders grrrrr.....

OP posts:
AnarchyAunt · 01/08/2009 21:03

The FSA advice explains why temperature is important.

So does the Health Promotion Agency leaflet and the NCT advice

I agree that the formula manufacturers should make this risk clear on the packet so that parents understand why its important. Lack of information is disempowering for parents who want to make the best decisions and can be dangerous for babies.

Original poster
carbooty · 01/08/2009 21:05

Oli, we are using Nutramigen.

Hambo, Are you crossing posts?? I have a seperate thread under Allergies.

OP posts:
hambo · 01/08/2009 21:06

Yes sorry!

AnarchyAunt · 01/08/2009 21:07

I think you should ask your HV why she does not understand the latest guidance on preparation of formula feeds - it is part of her job to know this sort of thing!

Mothers who are leaving hospital FF should be shown individually how to prepare a feed safely, absolutely.

pooka · 01/08/2009 21:07

Fair enough that the tin tells you to make feeds up as you need them. It should be saying a whole lot more about why feeds should be made this way, and at what temperature, to ensure that bugs are killed.

Your HV should also be up to date with the guidance and the (IMO) valid reasoning behind it.

thisisyesterday · 01/08/2009 21:14

carbooty, are the instructions for preparing the formula not on the packaging of it????

oi'd be surprised if it doesn't say on the tin how to prepare it

Original poster
carbooty · 01/08/2009 21:21

It does tell you the basics, but doesn't tell you about temps etc...

I spoke to the HV because I was struggling making up a bottle at a time.

OP posts:
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