confused

[Doodlebug.]

Hi ladies

I'm new to formula feeding and i've never been so confused I'd be grateful if you could help me

Once i've made the bottle up, how long will it keep for at room temp? If my LO doesnt finish the bottle, can I give him the rest of it say 30mins later? Is it safe to make bottles up and keep them in the fridge or do I have to make them up as I need them? everyone I ask has a different opinion i'd be interested to hear how you ladies do it??

 

[Mandy_2009]

My daughter is 3 years and when she was a baby I use to make them fresh but then I just started making them up each morning and whacking a load in the fridge - heating them up when needed - I use to take cartons of ready made out with me but sometimes I would take a pre made one from my fridge and just heat it up when I was out.
I will be doing this for baby number 2 also!

Lots of people say not to do it this way or that all are fine ways just be comfortable - I was much more relaxed knowing I had a load in the fridge without having to faff around making up fresh feeds when seh was screaming!

Also I work in nurseries and all those I've worked in are happy to leave feeds in fridge and make up fresh for parents so both ways are fine! x

 

[Mandy_2009]

Oh and yes its fine to leave milk for 30 mins and then give back - I always did this as my bubba use to have a lil break too x

 

[xnewxmummyx]

My DD is 25months now but I used to make up the bottle, so boiling water then add however many oz's you need, then I'd rapid cool in bowl of cold water for about 30mins then stored on top shelf right at the back of the fridge then used to heat up when needed.

X

 

[Doodlebug.]

Thank you ladies im just not sure i feel comfortable making up a lot and storing them in the fridge, although one of my midwives said this was fine, the other has said its not which has now left me stuck as to what to do

 

[melfy77]

Once you've made the formula you can keep it in the fridge for 24 hours. So I make what I think I'll need for the day and night and put it in a BPA free plastic jar. I always prepare a few bottles in advance, especially at night so I just have to heat it up.

 

[LilyValley]

Officially you are supposed to make up feeds as you need them, using water which is 70 degrees to kill any bacteria in the powder. Premade bottles should be used within 2 hours and once your LO has started a feed then you have 1 hour before the milk is risky.

I stick to this because I'm scared of LO getting ill and it being something I could have avoided (I think this is to do with my anxiety, no judgement intended at all I'm just too scared to premake bottles). I used to use the ready made cartons when out and about but I've been managing to make bottles up fresh by requesting boiling water in cafes etc. if I know it will be used within 2 hours then I just make one up and keep it in an insulated bottle bag.

One thing I will say is that sticking to the 'rules' can make stressful days worse and night feeds awful . But once you get used to it you don't really think about it.

 

[Doodlebug.]

Officially you are supposed to make up feeds as you need them, using water which is 70 degrees to kill any bacteria in the powder. Premade bottles should be used within 2 hours and once your LO has started a feed then you have 1 hour before the milk is risky.

I stick to this because I'm scared of LO getting ill and it being something I could have avoided (I think this is to do with my anxiety, no judgement intended at all I'm just too scared to premake bottles). I used to use the ready made cartons when out and about but I've been managing to make bottles up fresh by requesting boiling water in cafes etc. if I know it will be used within 2 hours then I just make one up and keep it in an insulated bottle bag.

One thing I will say is that sticking to the 'rules' can make stressful days worse and night feeds awful . But once you get used to it you don't really think about it.

i completely agree

 

[Beccaboop]

I pre make 4 bottle as thats how many i can get in our sterilser at a time and put them in the fridge and heat them in our bottle warmer when needed and if lo hasnt finished it within 2 hours i throw it away but he finishes his bottles within 30 mins so i dont normally have to throw much away.

 

[LilyValley]

I pre make 4 bottle as thats how many i can get in our sterilser at a time and put them in the fridge and heat them in our bottle warmer when needed and if lo hasnt finished it within 2 hours i throw it away but he finishes his bottles within 30 mins so i dont normally have to throw much away.

I hope you don't mind me asking, but did your HV/midwife recommend that you do this? It certainly sounds like an easier way round the bottle making saga, I get so stressed out about how long a bottle has been made up and it always seems so pointless when I read posts like yours. I sometimes think I should do the same but then my HV will say something about formula feeding and the risks and I'm back to square one again .

 

[patooti]

My midwife, hv and the canister of formula I use all say it is okay to make up and store formula for 24 hours. I make up 280mls at a time which is currents enough for just over 4 feeds since I feed 60ml at a time. I do that using cooled boiled water and store in fridge until ready to pour out and heat. If I am going out I take boiled cooled water with me in bottles and premeasured powder. As long as you aren't giving bacteria in powder a chance to grow you are safe.

 

[kitty_el]

I normally make 4 bottles in the morning put them in the fridge and heat when needed. When these have ran out I make another 4.
I also keep the bottle for up to 2 hours after feeding in case baby wants more and then throw away.
I was advised by midwife that they advise you to make up as required but this is only a recent thing and last year it was fine to make up and store, so I'm going with the later. My niece was born a year ago and all her bottles were pre-made and she is fine as am I and this was the way my mum did it.
xxx