Perfect Prep Machine

[Marshmallow1992]

I’m 29 weeks so starting to really think about routines etc. I will not be breastfeeding at all and wanted advice from any mums out there on the best way to make up formula. I know you aren’t meant to make bottles and leave in the fridge so is the perfect prep machine easier for making bottles then? Especially thinking for those night feeds early on. I’m worried about the cleanliness of the perfect prep machine and mould etc? My midwife told me to steer clear of it as it’s not safe but I’ve seen so many mums use them so really wanted to know from mums who formula fed the easiest way to make bottles and get into a routine. Thanks.

Guess why they're on sale in mothercare? Cos people are starting to understand that these aren't safe, the hot shot isn't hot enough, and let's not go there with the mould tube malarkey. I do get that for older babies some parents find them handy, but it really isn't worth the risk for a very new baby.

I totally get that the supposed issue with the PP is to do with the hot shot not being sufficient to sterilise the formula powder. But why are parents in other countries told to make up feeds with cool water if that is so important? Why are there no warnings or disclaimers on the back of anti-reflux formulas which specifically require the use of cooled boiled water?

The hot shot is 70 degrees, the same projected temp as if you boil the kettle and leave it for 30 mins to cool as per the instructions. This is because if it's too hot it can kill nutrients in the powder, and if it's not as hot as 70 then it doesn't kill bacteria. Each to their own and everyone should do their own research and decide what they feel comfortable with, it isn't recommended, for example, to premake bottles and pop them in the fridge now, but lots of people do with no issues.

Thanks so much everyone for the replies. I don't think I'm going to buy one, I'm just going to use all the excellent tips you have /all given me on here! Thanks!

As with everything, it's all a matter of the risks you are comfortable with. I love our perfect prep (and like others, clean and sterilise it regularly and use the TT filters). I am also comfortable making up a batch of 3 bottles, using one immediately and cooling the other two quickly and storing them in the fridge. There are small risks to both of these but smaller than I think the risks would be if I was making up each bottle fresh and with a kettle etc. Nothing is risk free, you just have to do what you think is for the best.

@Marshmallow1992 - get the perfect prep machine! Seriously, it’s a life saver & SO much cheaper than using pre-made every night for up to a year 😱 my midwife & HV advised me to get one.. so clearly advice differs. So long as you clean them regularly as advised, you won’t get mould. We never got a hint of mould, I’ve no idea how anyone does! Ours was spotless after a year of use & ready to go for baby two.

We kept the perfect prep in our bedroom, it made night feeds a breeze and wasn’t hard in the daytime, in fact the bed was somewhere to pop baby while I made her milk!

Perfect prep is so much easier than a kettle, faffing around waiting for it to cool with a screaming baby. With the machine, two minutes and you’ve got a ready to drink, nicely warm bottle of milk!

Honestly, it was the best bit of kit we bought!

@Gileadisreal they are on sale in mothercare because it's shutting down 🤦🏼‍♀️

OP the perfect prep machine is hands down the best baby product I own. I just make them up as I need them and you get perfect temp bottle in a minute or 2. Stay on top of descaling and filters and it's spot on. Wouldn't be without it.

Another one who used Perfect Prep for 3 DCs. I regularly cleaned it, put it through hot cycles and changed filters as soon as the indicator lit up. I know the old style ones were on sale as they were bringing out new one with a night light.

For night feeds you can pour boiled water into a bottle say 2/3 of the amount you need them keep a flask of boiling water next to your bed so you can too up with warm water and have the powder already measure out. You can get stackable plastic tubs for the powder

@20viona I think you'll find they've been on sale everywhere since Watchdog exposed them as being unsafe dear.

Cleaning isn't the only safety issue with the perfect prep.

The water it puts into the bottle isn't hot enough to sterilise the milk powder.

@20viona I think you'll find they've been on sale everywhere since Watchdog exposed them as being unsafe dear.

Nope they even bought the new day and night one out post the mould issue, which I own and quite happily paid full price for.
So not EVERYWHERE has them on sale dear.

@Gileadisreal

Provide evidence that they are unsafe.

@20viona erm, congratulations on paying full price? Lol

No idea why people think the hot shot isn't hot enough.... stick a probe in it when it come out the machine.... it's well over 70 degrees (the temperature needed to mix in with formula)

My HV was diplomatic when she explained what the "nhs viewpoint" was on it.

It is 70 degrees. Which is the recommended temperature.

I had bought a perfect prep machine for DD2, within a week of using it my little girl had stomach pains and bad nappies. When I checked the temperature of the hotshot of water it wasn't hot enough. Only checked it as when I made a bottle using my sisters machine the bottle was much warmer than ours. Stopped using it and little ones nappies went back to normal! The machine was quickly returned!
Went back to making bottles with boiled water, cooking them quickly in the sink and storing in the fridge until needed.

@Curtainly mine comes out at 79 degrees.... I tested it lol

Also used the pp machine and will do so with number 2 if breastfeeding doesn't work out again... lots of advice on here're filters, cleaning etc l.... just one thing I didn't realise but a biologist friend told me... you actually don't want the hot shot too hot - 70 degrees is hot enough to sterilise but not too hot to destroy the carbohydrate chains (which are the big breakthrough to make formula much closer to breastmilk than it was 10 yrs ago)... so don't use just boiling water, even if you do then cool the bottle....

Do your research about the perfect prep machine, it’s actually not safe. Tests have shown that it doesn’t heat the water to the temperature the power needs to kill any bacteria. You will be risking your child’s health every time you give him/her a bottle made with the perfect prep machine. I’m on a training course and they have just covered this again, it’s not recommended as it’s not safe. It’s your choice, but is it worth risking your child’s health?

static1.squarespace.com/static/59f75004f09ca48694070f3b/t/5a5f913c0d92977380f39cbd/1516212541405/Statement_on_formula_preparation_machines_Nov+2016.pdf

www.coch.nhs.uk/media/129463/tommee-tippee-prep-machine.pdf

I used a perfect prep with my two sons and have a new one for my new baby. There is a lot of conflicting advice but we never had any problems with the PP and used it properly - cleaned properly, use the correct filters etc. It's certainly 'safer' than making up bottles and keeping them on the side in your kitchen which a previous poster did.

I never made up bottles in advance. If we were out and about I carried a flask of boiling water and another sterile bottle of cool boiled water and basically did the same thing that the perfect prep does.

The 'it never did me any harm' argument. The shot of water may well be the required 70 degrees, but the small amount of water cannot hold its temperature long enough compared to a large amount of water., to render the powder sterile.

Never mind though, as long as caring for your baby doesn't inconvenience your life too much, that's the main thing.

Why don’t you take the midwife’s advice?