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Pregnancy

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

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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PasstheStarmix · 11/01/2018 22:19

They don't boil the water and I've heard about people finding mould in them Shock so this was enough to put me off when ds was younger...

mrssmith1415 · 11/01/2018 22:33

We had the prep machine with my daughter but if I was out and about I would take 2oz less than I needed of cooled boiled water in my bottles and then add 2oz of boiling water and the milk powder. It’s the same process as the prep machine just a manual way to do it. You can take the boiling water in a flask or ask at coffee shops etc.

CatchingBabies · 11/01/2018 23:49

Passthestarmix show your HV the UNICEF leaflet I linked to, that's what she should be following.

That also tells you how you can safely store bottles and reheat them.
www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2008/02/start4life_guide_to_bottle_-feeding.pdf

It is best to make them up as and when you need them but you can store them in the fridge if you absolutely have to and it's safer than making with half hot and half cold water or other variations that people use.

seafooodplatter · 12/01/2018 00:12

Used the prep machine from birth. It's amazing.

We live in the UK. Tap water is clean.

The machine has a filter.

The first shot of hot water kills any potential bacteria in the powder before adding cold filtered water.

Proper use of the machine I.e. regular clean cycles, using correct filters etc and you should have no trouble.

My baby has never been poorly with more than a sniffle.

We sometimes make up bottles in advance, cool them under the tap and store in the fridge before putting in a cooler lunch bag with ice packs for when we go out. We use a flask of boiling water to take the chill away.

Going against guidelines doesn't mean any harm will come to your baby. Hot water, clean hands, sterile bottles and cold storage are key if going against advice.

The guidelines tell you the safest and idiot proof way to feed your baby. It's not the ONLY safe way.
There will be absolute dimwits out there who will deviate from the guidelines but wont make up feeds safely. Perhaps don't practice good hygiene, or don't use boiling water, use cold water to make up the feed or might leave advance made feeds out at room temperature, so they have to be absolutely clear and strict in the guidelines.

Bananarama12 · 12/01/2018 08:52

Well I've used the prep machine since birth and had no problems.

Just clean it regularly, like your supposed to Confused

And the water is filtered.

My hv was fine with it.

Bananarama12 · 12/01/2018 08:52

You're*

BikeRunSki · 12/01/2018 09:05

I bottle fed both my children, youngest is now 6. The Perfect Prep machine didn’t exist when mine were babies. We did a combination of makinf up bottles in advance, what Evil described and ready made cartons. For nights and days out, we had a very cold cool bag (Fridge to Go, not sure if you can still get them). I used towarm up bottles either under the bathroom tap, under the duvet or under my jumper. One of my babies was happy with cold milk too.

TBH health care professionals are not going to recommend any formula feeding method other than making up bottles as needed with cooled boiled water. As long as bottles are sterilised, the water that mixes with the powder is boiled first, and bottles kept fresh I can’t see too much opportunity for things to go wrong.

K9pal7 · 12/01/2018 09:24

That's what it says online about the perfect prep

Formula feeding
DailyMaileatmyshit · 12/01/2018 10:17

Potentially stupid question, but why do you need to leave the water to cool to 70? Why can't you use just boiled?

Smellybears · 12/01/2018 10:29

Dailymail apparently you can make up with boiled water. That’s what was throwing me, the 70c temperature, I was even going to buy a temperature controlled kettle until the kind posters on here reassured me that I can use boiled water and then just cool under the tap

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seafooodplatter · 12/01/2018 10:30

Potentially stupid question, but why do you need to leave the water to cool to 70? Why can't you use just boiled?

I always took it to mean it should be a minimum of 70, rather than had to be 70.

I didn't have time to be pissing about boiling kettles and waiting around.

Before the prep machine I would make up a batch of 6 using boiling water, cool and keep them in the fridge for upto 24 hours.

If I ever needed a bottle straight away made fresh I would use just boiled water then put in a jug of cold water then use it as soon as it wasn't too hot.

Smellybears · 12/01/2018 10:37

Roughly how long does it take to cool a bottle from boiling ready to use?
And how long to heat up from the fridge if put in jug of boiled water?

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welshweasel · 12/01/2018 10:53

I used mam bottles. They seem to retain heat very well. On the few occasions I made up a bottle fresh with boiling water it took ten minutes of running under a cold tap to cool a 7oz bottle to a safe temperature. Just think of the waste of water! We’re on a meter too.

seafooodplatter · 12/01/2018 12:55

To cool down in a jug of water, around ten minutes.

I warmed up using a microwave if at home. Takes about a minute. You just have to stop the microwave and shake the bottle a few times to avoid hot spots.

Warming up with a jug of boiling water takes a couple of minutes.

Smellybears · 12/01/2018 13:12

Thank you! Ordered a kettle that you can control the temperature on so that’ll speed it up a bit too. Smile

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cherryontopp · 12/01/2018 13:27

Day time feeds -- i intend to flick kettle on, leave for 20 minutes, make up bottle and then run it under cool water.

Night time feeds -perfect prep machine

People will say about prep machine

"they get mouldy"
Yes they will if you dont clean them regularly as the instructions states.

they don't make the temp right and get rid of bacteria
Yes they do. They give a shot of boiling water, you add formula powder, give it a shake then you press the button again for more filtered water to get the right temperature.
The prep machines have filters which get rid of bacteria.

If you use the correct tomme tippee filters and follow the cleaning instructions, then they are perfectly safe. They would not be allowed to sell them otherwise!

ForeverHopeful21 · 12/01/2018 14:27

I'm a first time mum to be ....I asked two of my friends what items they couldn't live without when they had their babies (both first times mums as well). Both said their Prep Machine. I wasn't planning on buying anything like this but it has now swayed my decision.

whatsittoyou · 12/01/2018 17:47

Sorry PassTheStarmix I didn't mean you specifically, just 5 years worth of reading mixed advice and incorrect claims (from your HV, not your fault). I usually steer clear of formula treads for that reason!

BikeRunSki · 12/01/2018 18:00

Thank you! Ordered a kettle that you can control the temperature on so that’ll speed it up a bit too.

You still need to boil the water first to ensure it is sterile.

delphinidewdrop · 12/01/2018 18:02

we used hipp organic fresh milks in cartons-just pour into sterilized bottles. pricey but worth it!

Smellybears · 12/01/2018 18:46

Oh I’ve read somewhere that people use the kettles, set it to 75 degrees and it’s still fine to use straight away rather than waiting for the water to cool?

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