Confused about Baby milk/formula

[Pea2019]

Hi

Sorry if this sounds really stupid.

I’m hoping to breastfeed but I’m fully aware that it may not be possible so trying to work out how formula works!

I thought you had to make the milk with hot kettle water and let cool (which could take ages), but I’ve seen online that you can also pre-make some and leave in fridge and warm up when needed (within 24hrs). Warming up may be quicker than waiting for the kettle water to cool down.

But then I also read you can get pre-made formula which you can just serve into a sterilised bottle at room temperature. I really thought the milk had to be hot/warm.

As a first time mum to be i’d like to do the easiest solution as I imagine i’ll have enough to worry about.

Can anyone offer some advice on what they find best?

Thank you

Pre made ends up being expensive in the long run but was a blessing in the first few months and when travelling.

Honestly. Just get a Perfect Prep machine if you're formula feeding. I didn't for three months and the day i got it was a revelation and it's one of the few baby gadgets i think is worth the money

When you make up the formula you need to use water above 70 degrees to "sterilise" the formula powder. You can then cool it to drinking temp and serve it warm, or cool it completely and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours, then either serve cold or warm it depending on your babies preference.
As long as it's made with very hot water, the temp at which baby drinks it doesn't matter.

When I used premade I still warmed it up by warming the bottle in a jug of hot water for a few minutes.

I bf my first child but ended up having to ff my second. I was baffled.

Thoroughly recommend the Start4life bottle feeding leaflet online. And if you do end up having to FF buy a perfect prep machine. Absolute godsend. I got mine of Facebook marketplace for £20

Pre made is fine at room temperature but some babies will insist on a warm bottle if it’s what they’re used to, for example, if you’re using powder for feeds at home but the cartons when out for the day. They are very handy but expensive so most people don’t use them at every feed.

I think it’s recommended that every bottle is made fresh rather than in advance but this isn’t particularly practical. If you end up formula feeding then I’d definitely recommend a perfect prep machine.

Yy the premade formula is expensive, handy for when out & about/visiting.
My dd got the perfect prep machine & she is the same as pp was a revelation, but must admit I was a little suspicious of it but they do seem very popular.
When I used to make bottles up, I would use boiling water & cool down quickly in a sink of cold water, then transfer to back of the fridge if any unused after twenty four hours the formula was then tipped away.
I used to warm them up in a jug, but some babies don’t like warm milk & prefer it room temperature, one of mine refused to take formula warm.

Perfect Prep machine - I wish they had been around when my DC’s were little. I’ve bought several as presents for friends and family having their first baby and they have appreciated how much easier it has made feeding time.

Pre-made milk is pricey - I used to keep a few for longer days out because it’s easy to just pour straight into the bottle and it’s good to go. Doesn’t need to be warm.

The official guidelines is to make up using boiled water, cooled for a bit so when you make up the bottle and shake it it doesn’t fizz too much and you don’t scold yourself (I used boiling water straight away without cooling - just be careful with it.) Then leave to cool in a bowl of cold water to get the right temp. (On the box it says to run under cold water - but that seems like a hideous waste of water to me.)

As DC got older I relaxed a bit - I would keep some bottles made up in the fridge and warm them up, or use a splash of boiling water to sterilise the powder and then top up with cold water to get it the right temperature straight away.

I mixed fed, so it wasn’t too much hassle. If I could do it all again, I would just get a prep machine

Another perfect Prep fan. And we had an electric steriliser too. Tech exists for a reason sometimes!

Ready made is good for out and about or if you're on a weekend away but it works out pretty expensive otherwise.

But if you plan on bf anyway I would just get a few bottles of ready made for just in case - invest in a prep machine if it turns out you need it.

As above, premade stuff is expensive- you could easily get through £5+ in a day.

And as above, you need to sterilise the formula with hot water but can then add cool boiled water to have the feed ready very quickly. That's exactly what the Perfect Prep machine does (only adds filtered water and not boiled). Or refrigerate and reheat.

Room temp is ok but the baby will get used to a particular temperature. If you want to take formula to hospital, there are boxes of made up formula in sterilised disposable bottles available. They're ready to use straight away.

If you do FF I agree with others that a perfect prep machine makes it so much easier! You can buy them second hand, but check the pipes inside when you buy, if the previous owner hasn't used the correct filters there could be a build up in there. Premade was great in the first few weeks for us, but we bought a cheap bottle warmer as she wouldn't drink it cold or room temp.

These are NOT official guidelines but it’s what I did - twice
Every evening boil kettle and make up (up to ) 6 bottles as per tub instructions using boiled water cooled slightly in the kettle.
Let cool out of the fridge for about an hour. Put in the fridge
When baby wants a bottle microwave in 10 second bursts and shake gently. Test on back of hand
If going out out a bottle in a cool bag (can get ones for bottles specifically) and then take out about an hour before it’s due. I sometimes used to pop one down my cleavage to warm up to body temp or get a jug of hot wanted in a cafe or similar.
The ready made formula is expensive but I used it for the first month or so both times and when travelling. You can actually get some tiny bottles of milk with sterilised teat attached as well, I took this to hospital with me
As I said, not guidelines now

They no longer recommend making them up before hand, some of the formulas actually split so can’t say that’d be good/safe. We got a prep in the sale takes 2 minutes and it’s at the right temp straight away.

Premades more expensive n fine for out but I think it’s creamier/sweeter whenever I’ve used it ds inhaled it like his life depends on it but quite happily paces himself on regular powder.. he’s also never cared if it’s hot or not.

Before talking about formula, just a thought...have a google for breastfeeding nhs support in your local area. We have a specialist team who are fantastic and free of charge. You are doing the right thing by figuring this all out now while you have the time and brain clarity, just thought it's worth finding out where the support is so you can do all you can, if breastfeeding is your first choice.

Re making bottles, there are 2 very important aspects of making formula feeds:

1. the powder must be in contact with water that is at least 70degrees Celsius as it can contain bacteria that can make your baby poorly.

2. Put the water into the bottle before the powder. The powder will displace the water, so you could end up with feeds that are not the correct proportion of water to powder which can put a strain on baby's electrolytes etc. So adding eg 5scoops of powder to 5ozs of water will result in more than 5ozs of milk iyswim.

Also if using a perfect prep machine, follow the manufacturer's maintenance guidelines to the letter. There was a hoohah about their safety as babies were becoming unwell, but research showed that parents had not been maintaining the machines properly. Just think stagnant water, unchanged filters, babies vulnerable tummies etc. 🤢

And dont forget to wash bottles before sterilising them, one of my new mum friends was disgusted at her faulty steriliser...until conversation made us realise she wasnt washing her bottles first! Seems so obvious to most but some seem to miss that step.

By the way, congratulations on your pregnancy, wishing you all the best.

Agree with previous posts - use pre-made when you're out and about (my daughter doesn't mind it room temp) and buy a perfect prep for when you're at home. Definitely the best feeding purchase you will ever make, there are loads available second hand.

And don't worry about sounding stupid, I had zero clue about most things before I had my baby (still winging it... 😂)

Thank you all so much! Your advice is invaluable, i’ve been panicking all day worrying i’d be standing there for half hour with a screaming baby waiting for the bottle to cool! I think i’ll invest in a Perfect Prep but will wait until after i’ve tried breastfeeding first. If my boobs ever grow and produce milk that is

I don't think boob size has anything to do with milk production if that's your concern. As pp said, there's support available if you'd love to breast feed.
I do have to say, though, that it was fab to ff and take turns with DH to be on 'the night shift' so that I got some sleep too.

I too hoped to breastfeed but it didn't work out. I used the method that copies the perfect prep without having one.

For example for a 6oz bottle:

Add powder to bottle. Use second bottle to measure 2oz boiling water. Add to formula. Swirl to mix. Then add 4oz cooled boiled water. Swirl to mix.

This will ensure the formula is free of bacteria, whilst also having a bottle that is the perfect temperature to drink straight away.

You can also use this method for making bottles out and about. You have a separate pot with measured formula (can buy special pots designed for this), then a flask of boiling water, and a bottle of cooled boiled. Then your actual baby bottles.

I found when baby was having 4 bottles whilst out for the day this was a lot more cost effective. When it dropped to one bottle whilst out for the day I just brought the ready made bottles ☺️.

Also with this method, I had a kettle in my room. And then a tray with cooled boiled water, bottles and measured formula. I could make a bottle without even getting out of bed ☺️