Formula feeding on the go

[JB2021]

We are formula feeding my 8 week old. When out and about I'm OK if we're at a cafe. I put the pre measured formula in her bottle along with water from a thermos flask. I then ask the cafe for some iced/cold water to cool the bottle with.

But what I'm struggling with is when we are somewhere with no cafe etc. How do you all do it without trying to pre-empt feeding. We are often out for the day, on walks etc where there isn't a cafe or its not always open.

Can't you carry it around premade and chilled (with an ice pack etc) or buy pre mixed cartons? I'm not entirely sure, one reason I breastfed is because I knew I would always have my boobs with me 🤣 but people travel and formula feed so I know it's possible!

Two chillis bottles one with boiling water one with cooled boiled water. Small out of hot water and powder. Mix. Add cool water to the right oz

The women I saw at baby groups with young babys would just whip out a bottle they’d pre made before they came out and fed it to baby at room temperature.

It's a more expensive option but when we're going out and won't have access to water etc we take the small bottles of pre-made formula. They work out at about £1 a bottle but we only go through 1-2 a week so not too bad.

I'm trying not to use the premises as its expensive.

Making from the perfext prep at home it last 2 hours and if i feed just before we go out then can't make and take with us as it'll be longer than 2 hours to next feed.

The 2 bottles suggestion may work

Pre made cartons is the easiest option. You could also make up the feed at home, chill it rapidly and keep it fridge cold with ice packs and an insulated bag for up to four hours, then warm it using the hot water in the flask. There used to be bottle warming flasks available or you could just take a plastic jug with you.
If you are going to use the feed in the next hour or so, you can make up the feed with boiling water and just leave it in your bag at room temperature.

Buy a nubby rapid cool!!

You just carry the warm temperature water (depending how warm your baby wants it) in the thermos. Put the water and the formula into the babybottle and mix. While the advice say to use hot water and let it cool down it is not possible on the go. If you are careful when measuring the powder ( clean hands etc) bacteria won't get it so warm water will be enough.

Or you carry pre made bottles- that only works if your baby doesn't mind room temperature formula.

@ohhollyfred but can't you only use this once then it needs sterilising?

Honestly just do premade and pour into a sterilised bottle when time to feed. You can even make the first bottle fresh from the kettle before leaving, so it’ll be perfect drinking temp in about 45-60 minutes and then ready made for subsequent feeds. It’s not that exorbitant when it’s only for if you’re out of the house for more than 1 feed.

This is what I did. Made them hot, at home, chilled them down, then just fed when needed.

@JB2021 I got the set that has two and a flask for the boiling water. My 14 week old feeds every 3/3.5 hrs so I can manage about 6 hours / 2 feeds out of the house - it's honestly a game changer.

Alternatively just reenact the perfect prep while out.

Take a flask with hot water and a bottle with cold water. Powder in bottle - add 1 - 2 oz hot shot of boiling water then top up with cold. Test on wrist before feeding

Thanks all. Will try replicating the perfect prep as this seems cheapest option if not will look at nuby.

We are often out of the house for a long time and I'm having to find cafes.

We did the 2 flask method (i.e. replicating the perfect prep) while travelling in a country where readymade is not available but really using readymade is so much easier and worth every penny (less stuff to carry around, can leave a few cartons in the changing bag and just pack sterilised bottles on the day).

I make at home, cool down rapidly then put it in the cool bag that came with my changing bag. I fill my contigo coffee flask with boiling water and bring a plastic jug - when he wants to feed just heat up the bottle in the jug with the hot water, takes about 5 minutes to get to his preferred temp 😂

I see people at groups and friends with babies with all these fancy bits of heating/cooling kit but this works for us.

Make up with hot water, flash cool and then keep in a cool pack.

Or bring cold, pre measured water and formula pots.

Although there is a risk of bacterial contamination, making up with hot water reduces this (more so than the perfect prep) or feeding immediately when making with cold water is another way to minimise the risk.

You would want to avoid doing multiple risks ie don't bring a perfect prep bottle out and about, don't make up with the powder and cold water then leave for hours before feeding. But over 4 weeks old the risks are lower anyway.