Formula Feeding and how to prepare and store

[AA95]

Hi All.
First time mum here and really looking for some advice / help!
My Daughter is 17 days old. I've exclusive BF until day 15 where the cluster feeding and my supply just wasn't working so I've had to incorporate formula as a top up...
Now, making pre made bottles seems so confusing, so here's how I've done it and I would welcome and advice / tips

1. Wash bottles in soapy water
2. Put into steriliser, keeps sterile for 24 hours
3. Boil kettle, leave to cool for 15 -30 mins, add water and necessary formula powder to sterile bottles and shake to mix well.
4. Then I've ran under a cold tap and added the bottles to the fridge. (As long as used with 20 hours they are fine right? )

Now, this is what I've done, my LO has cried after 2 hours BF so I've used one of the bottles out the fridge to top her up, I've got the tomeetippee bottle warmer, so I've took the bottle out the fridge and put into the bottle warmer to a nice room temp, she's drank it fine BUT I've opened the bottle to throw away the rest as she's not finished it within the hour and it smells foul, Is this normal or have I buggered it up and given her off milk/ I'm panicking !

Please help! Xxx

I think the milk always has a horrid smell particularly if it's been sitting, even in the fridge. You have done nothing wrong. She will be fine. These first few months are rough when you totally second guess yourself. I actually gave my baby the wrong bottle and didn't realise till he was finished that I had picked up the bottle with some out it🤦🏻‍♀️He was fine😂😂

Sounds right to me. The formula always smells vile to me

I would pick up a perfect prep machine; they can be bought second hand for £10-15 and make the bottles to the right temperature in seconds

@Mrsmch123

I think the milk always has a horrid smell particularly if it's been sitting, even in the fridge. You have done nothing wrong. She will be fine. These first few months are rough when you totally second guess yourself. I actually gave my baby the wrong bottle and didn't realise till he was finished that I had picked up the bottle with some out it🤦🏻‍♀️He was fine😂😂

Oh thank goodness! It's all just one big blur still at the moment and still finding my feet so this is reassuring to say the least! Thanks so much! There's just so much info to take on you feel like your head is about to explode. !!! Thanks x

@Bells3032

Sounds right to me. The formula always smells vile to me

Yes I've read that they all have a smell but just wanted to check the steps I did were ok! Thanks so much for your help! Smelly formula it is then haha x

The milk doesn't smell very nice at all. I don't think you've done anything wrong. A health visitor would probably say you are wrong to make the milk up in advance but plenty of people do! I make the bottles up to the point where the milk hasn't been added and have them in the freezer. I also dunk them in Milton to soak before they go in the steriliser. But the perfect prep machine sounds great.

Fridge, not freezer!

I got a perfect prep machine because making bottles was a faff.
I was a bit worried as they have mixed reviews but having used one for a couple of months now, I wouldnt be without it. I just ensure that it has a thorough clean and the filters replaced at regular intervals.
It means making bottles at 3am takes less than 2 mins and its the perfect temperature.
No faffing about.
I also have the Mam bottles that you sterilise in the microwave in 3 mins.
Again, godsend, no messing with bottles in a steriliser for 24hours.

Yes, formula reeks. I was a bit shocked by that!

I found that the ready made stuff didn't smell as pungent and was easier to use for top-ups in early weeks while we were sorting out some breastfeeding niggles. DD would happily drink it at room temp. But it is more expensive obviously.

Perfect prep. Making bottles is faster than warming them up. Freshly made bottles don't smell!

Formula smells disgusting. It’s a life saving miracle, so the smell is something some parents even come to love.

I did notice you mentioned feeding formula because baby was hungry at the 2 hour mark. Just wanted to clarify that it’s totally ok to breastfeed again, even 30 or 60 minutes later. If baby still isn’t getting enough, then yes, formula can help, but if you just feed frequently your supply should increase.

Crying at 2 hour is normal!!! Keep offering the boob and think hard before combo feeding. It isnit an easy road.

I wish someone had told me this 🙄

We gave up with powder for a few reasons and i supplement now with ready made. MUCH better and well worth the £££ IMO

And yes, bf babies can eat a lot. At 2 weeks mine was def feeding every 90mins ish. Sometimes more frequent, other times a little longer.

We made ours in advance but like this:

Our daughter had 7 ounces of milk. That was 7 scoops and 210ml of water.

We boiled the kettle, left it for 30 mins and filled the empty bottles up with 150ml. We added the 7 scoops, mixed, cooled down and put in the fridge. When our daughter was hungry, we used boiling water to fill the remainder of the water needed originally (60 ml) and it was the perfect temp.

This worked great when out too. Take your prepared bottles in a cool bag, have a flask of boiling water and just top up

Hi OP glad you are finding the formula helpful. It isn’t correct though to make it up in advance and keep in the fridge for up to 20 hours. You can check guidance on the nhs website or babyfriendly.org.uk (under bottlefeeding resources). The recommendation to make it up fresh every time is based on a very rare bacteria which grows even in the fridge and has been fatal to babies (again, rare - but hence the advice).

@AA95

Hi All. First time mum here and really looking for some advice / help! My Daughter is 17 days old. I've exclusive BF until day 15 where the cluster feeding and my supply just wasn't working so I've had to incorporate formula as a top up... Now, making pre made bottles seems so confusing, so here's how I've done it and I would welcome and advice / tips

1. Wash bottles in soapy water
2. Put into steriliser, keeps sterile for 24 hours
3. Boil kettle, leave to cool for 15 -30 mins, add water and necessary formula powder to sterile bottles and shake to mix well.
4. Then I've ran under a cold tap and added the bottles to the fridge. (As long as used with 20 hours they are fine right? )

Now, this is what I've done, my LO has cried after 2 hours BF so I've used one of the bottles out the fridge to top her up, I've got the tomeetippee bottle warmer, so I've took the bottle out the fridge and put into the bottle warmer to a nice room temp, she's drank it fine BUT I've opened the bottle to throw away the rest as she's not finished it within the hour and it smells foul, Is this normal or have I buggered it up and given her off milk/ I'm panicking !

Please help! Xxx

Thanks everyone for all your welcomed advice, it means a lot!! To clarify I meant baby feeds on my (boob) for 2 hours or longer / cluster feeding, me and the midwife have tried everything to up my supply but due to such a traumatic birth and aftercare my supply just has not come in so LO was cluster feeding so much but was not gaining weight/ losing too much so the option I had was to incorporate formula. I still BF and Then if she still stirs I'll give her a bottle, after checking everyone's advice I've opted for the prep machine and just ordered it now, I think it will give me piece of mind that I'm doing it the safest and fast way. The bottle method I've done the last few days (prepping and putting in the fridge) this was done to me when I was younger it's crazy how guidelines change! Hey ho, I'm just glad I checked. Thanks so much! Here's to a happier and fuller baby and this mums mind has been put at ease!

Depending on the formula you may not be able to store. We used Hipp organic and had to make fresh. We used the perfect prep which was a lifesaver!