This is my email to Tommee Tippee, what do you think?
I visited your consumer site, as a parent, but I am also a Midwife.
I am contacting you because you are giving incorrect advice regarding the correct way to prepare infant formula.
Your website states:
'Health guidelines recommend you make up bottles one at a time. It may be easier to store the cooled, boiled water sealed in the bottles and then add the formula at feeding time.'
This goes directly against Department of Health Guidelines. A copy of which can be found here:
www.dh.gov.uk/health/2012/08/guide-to-bottle-feeding/
The correct advice is:
'To reduce the risk of infection, make up each feed as your
baby needs it, using boiled water at a temperature of 70 o
C or above. The step-by-step guide shows you how to do this.
Water at this temperature will kill any harmful bacteria that
may be present. Remember to let the feed cool before you
give it to your baby.'
This is followed up with the following information:
'Do not boil water in advance and store it in sterilised bottles
in the fridge for later use. The water needs to be hot when the
powdered infant formula is added, to kill any harmful bacteria
that may be present.'
Please can you explain why you are advising parents directly against the government guidelines for making up first stage formulas.
I would like to know where you found the information to display on your website.
There are some formulas which require preparing with cooled boiled water, but these are specialist milks, and the majority of parents and carers will not be using these milks.
The advice you are providing can and does make babies ill. I am very shocked that you would give such ill-informed advice.
I would appreciate a speedy response to my question.