Bottle feeding newborn while out and about

[Bottlefeed]

Hi, I am due my first baby at the end of September and will be exclusively bottle feeding and I’m just interested to know what other bottle feeding only mums did when out and about with their newborns 👶.

I don’t want to buy the pre-made shop ones as this will be costly. I will be making up a few bottles and storing them at the back of the fridge and using them within 24 hours as and when baby wants a feed (I know this is not NHS best practice, but still is safe to do).

My question is, when I go out would it be ok to take one of the bottles I have made up from the fridge, warm it up then put it in a insulated bag to keep warm for the few hours I am out and about until baby wants it?

Hope that makes sense 🫣☺️

Have a look at first steps nutrition website. It’s the best website for information about formula feeding. It’s evidence based and impartial.

Another good resource is Shell Banks’ book why formula feeding matters.

Both explain really clearly why the guidelines are what they are. Also some good information about how to manage out and about.

The hot water has to be 70 degrees. How do you know the temperature in the flask. Boiling water removes the nutrients from the formula. Under 70 degrees doesn't kill the bacteria in the formula.

Unrelated to your question, but in case you haven't planned, you need to bring formula to the hospital if you plan to formula feed from birth.
I had decided not to breastfeed, and was only given 6 mini bottles of formula in the hospital so had to send my dh out to buy more whilst I was still in hospital after giving birth. This is where those tiny 60ml bottles with teats come in handy because they are sterilised and so easy.

I have four kids including a set of twins and we always used the method of taking 2 flasks out with us and also made bottles fresh at home although I know a lot of people find it a total faff. It is tbh but we didn't like the idea of making bottles in advance and I think the Nuby thing is fairly new.

Just bear in mind that powder formula isn't sterile so needs to be added to boiling water (always water first) to kill any potential bacteria in the powder. Many, many people use water which has been boiled and cooled to room temperature to make the whole bottle because they think that boiling the water and also sterilising bottles is due to germs in the water or environment but it is mostly because of the powder formula. So using room temperature water to make the whole bottle isn't hot enough. Also, when the formula tin says "boil the water and leave to cool for no longer than 30 minutes" that doesn't mean you have to sit and wait for 30 minutes. It is no more than 30 minutes so anything between 0-30 to ensure the water is hot enough to kill any bacteria in the powder.

Anyway, when making the bottles if say it was a 4oz bottle we would add 2oz of boiling water to the bottle then the powder, shake then add the other 2oz of cold water. Just remember the powder displaces the volume so you wouldn't fill it up to exactly 4oz using this method. It will always be a little bit over. If that doesn't make sense I would recommend making bottles using only boiling water up to the full amount so the whole 4oz for example, then add the powder and shake and see what line it reaches on your particular bottles. That's what you're aiming for using the hot/cold water method. So when you add the cold after the hot and powder, you would actually fill it to a bit beyond the 4oz (or whatever size of bottle) mark.

Also, it is fine to use boiling water for most formula types. It won't kill nutrients or anything like that. The only exception to this is certain, usually prescription, formulas that have to be made with lower temperatures.

It's amazing how things change. 25 years ago they gave you the little bottles with the teats you just helped yourself to them from a cupboard. They even let me take some home with me.

This isn't the case at all hospitals. I had my babies at 3 different hospitals and at all of them I was provided with as many of the little bottles of premade formula as we needed. At one they even provided all the nappies 😂

You can also buy a kettle which only heats up to 70 degrees.

It has to be above 70°. We used a thermos flask and filled it to the top and it still had steam coming off it 5 hours after filling!

I just used ready made ones when out and about and took sterilised bottles with me.

Didn't cost that much, I used aptamil alongside mamia powder (Aldi)

Hey @Bottlefeed I exclusively bottle fed, I used to part fill the bottles and then when cooked jeep in the fridge for up to 24 hours, and then top up with boiling water when needed. For out and about I took a flask of boiling water. But I also always had a couple of emergency bottles of the remade stuff for just on case moments.

Hey OP. Depends on how long you are going to be out and about. A prepared bottle should be safe at room temp for 2 hours as soon as you have made it. Nuby rapid cool is also helpful or taking out a flask of water as other posters have suggested. We didn't love using the pre made cartons but they were sometimes a life saver just to have one in the bottom of my bag with a sterilised bottle in case all else failed x

Have you considered buying a perfect prep machine for at home?
I am bottle feeding my 6 month old and the perfect prep has been brilliant, especially for night feeds!

For on the go, I use the Nuby Rapidcool. I try to avoid the ready made milks but always have a few just in case