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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Formula feeding

96 replies

Smellybears · 11/01/2018 20:08

So confused! First pregnancy, due very soon. My question is about formula feeding as I’ve read so many different ways and am seriously confused!
I was going to purchase a prep machine but have been advised that they’re a waste and to give making up feeds a try first and see how I get on.
Anyway, how does everyone do it? The whole waiting 30 minutes for boiled water to cool is swaying me toward the prep machine as I don’t think it fair to expect baby to wait that long for a feed. Realistically how long does it take for the water to cool, apparently bottles can’t be made up with boiling water and then cooled under the cold tap?
I’ve read about making up feeds in advance in the morning for the daytime and in the evening ready for night feeds and then putting them in the back of the fridge. When needed just put them in a jug of boiling water to heat up.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated thank you!

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Original poster

Smellybears · 11/01/2018 21:40

Can I just confirm, boiling water then cooled water and then the powder, will this be the correct temperature to kill any nasties? Or am I best just heating a bottle from the fridge that I’ve made that evening?

OP posts:

CatchingBabies · 11/01/2018 21:41

Lots of people make bottle that way, adding a small amount of boiled water, mixing the formula then topping up with cooled boiled water and that's also how the perfect prep works. There is no evidence to say that the small amount of boiled water is sufficient to kill all the bacteria in the formula, however that's because it hasn't been tested rather than because it doesn't. Professionally we don't recommend doing it but the jury is out until proper tests are done on this method.

Original poster

Smellybears · 11/01/2018 21:41

Happymummy that’s what I’m thinking of now doing after this post. Does it take long to reheat in a jug of water?

OP posts:

CatchingBabies · 11/01/2018 21:42

Definitely don't add the formula AFTER the cooled water. The water has to be AVOVE 70 degrees to kill the bacteria in the formula. Any cooler and it won't be killed.

Original poster

Smellybears · 11/01/2018 21:43

I’m dubious about boiling water then formula then cooled water in case I don’t add the correct amount. That’s why I’m swaying more toward making a bottle then cooling in cold water and/or making a batch then heating up

OP posts:

CatchingBabies · 11/01/2018 21:44

What happymummy suggests is perfectly safe as long as you cool the bottles down under cold water BEFORE putting them in the fridge as the fridge won't cool them fast enough and they sit in the danger temperature zone too long. But making in advance with boiled water, flash cooling under the tap, store in the back of the fridge and reheat when needed is safe.

seven201 · 11/01/2018 21:46

I love our perfect prep

PasstheStarmix · 11/01/2018 21:47

OP I have a measuring bottle (basically
another feeding bottle without lid.) I measure the hot water and then add to bottle that I've put powder in and shake then measure the remaining cold water and add to bottle and shake and it's ready.

whatsittoyou · 11/01/2018 21:49

This is why I get so annoyed that there is not enough information about bottle feeding out there, some people talk such bollocks. The HV talking about 'killing nutrients' obviously didn't pay much attention in biology. You need the powder to hit a sufficient volume of boiling/hot water to kill the bacteria in the powder. The only reason they say don't use boiling water is because of scolding, also the steam makes the powder go all stuck together (in the scoop) and so you'll end up putting less in than needed and also if you try and shake a bottle that has been boiled (from experience) the pressure makes it squirt out all over the place.
Boil a kettle, put some into a bottle leave it for a little while, pour powder in and shake, top up with cooled boiled water and cool down with a tap/let it stand in water if needed. Once you get into a bit of a routine you'll be able to make up which good time and at night do it that way.

PasstheStarmix · 11/01/2018 21:51

whatsittoyou I'm going to have to show my health visitor this thread! I used to shake but then again I made at 70 so it didn't go all over.

PasstheStarmix · 11/01/2018 21:51

I wouldn't say I talked bollocks either that's a bit extreme

SameWitches · 11/01/2018 21:52

For the first month or two with both my dc's we used ready made formula in the litre bottles. They take so little and so often it was very very handy to just have the bottle in the fridge, microwave warm the 20-30mls and there's little wastage, if they want more you just refill, if they don't drink it it lasts 2 hours and then you do a new one. Once opened the bottles last 48h but it's all there very clearly on the packaging. The only thing with microwave warming is to swill it very well before putting the teat on and checking it- you need to be wary of hot spots in the milk. I just drip a couple of drops into my mouth, if it's too warm a drop of milk which is cold from the fridge cools it instantly. Very little waiting around and by the time they're older and you move onto flash cooling and re-heating they're in a bit more of a routine so you have time to prep bottles and heat them. Worked a charm for me and took the stress out of constant little feeds (you can write the date/ time of opening on the large bottle so you know when it's no good from).

PasstheStarmix · 11/01/2018 21:52

But you're right they don't give you any information and when they do it's bloody incorrect!

HabbyHadno · 11/01/2018 21:54

Hang on, what's all this about making them in advance and then putting them in the fridge. I thought once you'd made the bottles up they needed to be discarded after two hours? It says this on the side of the tub and ready mixed bottles 'use within two hours'.

GreyMorning · 11/01/2018 21:57

DC1 I used to faf about making Pre-measured bottles of cooled boiled water etc, but DC2 I just bought the perfect prep machine.

It's amazing, especially when trying to manage two children as it's so quick.

My HV has said it's fine to use as long as you use proper Tommee Tippie cartridges and not the Brita ones. She said it was a great invention.

Original poster

Smellybears · 11/01/2018 21:58

Habbyhadno I thought they were ok made up (formula and water) cooled quickly and then put in the back of the fridge and used within 12 hours?

OP posts:

Lj8893 · 11/01/2018 21:59

Make the bottle up as recommended, boiled water then formula. Then flash cool it under a running cold tap or a jug of cold water.

If that's not an option (overnight or no time) then it's best to make them that way, then flash cool them before storing at the back of the fridge.

Also ready made formula is great for out and about!

Original poster

Smellybears · 11/01/2018 22:01

Lj-yes I think I’m going to get ready made for out and about! :)

OP posts:

mehhh · 11/01/2018 22:04

I have used the perfect prep from birth as I didn't know the temp thing, (only one bottle per day though)

When I make with the kettle I just boil and pour then cool, I know the carton says wait but I thought it was just to get it hot to kill bacteria, is it bad to use boiling/recently boiled water?

HabbyHadno · 11/01/2018 22:04

"Make up each feed as required. For hygiene reasons, do not store made up feeds, discard unfinished feeds as soon as possible, and always within two hours."

That's what it says on my tub of Aptamil.

MrsApplepants · 11/01/2018 22:06

I formula fed from birth, never made up a bottle once. Used ready made for every feed. No faffing with kettles, worrying about guidelines or heating/ cooling, DD drank it at room temperature. Was brilliant. Cost no more than I would have paid out for lunch each day had I been at work and I consider it money well spent.

Lj8893 · 11/01/2018 22:06

habby yes that is the recommended way to do it. However making them up that way and storing them in the fridge is a lot safer than some of the other ways on here that have been recommended.

PasstheStarmix · 11/01/2018 22:09

I just use the mini ready made bottles for out and about...well worth it.

HabbyHadno · 11/01/2018 22:09

We had to stop using the Tommee Tippee as my baby was SO unhappy. The HV told us to stop using it for a few days and see if he was any better and we noticed a huge difference (annoyingly as I bloody love that machine). So now we mainly use the big bottles of ready made stuff for overnight and I pre-empt feeding times during the day, so make up the bottle with the boiled water (usually leave it for about 15 mins after the kettle has boiled) and then cool it by standing it in a pan of really cold water/running under the tap.

guesswhosback · 11/01/2018 22:16

We boil water and leave it to cool to desired temperature androgen pour into thermos. Thermos keeps it at that temperature for good 6-8 hours.. for formula we use dispenser/container that holds 4-5 feeds so enough for a day .. also we use 5 bottles so no need to wash after each feed.

I can see why people buy perfect prep machine but to me it's just a gimmick really..

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