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Original poster

Changes to bottle feeding

49 replies

Rosetip · 21/04/2007 12:28

A friend of mine went to visit her friend and newborn son yesterday (she gave birth about 2 weeks ago).
My friend told me that everything has changed to do with bottle/formula feeding since we gave birth to our children 2 years ago.
Something to do with not being allowed to make up bottles in advance and store them in the fridge etc.
Does anyone know anything about this? I breast fed my last two children but am going for my first c/s this time and don't know if my body will produce milk straight away. I want to get to know any new rules well in advance but don't have an appointment with a midwife for a little while.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Diege · 21/04/2007 13:39

Yes, apparently it's advisable to do each bottle from fresh (ie not make up batches in advance and store in fridge). Also to not let water from kettle cool for too long (ie no more than 30 mins). This all relates to the fact that formula isn't sterile, although as my BIL says (he's a bio-chemist), the minute the tin is opened it's not... and from a scientific point of view he can't really see how making up batches and storing in the fridge for 24 hours max would statistically increase the risk of contamination...
There's loads on the gov. website that I'm sure will be useful

daisyhun · 21/04/2007 13:56

Hi - I've been bottle feeding for 8 weeks now.

It's so much easier than it used to be - no more keeping bottles cool when out and about!

You make up all the bottles of water in advance, then you don't need to keep them in the fridge - just on the bench and you can keep them there for up to 24 hours.

When it comes to making up a feed just add the powder and heat if you need to. You need to use up the feed within 1 hour of making it.

If you are out and about just take the bottles of water with you and pre-measure the correct amount(s) of formula into a powder dispenser (you can get these at Boots or other supermarkets) and heat if baby likes it warm.

Hope this helps!

PurpleLostPrincess · 21/04/2007 21:37

My SIL had her baby recently and told me the same thing. She has been doing the same as you daisyhun - I have to say the little dispenser things are really great and very handy.

Glad you mentioned it as I'm hoping to mix-feed; and it's reminded me that I'll need to buy some of those dispensers...

Twinklemegan · 21/04/2007 21:44

I think the point is though that the water has to be really really hot when you add the powder so that any bacteria are killed by the heat. So adding the powder to water at room temperature (I think that's what you were saying Daisyhun) and then heating it if needed is probably the worst thing you can do.

Arriety · 21/04/2007 21:45

Ok now I am confused. I was told that it is not using boiled water that is the issue but ensuring that the water is still hot enough to kill germs when you add the powder. Also that it is better to make up bottles with hot water and store them than to use cooled boiled water and use them immediately.

Arriety · 21/04/2007 21:46

Twinklemegan posted while I was typing- think I basically said the same as her but more waffly!

Twinklemegan · 21/04/2007 21:46

x posted Arriety. I'm with you and I've often thought if you use really hot water it must be OK to store the bottles in the fridge for a while. I've always worked on that basis - I make them up fresh if I can, but if I need to do one in advance then I'm not too worried about it.

Twinklemegan · 21/04/2007 21:48

x posted again lol. Actually though Rosetip, the best thing of all would be to use ready made cartons for your newborn if you do have to formula feed. They are sterile so much safer.

PurpleLostPrincess · 21/04/2007 21:48

NOW I'm really confused!!??

Arriety · 21/04/2007 21:49

Would cost a bloody fortune though!

Twinklemegan · 21/04/2007 21:51

Oh I know! I only meant in the first few days really - I think that's what I would have done if I'd known about the cartons when I had to give formula. Also, the carton keeps for 24 hours in the fridge so you can use a bit at a time rather than pouring loads of made up powdered formula down the sink.

Arriety · 21/04/2007 21:55

To be honest I use hot water and make up batches of 3 and keep them in the fridge. That way they never get kept for more than 12 hours. I spent hours worrying about it all when I first had to switch to all formula and the hvs were useless as I had more info than them, albeit some very contradictory! I haven't worked out how to pretty much feed on demand and make up bottles as you need them! Unless you keep a jug of cold boiled water, make up the bottle with half the water but all the powder and then add cold maybe?

And if you don't reheat the bottle do you have to use it within an hour or can you chuck it back in the fridge and use it in say the next couple of hours?

Arriety · 21/04/2007 21:56

And if it is ok to keep an open carton for 24 hours why isn't it ok to make up bottles and keep them for 24 hours still if you use hot water?!

Twinklemegan · 21/04/2007 22:09

Quite. The new guidance is pretty mad really in the real world. Like you Arriety I came to a compromise and made up small batches. Once DS became more predictable and patient then I was able to make them up at the time. Now DS is older I tend to make up bottles of boiled water in advance, a third of what I'll need, then add boiling water to the cold water before adding powder. I reckon it's hot enough, but not so hot it takes forever to cool.

For a newborn I'd make sure the water was really really hot - can't stress that one enough.

Daisypops · 21/04/2007 22:22

If you want to make up bottles in advance, on the formula tins it says you pour boiling water in to the bottle, allow to cool for 30-40 minutes then add the formula, shake well, cool quickly then put in the fridge. They can be stored for 24 hours. If this wasn't safe surely it wouldn't advise you do to it on the tin?

Arriety · 21/04/2007 22:26

I use Hipp Organic and I know it used to say that but doesn't anymore. Just checked on an Aptamil box (keep the Hipp sachets in Aptamil box from a friend as Hipp don't seal very well!) and it says to use immediately too.

Daisypops · 21/04/2007 22:28

Mmmm, my tins still goves the 'old' advice...

Daisypops · 21/04/2007 22:29

GIVES not goves

Arriety · 21/04/2007 22:32

Daisypops what formula do you use? I am now going to use their advice to rid myself of any residual niggling guilt I have about making up batches! I am sure they don't manufacture their powder in a vastly different way to mine. See what I mean about conflicting advice?!

Daisypops · 21/04/2007 22:53

Mmm it is very confusing I use SMA Gold. Have always done what it says on the tin and have had no problems.

Original poster

Rosetip · 22/04/2007 06:48

Thanks so much for all your messages- it seems no one is exactly sure what to do anymore.
I did like the idea of being able to fill say half a dozen bottles with boiled water and then just leave them out in the house, add powder when required and then perhaps get away with not having to heat them up in the summer as already tepid. This would be great for night feeds!
However when feeding my first born 4 years ago, we went to Brittany in the height of summer and midwife told me that you cannot do this. She said boiled water in bottles stops being sterile after about an hour, therefore we went out a bought a load of ready made cartons instead which did cost a fortune!
I always used SMA gold so will look on their tin, but if anyone has any more thoughts please do let me know.
Thanks

OP posts:

daisyhun · 22/04/2007 08:28

Re boiling water - I called the formula manufacturer's own helpline to clear up my own confusion on the matter when I first started bottle feeding and they told me it was fine to use room temperature water to make up the feeds with powder provided you use up the feed within one hour.

Have always made feeds this way with no ill effects on my LO - and this seems to be the way most of my friends are doing it too.

TheBlonde · 22/04/2007 08:43

Here is the gov guidance have a look at this

Twinklemegan · 22/04/2007 10:59

Daisyhun - with all due respect I wouldn't believe what the formula manufacturers tell you. They're hardly going to admit that their formula may contain potentially life-threatening organisms, are they?

Rosetip - it's not the water issue that's the problem really. You can leave boiled water for up to 24 hours and it will be fine. It's the fact that the formula powder itself could potentially contain bacteria that can be fatal to young babies, such as salmonella and Enterobacter sakazakii. There have been cases in Europe of babies dying after coming into contact with these in infant formula.

That is why it is so important to use really hot water to make up your formula - at least 70 degrees - so that any bacteria are destroyed. HTH.

Twinklemegan · 22/04/2007 11:04

I would add though, I wouldn't ever leave boiled water out of the fridge for 24 hours. I would put the bottles in the fridge as soon as they're cool.

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