Making up formula in protein drink shaker cup/bottle?

[treewithtriplets]

I'm trying to work out a simple way to prepare formula feeds for my triplets - am using ready to feed atm as have got myself all scared about doing formula wrong!

So would really appreciate views on whether it would be ok to use one of those cups that gym people make up their protein shakes in, to make up a feed for all 3 babies at once, which I'll then decant into individual bottles. Would sterilise mixing bottle and feeding bottle obvs. Would like to make up the feed a couple of hours in advance (eg make up next feed after finishing current feed) and store in fridge.

Feels like would save faff measuring 3 amounts of water and powder - just do all at once and decant.

What do you think anyone? Sound safe?!

Thank you!

Hi Tree!
Sorry if this isn't helpful but have you looked in to buying a tommee tippee perfect prep machine.
It's supposed to make prep supervquick and easy and has great reviews.
At the moment it's £84 on amazon which sounds a bargain for all the use you would get!!

Depends on your formula re the prepping in advance - to be honest you're better off making up by putting half the required amount of water in at boiling temp (to sterilise formula), adding powder then topping up with pre-boiled cold water to recommended levels. I don't see an issue with making in a bigger bottle though.

Thank you for the speedy replies both! That prep machine thing looks great, and would def save money in long run over ready to feed formula... Hmm... And that method of making up formula with only half the water boiling, so effectively cooling the formula mix from inside rather than sitting the bottle in cold water, that's a brilliant idea. Hmm again! Really good that making up in a bigger bottle isn't necessarily a problem. Best get myself to a bodybuilding shop to pick up a protein shake bottle to try it out! Thank you again both!

I would buy the perfect prep. It was a lifesaver for me and I only had one. You'll be able to make 3 bottles safely and easily in 6 minutes.

I'd also get a few of these so you can measure out formula in advance

www.amazon.co.uk/Munchkin-Powdered-Formula-Dispenser-Colors/dp/B0009ET94A

I've got a perfect prep machine it's the best thing invented definitely worth the money it takes no time at all to make a bottle up (probably 3-4 min to make up 3 bottles )

We paid £60 for our PP. I can't wait to use it!

I don't think I've seen a bad word about perfect prep so far! It does feel a better option than pre-making and refrigerating. Still struggling to justify the outlay tbh, but can you put a price on formula-related sanity with newborn triplets?!

Congrats on your triplets? Are they on nutriprem? If so you can get ready made on prescription as the formula can make babies constipated. I mix fed my twins and GP was happy to prescribe 160 bottles a month. It made things so much easier.

I have never used the perfect prep ( they sound fab though) but always made up bottles by using boiling water to sterilise the formula and then topping up with some pre boiled water that had then cooled and been kept in a flask like others have described. If I wAs you with triplets though think I'd buy the prep machine if you can afford it

Years ago when I was a student my family placement was with triplets we made formula in bulk and decanted it the heated as we went. The biggest problems I had was when you make one bottle you count to 5 or 6 or so but when you are making 3 or 6 at once the numbers are larger and more likely to lose count. I know they don't recommend storing feed in the fridge and then reheating them but that is how it was always done and I think with 3 babies it is easier as you can make the feed up when they sleep or when you have help. I can remember making a whole days worth up.

The pp machine does sound like a good buy but I wonder how great it would be when you are trying to do feed for 3 babies at the same time.

Thanks for the congrats! The bubs are just on normal formula, scbu just told me that they come off nutriprem once they hit 37wks. So no prescription formula for us unfortunately (well fortunately I suppose really, better that they're old and well enough for normal formula)

I feel like a lazy bugger wanting to go for the perfect prep, because the method several of you have talked about here is just the same as the machine does obviously! But the more I think about it the more excited I get about it, sadly enough! We're feeding two together and one separately after so I don't need to make 3 at same time, though I know making 2 at same time will still take time, suspect it may not save me much time over pouring out ready made and warming it in pot of hot water - but hopefully will recoup cost of machine in saving on ready made bottles! And will take up less space in kitchen - I've currently got a square metre of counter space covered in ready made bottles, which can't continue in a flat this size!

I third, fourth, fifth the perfect prep machine! I makes up to 11oz in one go, I believie but I would have to go check and I have just got my lo back to sleep so won't get up now for anything lol! So you could make a large amount and then decant. Or just make three to, it makes the milk body temp which is ideal and it makes them in less than 2 mins. Seriously super quick and it takes up hardly any space, the only downside is the beeps it makes, when it is done.

Used to make it in a 1 litre measuring jug, stir then pour into individual bottles. Used to make 24 hours worth each night, for the fridge.

I didn't have the perfect prep for #1 as just did the half boiling/half cool method but for #2 I'm going to treat myself for the ppm. Mainly to make night feeds less of a faff! If I had 3 I'd definitely say it was money well spent!

Nutriprem is normally used until six month corrected age.
I would make up bottles for the day and store them in the fridge personally. Six minutes is a long time if all three babies want feeding at once.

Hm that's interesting about nutriprem 2 - I'm waiting again for a callback from scbu doc to check, but from various hospital fact sheets I've found online (not my hospital unfortunately) np2 isn't needed if babies are growing well by discharge, so I suppose my babies fitted that description maybe! Will def check though - thanks for the tip!

Use the ppm to make up bottles, then store them in the fridge? Get the machine!!!!!! You've enough on your hands with 3 babies!

Op that's not true if your babies were born weighing less than 2k it should be carried on even if they are doing well on discharge.
www.ipswichhospital.nhs.uk/a-zofservices/Documents/PatientInformation/Feeding%20Your%20Premature%20Baby%20After%20Discharge%20From%20Hospital.pdf

I would just make up bottles and store in fridge. It does say on side on milk that this can be done safely. They just need to be kept refrigerated until needed and thrown after 24hrs. Hence you can't do this as easily going out as not kept cold enough

Get 15 bottles. Make up all so you have 5 feeds each. Make correctly with boiled water over 70 degrees to kill any bacteria in formula powder. Then once lids on stand all in sink filled with an inch of cold water so they are cooled quickly, and put all in fridge.

Stand 3 bottles in a Tupperware box with hot water in to warm up before using.

I wouldn't use the prep machine tbh. I have heard a few people have had problems with the correct measures given, and they don't actually say how hot the water is, some say it's only 50 degrees on hitting powder not 70+.

Also if you have x3 it's easier having all three warming at once or available if you have enough hands.

I would still take ready made formula out with you for now. X2 small cartons should be enough for 3 whilst small each feed

Another recommendation for you, once babies are slightly bigger, you can feed all three at once by sitting on the floor cross legged. Then lay babies heads on your legs with them facing you ( so their body is laying on floor). Put the two best feeders next to each other on one leg and you can balance both bottles up with one hand, then other baby on other leg to feed with other hand

Oh and here is the link from the world health organisation saying it's fine to refrigerate. It basically says of course making each one as you go is ideal, but it's safes to store for 24hrs as long as you have a fridge. Info on this is a few pages down after how to prep bottle safely

www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/micro/PIF_Bottle_en.pdf

Perfect prep has been ordered and I'll pretty much rip the postie's arm off with delight when it's delivered! Well actually it's coming via yodel so I might rip more than the arm off, depending how yodel-ish the delivery is!

For past 2 days I've been making up powder with half-ish amount of boiling water, and topping up with cooled boiled water from flask in fridge. So basically being a human perfect prep, as other posters have said! But I've only been doing it for one triplet, keeping the others on ready-made. and even at that it's a bit of a hassle making sure i have cooled boiled water ready, measuring out water in one bottle and pouring into feeding bottle etc. so I can tell that the pp, though stupidly priced, will make life easier! And I'll take whatever I can get at this stage!

Thanks for the views everyone, it really helped having so many of you telling me to go for it as the extremeness of triplet feeding warrants buying time saving luxuries if you can afford it! Xx

Yay! Good on you for treating yourself and enjoy the product.
I am only expecting one but if bf doesn't work out I will be buying that machine ASAP!

Haha, you know life has changed when treating yourself means buying a bottle feed prep machine, rather than an amazing new dress or nice wine! Those pesky babies!

Good luck with your lo Amy!