Bottle feeding questions - please help a newbie

[hayley x]

Hey, just wondering if you lovely mummy's could help me?

i have had to stop breastfeeding Daisy now at 7 weeks cause she's losing weight. so i have a few bottle feeding questions.

how long will a bottle stay sterile once put together but left empty?
if i'm using cartons is it best to make up the bottle with contents before its even needed for feed or keep bottle empty and add carton as necessary.
when making up with powder if i make several then cool and fridge them - do i add the teat to the bottle or use a store lid if i add the teat will it remain sterile once the contents are in there?

sorry for all the questions i'm worrying myself silly - i've just used the last bottle from hospital so the next feed will be a proper bottle.

oh also how often is she likely to feed? obviously every baby's different just wanted some idea xxx

 

[Mum2b_Claire]

Hi, I use cartons and I sterilise the bottles, make them up empty, leave them on the side, and pour the milk straight in when needed. I then warm it slightly in a jug of water from the kettle to take the chill off it.
I don't use powder, but the recommendation is to make up each one fresh with water 70 degrees or above to kill any bacteria that might be present in the powder, then cool to drinking temp.
At 7 weeks Ruby fed every 3 hours in the day, and did an 8 hour stretch at night.
I would expect a baby who started out being BF to drink little and often though as that is the pattern they're used to when BF...

 

[Vicks]

We use powder and make each bottle up when we need it. When we go out though, I sterilise a bottle, put it all together and then pour in a carton just before the feed.

Joe has always fed every 3 hours during the day and goes from about 9pm-7am at night.

Hope that helps x

 

[HanKi x]

We use powder. You can make the bottles up and store in the fridge. They have to be used within 24 hours. I found cartons great when out and about and for night feeds.
Hannah at 7 weeks had a bottle every 3-4 hours. x

 

[_Vicky_]

Hi Hayley

I bf the boys for four weeks then transferred to bottles and they are doing fabulously!!!!

how long will a bottle stay sterile once put together but left empty?
I tend to just keep them for a few hours empty if I am going to use them but I only use them if we are out and about and using cartons.

if i'm using cartons is it best to make up the bottle with contents before its even needed for feed or keep bottle empty and add carton as necessary.
I just take empty sterilised bottles and the carton and pour it out when needed - the cartons stay ok in the fridge opened for 24 hours according to SMA packets

when making up with powder if i make several then cool and fridge them - do i add the teat to the bottle or use a store lid if i add the teat will it remain sterile once the contents are in there?
This si what confused me there are so many different ways of doing this you are supposed to make each one up with freshly boiled water and add powder after its cooled for 30 mins then cool some more and feed - but doing this 16 times a day for me is a no go!!!!! Sooo I sterilise the bottles then boil the water and add the requisite amount of water and leave at room temperature then add the powder as I need it. I know lots of people do make all the bottles up completely for the day though.

HTH

 

[_Vicky_]

oh also how often is she likely to feed? obviously every baby's different just wanted some idea xxx

OOHHH can I have your babies please - my boys both feed every three hours and only have just started going four hours overnight - but they are only 8lb at 8 weeks old so maybe its a weight thing I NEED SLEEP lol xx