Bottle prep machine yes or no?

[Ros2023]

It’s me again!
when I had my last child 13 years ago we used to make a few bottles at a time with boiled kettle water then the baby powder. Then we would warm them up when we needed them. But I’ve heard this is not what you do anymore?
has anyone used a bottle prep machine? Is this what people use now? I’m assuming it’s much quicker and safer?

It's amazing BUT you MUST MUST MUST follow the cleaning and preparation instructions to the letter

People have so many negative opinions on them but I used one with my baby girl from birth till she came off formula in September and no problems whatsoever. We have the day and night one and tells you exactly when it needs a new filter, clean out etc and step by step what to do. Our next baby il be looking into them rapid cool flasks apparently they are really good and easy to use

Definitely! I didn't with 3 of mine.. I did with number and it was a game changer! 100% worth it.. never had any issues with it.

85% of machines tested did not use hot enough water so they really are not recommended. www.swansea.ac.uk/press-office/news-events/news/2023/10/study-raises-concerns-over-powdered-infant-formula-preparation-machines.php#:~:text=A%20study%20by%20Swansea%20University,this%20could%20pose%20a%20serious

We have a prep machine but my baby prefers the rapid cool bottles as they’re warmer. The prep machine is a faff to clean as well.

I was tempted but then got scared that the hot shot wasn't hot enough so never bothered! I always made bottles fresh and just cooled them quickly. You can also use pre made formula (it's expensive, but good when out and about or growth spurts)

I had one initially but found the bottle was always too cold for my LO when made up. He also had reflux and I noticed it was a bit worse with prep machine so I switched to just making them up manually. I had a boiling water tap though so it was actually quicker than using the prep machine. I did my own larger hot shot with powder and topped off with cooled boiled water I stored in the fridge.

I do know lots of people that had absolutely no issues with prep machines though, it just wasn’t for me.

NHS guidance is make fresh where possible BUT bottles can be stored in the back of the fridge and warmed in hot water when needed.

To make fresh, you need the boiling water to kill off any bacteria in the powder so we used to make up half boiling water to kill the bacteria and then half cooled boiled to top it to the right amount and right temp. We just adjusted the amounts as the feeds got bigger.

So for a 6oz bottle I'd put 3 oz boiled into a clean bottle with 6 scoops of powder and then mix to kill the bacteria. Then I'd have 3 oz of cooled boiled in another bottle that I'd pour in to top it up to the 6oz. At the same time, I'd put another 3 oz of boiling water to one side to be the cooled beer after for the next feed.

My kids are 6 and 3 and we still did what you did with your 13 yr old. I know it's not NHS backed anymore but we figured the risks were so minimal and did it anyway. We will do the same for our new baby once they start having formula too. Never had any issues, our kids never had any GI illnesses whilst they were formula fed for example.

Perfect prep machines are not recommended by the NHS either.

Used a prep machine for both of mine and they're both healthy and happy 7 years (ds) and 21 months (dd) old. Same machine, cleaned really well after several years of storage. Absolutely no issues. A godsent in the middle of the night or, if like both mine, baby goes against all the 'they'll give you lots of cues before scream crying that they're hungry' advice 🥴

Definitely recommend

It was a lifesaver - yes from me!

TBH when she was tiny we just made them up as we went and did pre-made bottles in the night.

She’s 8mo now and we make as we go and have started making one up for the middle of the night, mostly not needed but we’re in a tough spot now. We didn’t have to feed in the night 10 weeks to 6 months but we do on occasion now.

Personally i think they are a waste of money. All they do is give a "hot shot" of water to kill the bacteria and then fill the remaining with cooled water. You can do this yourself with a kettle (for the hot shot) and cool boiled water, that's what I done anyway x

I had one for my DS, I’m expecting again and won’t use it. He always preferred a bottle in my mums made from the kettle and cooled and I also feel like it made his reflux worse. I plan on using the Nuby Rapid Cool. I can’t deny the prep machine wasn’t convenient; but I feel like there has to be a valid reason why it’s not recommended by HCP.

The prep machine makes my formula very bubbly which gave DS a lot of wind. Also you do have to shake the bottle halfway through the prep cycle so it’s not like you can just press a button and come back 5 mins later. I wish I had spent £90 on 3 rapid cools!

Have to say think they are a waste of money!! My daughter is 20!! years ago same as you we would pre make the bottles...... This time round my 9 week old has been on formula since about 3 weeks old and the thought of making fresh every time I was dreading! But..... It's really not that bad! Just make fresh and I have a bowl of cold water and put some ice in it only takes 10 mins or so.....

I bought a nuby rapid cool and haven't even used that!!! And as mentioned by someone else the pre made bottles, handy for when out and about!

The original prep machines are best IMO. The new "night and day" ones have multiple button presses required and take more time, the original you push it only twice if I remember. Make sure you swirl the formula into the hot shot of water, not shake as that introduces gas into the bottle which may make baby windy.

I have used the original for all my babies, even my reflux baby (we stopped for a while to see if the bottle maker was the cause and it wasn't) I have two in my house, one in the kitchen and one in the room where baby sleeps so it's easy in the night.

100% recommend.

I'm getting one of those kettles that "boil" to the temperature you set. Using that as a hot shot then filling with previous cooled boiled water. Much easier to clean the kettle and don't have to buy filter ect. Worth a look. Much cheaper than a perfect prep too.

I read that full study when it was first published. It felt to me like it only gives parents half the story - why were 17% of the rest fine? Would have been so much more useful if they could have identified whether there were any correlations (eg between brands or age or types of machines) not hitting the required temps. I would not have been allowed to publish a report like that in my line of work - I'd have been sent back to do more.

@Ros2023we have a tommee tippee night and day machine, which we've used for two DC (I've mixed fed both of mine until 8month and then FF after that). After doing the weekly cleaning cycle, I make up a "test" batch and check it with a food thermometer. The water in ours is usually at 73c. So if you wanted additional reassurance, you could do something like this in your routine. Then if you have any issues with the temperature, you can go back to the manufacturer.

@BroomAdventures my HV said they aren't recommended by HCP because the manufacturers won't provide the NHS etc with their internal data on how the bacteria filtration or the temperature settings works. So an external organisation can't validate their claims. Basically you are relying on the manufacturer, rather than anyone independent.

Yes, it was really convenient at 3am with a screaming baby. Takes 2 minutes if that.