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Original poster

making up formula milk

64 replies

Spandangle · 21/03/2011 16:28

i have just read on another thread that you should always make up formula milk using boiled water at a temperature of at least 70C. otherwise there is a risk of salmonella (I think) from the milk powder
Ive never done this! I often use boiled water that is completely cold, or room temperature at least.

what does everyone else do?

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finallywearenoone · 23/03/2011 21:40

So, if you fill the bottle with boiled/recently boiled water, then let it cool, keep it in fridge, but heat it back up in a microwave when needed (within say 12/24 hours, to 70 degrees), then add formula. Are you still adamant that is dangerous?

RitaMorgan · 23/03/2011 21:45

I'm not sure if there is an issue with reheating the water, as it does say you should boil fresh water each time.

SnapFrakkleAndPop · 24/03/2011 05:01

The boil fresh is because reboiling increases the concentration of minerals in the water. So every time you boil tje kettle with water left in it the water gets more concentrated. Microwaving is probably okay but you run the risk of hot spots, you'd still need a method of rapid cooling (which is why personally I like the half/half method) and you'd need to test the water to make sure it was 70C throughout. Not sure how it's quicker than boiling a kettle unless you're out and have access to a microwave but not a kettle.

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Flossie69 · 24/03/2011 08:06

What I am now confused about is - is it ok to use just boiled water ie much hotter than 70 degrees?

TheSugarPlumFairy · 24/03/2011 10:20

flossie69, yes it is ok to use just boiled water. There was a suggestion that using just boiled water would denature the proteins in the powder and render the milk less nutritious but recent studies have shown this not to be the case. THe only nutrient that is adversly affected is the vitamin C which was not thought to be an issue. Also, you might find that the powder clumps a bit more with freshly boiled water. I use a clean spoon to give it a really good stir and dont have any problems with clumps.

THere is a link floating around for the study i refer too. Will see if i can find it and will post it. Am presently at work and shouldnt even be on MN so will be back in a bit.

HTH.

Bonners · 30/03/2011 19:07

OMG. bump!
I have been using cooled water for 6 months and read this just before a feed. I gave him a carton of ready-made and will start preparing formula the right way from now on.
Thanks for the heads up everyone!

saralyn · 30/03/2011 19:50

Hi guys.
I've no experience with formula, but wanted to let you know that it's possible to buy a kettle with different temperature setting.

One of the settings is 80 degrees, which should be perfect, because by the time you've poured the water into the bottle and left it a few minutes, it'll be 70 degrees, i would think.

found one here www.amazon.co.uk/Bosch-Collection-Twk8633gb-Temperature-Stainless/dp/B003ZHVAJA

A bit pricy, but should save hassle?

yummumto3girls · 30/03/2011 21:42

I think the issue of using cooled boiled water is a historical thing. I have 3 DD's ranging from 10yrs to 17 months. With the oldest that was the way it was taught (if it was taught at all), so for those of us with older children there would be no reason to assume that making up formula would be any different with subsequent children. I did not feel the need to study the box again to learn how to make it. I must admit I got my knickers in a twist over all of this when DD3 was born as I didn't realise until she was several months old that the guidance had changed. I was BF with one bottle at night so not a huge issue. I could not get my head around it all. The guidance does say making it up with boiled water and then putting in fridge is acceptable so in early days when time is of the essence it has been pre made, rapidly cooled and stored, ready for reheating. When baby gets older and you can more readily predict feeds you can make as needed. When out and about I always took a thermos and a carton.

I do agree with other posters, I am gobsmacked that health visitors don't inform new mums about all of this, it has got so caught up with the "breast is best" debate that they are too frightened to advise on making up formula.

MmeLindt · 31/03/2011 23:57

Saralyn
I had a similar kettle to that one and it was great. It held the temperature at 70°C, so I would boil the kettle about an hour before I was likely to need it.

I think that they are sold for preparing green tea properly.

Thingiebob · 01/04/2011 00:09

None of the mums I know make up their formula using hot water. They all think I am strange for doing this. They laugh and explain to me slowly that it says clearly on the tin to leave the water to cool for 30 mins...

Frustrating isn't it?

MmeLindt · 01/04/2011 00:15

Thingie
You just have to do as you know is best.

My DD will be 9yo this month and desperate to go into a normal booster seat (without the back) because all her friends are. IMO, they are not as safe so she will be staying in her "baby seat" as long as possible. No matter what anyone else says.

JarethTheGoblinKing · 01/04/2011 00:22

The correct way to make up formula is by following the instructions on the side of the carton.

Personally, in order of importance, these are the things you MUST do.

Make up formula with freshly boiled water (wait 20 mins after boiling the kettle)
If you are making up bottles to keep for up to 24 hours they MUST be sterilised, and they must spend as little time between 70C and 5C as possible. Place them in ice cold water for 20 mins to rapidly cool.
If you do decide to make up bottle with cooled-boiled water then it's for immediate (or near as you can manage) consumption.

I personally think that if you sterilise bottles, and make up formula according to the instructions (i.e. over 70C) and cool them quickly, then they are fine in the back of the fridge for 24 hours.

JarethTheGoblinKing · 01/04/2011 00:23

sarahlyn - I want that kettle, just for making proper green tea! How useful? thank you

Bonners · 02/04/2011 19:09

I have to admit that since I found out I was making my bottles the wrong way yesterday I have found the faff of boiling the water, remembering to go back 30 minutes later and make up a bottle in between washing bottles, sterilising bottles, nappy changes, crying, pureeing food, doing the laundry, having a shower, going to the toilet, playing with DS, getting dressed, getting DS dressed, feeding DS solids, putting DS down for a nap etc. just WAY TOO F*ING DIFFICULT. I have switched to the ready made cartons and have sworn off formula powder.

We have worked it out and there isn't much difference in cost. I originally didn't like the idea of the environmental cost of all those cartons but I have decided that my sanity trumps the polar bears. Sorry.

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