Cold formula feeding

[BabyB19]

We have been making our babies bottles up by boiling water, measuring it out in bottles and having 4 made for through the day and then again same for the night. We don't warm the water back up when she is ready for a feed as she has always had it cold so we put the powder in the cold water and shake and that's her feed. It's super easy and she takes it no problem but a friend has told us we should be warming the water again before making it. Has anyone else done it our way or are we going to have to start heating them? It seems silly to make more work when she takes it cold?

The formula powder should be added to water of at least 70c. It’s to kill any bacteria in the powder. I think you can add a smaller amount of hot water and mix it up then top up with cold water so it’s ready to drink.

That's what I've just read on one site then another says different. Thanks for the reply @Betsyboo87 it's going to be a faff when we've never bothered for 6 weeks haha

You should be adding the formula powder to boiling water not cold (as per the instructions on the can). Formula powder can contain nasty bacteria and the boiling water (or water over 70 degrees) kills that.

It's fine to give cold formula if that's your babies preference, it won't do them any harm but it should have been made with boiling water first then chilled quickly and stored in the fridge.

The fact that you weren't taught how to make bottles safely is really concerning.

@BabyB19

We have been making our babies bottles up by boiling water, measuring it out in bottles and having 4 made for through the day and then again same for the night. We don't warm the water back up when she is ready for a feed as she has always had it cold so we put the powder in the cold water and shake and that's her feed. It's super easy and she takes it no problem but a friend has told us we should be warming the water again before making it. Has anyone else done it our way or are we going to have to start heating them? It seems silly to make more work when she takes it cold?

This is what we did, we were told by the HV that cool boiled water is ok for 24 hours so we boiled the kettle, let cool for 30mins then measured into bottles and added formula to the room temp formula and fed.

Yes I know I will be told this is wrong but it is what we did

There are 2 different issues.

From a safety perspective you should always make the bottles up with hot water.

Feeding a baby cooked, cold or warm formula is preference.

We did this for DD2 and it was a dream, never being in a panic trying to warm a bottle up when we're out. We started this when DD2 was a few days old. We did realize that she never liked cold (straight of out of the fridge) formula; it always had to be room temperature.

@SnuggyBuggy

The fact that you weren't taught how to make bottles safely is really concerning.

It is isn't it .

Its because it ion say formula no one shows any interest or offers any support in your feeding .

Your baby may prefer it, but you do realise what you're doing is dangerous, right?

Guidance is constantly changing so please don't feel bad.

I used to make mine the same way as you and my DC were fine.

Having said that, it would be good practice to follow current guidance, as there will be sound reason behind it.

The fact that you werent taught how to make bottles safely is really concerning When I asked about formula feeding at ante-natal classes I got told, 'the instructions are on the tin'. Then they carried on ramming breastfeeding at everyone. Its annoying, considering despite the best will in the world, some mothers (myself included) end up not being able to breastfeed.

OP a way around it is to keep some cooled, boiled water in the fridge. When baby wants a feed you add some freshly boiled water to the formula powder, then make up the rest of the feed with the cooled boiled water to the temp you want it to be. Not that much more of a faff!

Who gets taught how to make bottles??
OP, I used to make up complete bottles in advance, dc never minded them cold. I never just did theater though, as pps said, you need to add the formula to boiling water.

Boiled not boiling!

We did the cooled boiled water in the fridge.
Then made up a 6oz bottle with 3oz boiling water, add powder, shake, then add 3oz cool boiled water from fridge.

@Itwasaquarterpast11

Who gets taught how to make bottles?? OP, I used to make up complete bottles in advance, dc never minded them cold. I never just did theater though, as pps said, you need to add the formula to boiling water.

This is what we did too - I'd make three at a time and chill then quickly. Alternatively, I'd recommend a perfect prep machine which makes up bottles in a minute or two.

@Itwasaquarterpast11

Who gets taught how to make bottles?? OP, I used to make up complete bottles in advance, dc never minded them cold. I never just did theater though, as pps said, you need to add the formula to boiling water.

I did but sounds like I was lucky as had to stay in hospital for a few days and the midwives on the ward were great when breastfeeding wasn't working and showed me how to do it all - although we do use ready to drink formula rather than the powder. More expensive but saves any worry about making them up which helps keep my head slightly calmer 😂

Make them all up in one go, so 24 hours worth, properly- I.e add the formula to boiled eater over 70degrees. Cool all the bottles quickly in water and put in the back of the fridge. When baby is hungry just put it in the microwave for 20sec or so to stop it being very cold: give it w shake to get rid of hot spots and takes 20sec

We make them up fully for the day with boiling water and powder then put in the fridge - 30 seconds in microwave (or room temp if out) quick swill to ensure no hotspots (30 secs just takes the fridge edge off - isn't super hot) and bobs your uncle - no need for perfect prep or faffing about, she's 10 months now and we've done this since she was 4 weeks no issues. Lots of varying advice, do what you feel comfortable with and agree - no helpful advice given from anyone unless a human tit is involved!

Guidance is constantly changing so please don't feel bad.
It's not constantly changing, the instructions on making up formula safely have been on the tins and NHS advice for at least nine years (as far as I can remember).
I think part of the problem is that because there is an emphasis on "breast is best" parents who make a choice to formula feed don't really get any consistent advice from health professionals, therefore they do as their mum/friend/sister did years ago as 'it never did their babies any harm'.

I just think all parents should know about e sakazakii and the need for powder to be added to water at least 70C.

Giving people a long winded method for making up feeds with no rationale has been an epic fail.

I don't live in UK and guidance is different here.This is both the info from health professionals and from the formula tins. Here it specifically says to add formula to water no hotter than 40 degrees. We live in a good water area so I was told just to fill a jug of cold tap water and let it sit at room temperature then use it as needed for bottles. If we were travelling or staying elsewhere to boil water before putting it in jug then use it once cooled. We were taught how to make up bottles before leaving the maternity hospital. When I asked our pediatrician about the different guidance for formula. He said that the UK way almost eliminates risk but the risk is so very small anyway. Plus unless the bottles are completely sterile and prepared in a sterile environment (not possible in a house) then there's always a tiny risk anyway.

It makes me sad that your main concern is "it's going to be a faff when we've never bothered for 6 weeks" rather than the safety of feeding your baby

@Headspinner2020 obviously not that's why I'm asking. Unhelpful.

@mrsmummy1111 again unhelpful. My priority is that my baby is full and healthy. Not that it's a faff. My point was, is there a Point to the extra faff or is it ok to do what I'm doing. But thanks for making a brand new mum feel like complete shit today 👍🏼

It's been 8 years since I last made formula bottles but we used to make 3/4 bottles at a time , made with slightly cooled boiled water,added the formula and then popped in the fridge when cooled. We would warm in the microwave when needed as we never fed a cold bottle. Everyone I know does/did the same .