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.

My midwife said they are perfectly safe provided you wash and sterilize your bottles and clean the machine. The mould in the machine is because people don’t follow instructions and some even use it for breastmilk and formula when they shouldn’t be as bm contains more bacteria and should be given as is.

So @AreYouOkayHun - how did you make up bottles for your baby?

I have a three month old and I bought the perfect prep machine. I never used it. I fill a flask with boiled water once cooled and use that throughout the day and night (I obvs change it).

You're absolutely fine to make bottles in advance as long as they're put in the fridge straight away and not in the door.

@TwinkleStars15

Genuinely interested as I did my own probe test but would never use it if it was dangerous....

Reading your first linked article suggested that the powder in their tests was added at various intervals AFTER the hot shot was put in the cold bottle? That is not what the machine directs.... the machine tells you to put the powder in the empty bottle and then add the hot shot of water on top of it. Have I misread the article?

I put a probe on the powder and hot shot and it was nearly 80 degrees in my machine....

You're not reading it wrong, the article incorrectly states that you add the powder after the hot shot has been dispensed. This is what has caused concerns over the temperature, as they are saying if you take the entire 2 minute window to add it, the temp may have fallen below the required level. However this is useless as it very clearly states to add the powder BEFORE adding the hot shot; so it will be the correct temperature when it makes contact. The 2 minutes is to add the lid, give it a swirl or a shake so that the water makes contact with all of the powder, and to put the bottle back under the machine for the cooled filtered water. That article directly demonstrates why a lot of midwives and HVs give inconsistent advice, the literature they are given isn't even correct. I believe everyone should make their own mind up, but based on evidence, of which that is not. The second article states that it has not been proven to be safe, but it's hasn't been disproven either.

@Marshmallow1992 Tube don;t get mouldy if you use their own filters and clean it montly like the instructions say. People who got mould probably never cleaned it al all and surprise surprise this is what you get.
In the same way premade bottles are not recommended- but as you c an see, people even in this thread say they do it.
We never had a problem with PP machine and used it for a couple of months before switching to mixing hot and cold water half half. It was a lifesaver for the first few months in the moddle of the night.

They are fine best money ever spent don't listen to the scaremongers op just go for it and buy one. As long as it's cleaned every four weeks and you use the Tommie tipee filters it's safe.

I didn't even know you had to add the formula first either iv been adding the formula after the hotshot

I loved my perfect prep. I religiously cleaned it with Milton sterilisier and took the back off to inspect pipes. No issues and I'd get another in a heartbeat. It saved my sanity.

@iamNOTmagic as midwives aren't actually given the correct information it seems, it's probably more useful to look online. In fact, when BFing wasn't going well and I chose to switch to formula, my midwife simply said that they don't support such decisions, and to go home and Google how to make up bottles etc safely so they could spend time with those who actually needed support.

@Misty999 the instructions clearly state to add the formula powder first and then the hot shot.

3 kids over 18 years the advice has changed significantly as you can imagine.
For my eldest i could make up 8 bottles keep in fridge and heat on command.
My 2nd it was dont store in fridge (i did bit lowered it to only 4 at a time)

My 3rd is 2 yrs old, so its make on command (advice) pretty much. However i planned the same as before as it worked well and never caused any issues. Bit my mother instited on a prep machine (i saw it as a fancy kettle and didnt need it, boy was i wrong it was a god send, no screaming child waiting for bottle to warm then waiting for it to cool down.

You ask about bottles out and about. Yes you can use shop bought premade bit they are expensive in the long run. You can buy pots which you can dispense powder into, some go inside thr bottle and some dont. Just put water in bottles at home, scoop correct amount of powder into thr pot. Just add powder to water when needed, shake and heat.

People love to pile in on the perfect prep (either the breastfeeding mafia, or other bottle feeders who are weirdly snooty about sneering at buying a very moderately priced gadget that makes life infinitely easier...so odd). However, I always come back to the fact that if there was any basis to any of these stories about making babies ill there would have been significantly more hoo-ha than there actually has been. I used the pp machine when I wasn’t breastfeeding any more and so did an awful lot of people I know. Not a single illness. Keep it clean and use the proper filters and you’ll be fine.

@Xyzzzzz is it still ok even if the water is cooled in the flask to use this water to make a bottle? Say you boil the water at 9am and then use the water at 4pm? Is it not cool by then and is this ok?

@iamNOTmagic you’re attitude is appalling. I am not choosing to ignore midwifes advice, I know loads of friends who have it and swear by it so that’s why I was asking opinions. The thread wasn’t completely about that anyway I wanted general tips about feeding since I’m new to all this so please take your stinking attitude elsewhere.

We just used 2 flasks, one hot water, one cooled boiled water and had formula in a portion pot.

All went in a basket at night on the change table and in the change bag during the day.

Takes all of 30 seconds to make up each bottle.

Thanks to everyone for your advice it’s really appreciated from REAL mums who have loads of experience of this. That’s what I wanted to hear!

I used the prep machine the first time round. I’m hoping to breastfeed this time but if it doesn’t work out then I’m going to do my own version of the prep. I’ll boil the kettle and add an ounce or 2 of boiled water to mix the powder, then I’ll make up a couple of bottles of cool boiled water to top the bottle up to the required amount. It’s what I used to do when out and about and means the bottle is ready straight away and the powder is safely mixed x

With my teen I made bottles cooled them and put in fridge till I needed them

When dd came along last Yr. I was making as I went.. But trying to cool and listen to her scream was horrible and woke the whole house..
I was at a family members house and they had a prep.. They said use it..
I did.. And let's just say I left there when straight to mothercare and purchasdd one.. Never ever looked back.. As long as its cleaned properly and filters regularly changed.. They're brill

To go out I brought an a vent thermos bag.. Would put for example 5oz of a 7 oz bottle of hot water.. Knowing it would cool in a couple. Hours. Then when I needed to make the bottle I'd boil a kettle. Or ask wherever I was to top it to the 7oz of hot which made the temp perfect and used the milk dispenser and shake.. Stress free. Perfect

You'll find your own way of doing things.
I'm. Due Jan and will be doing the same again

I know ultimately it is personal preference but unless you have medical reasons, why not use the free "perfect prep machine" nature equipped you with. Milk is free, always the the correct temperature and no sterilisation needed. It's difficult for 2-4 weeks then it's a breeze. It's worth spending £100 on private breastfeeding support at the beginning, formula etc is expensive.

www.firststepsnutrition.org/making-infant-milk-safely

The reason Midwives and Health Visitors don't (or shouldn't) recommend using the perfect prep is actually because Tommee Tippee refused to provide their research to show that the machines are safe. It's that simple. www.firststepsnutrition.org/making-infant-milk-safely

Oh snap anascrecca!