Formula feeding and going out

[weebubbles]

Hi, how do I make my formula feed when going out, I have a few options but not sure if they are ok or not:

1. to make it up as instructed on tin (boiling water, add powder, shake and cool quickly under cold tap) then store in fridge. When going out take it out of fridge, put into a cooler bag and heat up when required. But how long can it stay in the cooler bag for?. and if I am somewhere that Ican't heat it up e.g. the park then this is not ideal

2. take a flask of boiling water and powder in a container and make up when required. But then how do I cool it down?

3. take cartons of formula and a bottle and then either give it at room temperature or heat it up. But if I take a bottle how do I keep it sterile, if I take it out the steriliser, and put a lid on it, will the bottle remain sterile?

and am I correct in saying that I cant make the formula milk and keep it warm as bacteria will grow?

or does anyone do something different? Please help as I am very confused about this.

 

[Jkelmum]

I use option 3 the bottle stays sterile
yes you are right in saying that I cant make the formula milk and keep it warm as bacteria will grow
With option 2 ive seen people put half in bottle so it cools then add hot from flask so its right temp
option 1 you can take a flask and jug with u i guess

 

[nov_mum]

I don't know if this helps or not but this is what I do. I fill the bottles with boiled water and leave them to cool. I make mine to the ratio of s26 gold which is one scoop per 60mls.When going out I make sure that each bottle has 120mls of cooled boiled water. I have a formula dispenser which has three compartments for formula I have measured out. If we are going somewhere there are cafes I ask someone to add hot water up to 180mls or I ask for a small jug of hot water. If we are not going somewhere liek that I take a flask of boiled water. We have a mini one from Kathmandu (do you have that store or a simliar one like camping supplies?) which does NOT have a glass inner that breaks very easily when dropped. I then add the formula and shake. I found it a huge pain to sit a bottle in somethin to heat it. I don't like using microwaves to heat either.

This method is great but I find I buy a lot more coffee than I used to. Then again, I probably take better care of myself since then and I'm not spending money on wine so I figure a coffee every other day isn't too bad.

 

[Fossey]

I do option three normally. I use avent bottles, that you can by travel packs which basically keep the teat sterile for up to 24 hours and i put a lid on the bottle.

I used to take a flask, But i use half boiling water half cold water, so its always the right temp for her so there was no fussing about cooling it down (that's what I do at home as I make mine fresh)
Ive just moved onto follow on so will be doing flask again as the follow on I use, the ready made stinks and Im not keen!

 

[nov_mum]

If you have sterilised your bottle and teets etc and you put boiled water in it will remain sterile until you add the milk powder. I store bottles in the fridge with cooled boiled water also when not in use.

 

[weebubbles]

so if I do option 3 do I need to buy something to keep the teat sterile? Is putting the lid on the bottle and keeping the bottle empty not enough?

 

[nov_mum]

so if I do option 3 do I need to buy something to keep the teat sterile? Is putting the lid on the bottle and keeping the bottle empty not enough?

The teet is sterile as long as it doesn't come in to contact with anything else.

 

[nov_mum]

What will you do with the unused portion of the carton? Here in NZ they come in 200ml lots and it would seem that a lot would get wasted as you would have to throw the rest away?

 

[x c l w x]

Personally i have found the best way to make up feeds when i am going out is, to make up a bottle as you would at home, cool it in freezing cold water then place it in the back of the fridge. then when you go out put it in a cool bag and take a flask of boiling water with you to warm it up in. you can buy fisher price flasks for this. it hasnt hurt my baby at all doing this and she was premature aswel. my health vistor said its perfectly alright to do this. hope this helps =]

 

[MaryPoppins]

Here's is what I do, and it works well for me!
When LO was younger and was just on milk...

- boil kettle and sterlise 6 bottles
- once boiled water has sat for 30 mins, fill the bottles with the required amount
- leave the bottles on the counter (not in the fridge - I've always been told this is bad?) until LO is ready
- once LO wants his milk, heat the water to the correct temp using fresh boiled water in jug and then add the powder.

When I was out, I would take the bottles of water in a cool bag and the powder in little tubs you can buy and make up the bottles as needed. Because the bottles were never below room temp, I didn't have to heat it up if I couldn't ie. in the park. If I were in a cafe, I would ask for some hot water to heat it up with!

They make it so complicated for new mums though, I remember having similar dilemas and I'm sure every one did too!

 

[tasha41]

TBH I usually make my trips short and I go out after I feed her, I bring a bottle in case (cold) of made up formula... I store it in a small cooler bag type thing..

I think for a newborn definitely do not bring warm formula with you because of bacteria; you're meant to throw it out after an hour after it's warm if you haven't used it all.. when they get a little older it's not so much of an issue but not something I'd do with a baby that has a funny tummy..

Usually I'm going to places like OH's or a friend's place so I can put the bottles in the fridge.

 

[weebubbles]

I have decided to put the water in a flask and buy the containers that store formula milk and make the bottle up as I need it.

But when I put the water in the flask, do I use boiling water and then once I have made up the bottle let it cool or do I put room temperature water in the flask?

 

[nov_mum]

If you want it heated. Fill the bottle to about 2/3 of the amount you make up with cooled boiled water put on the lid and keep in your nappy bag. When you need to feed then just add the the other third from your flask of boiled hot water and then the powder. Temp is good to go, all water has been boiled and formula fresh as a daisy. If you are happy to feed at room temp. Fill the bottles with boiled water to amount you need to make up, no need for a flask. It is just as sterile in the bottle as in a flask.

 

[Arcanegirl]

I have always made my bottles up with boiled water, put the lids on and left to cool. When ive needed one i put the powder in and give it at room temp.
This way ive never had the problem of heating it up, or needing to keep it chilled.

 

[Mum2b_Claire]

The NHS leaflet our HV gave us said that as formula powder is not sterile, you must use water that is over 70 c to kill the bacteria.
We just decided to use ready made cartons, they come in 200ml and 500ml, so we take 200ml cartons and sterilised bottles with us if going out. I'd recommend doing that when going out even if you want to use the powder when you're home.It's a lot easier.

 

[K&H]

I use ready made cartons and sterilised bottles when goin out. she takes her bottles at room temp so dont really have to worry about heatin the food. x x

 

[charliebear]

I have always made my bottles up with boiled water, put the lids on and left to cool. When ive needed one i put the powder in and give it at room temp.
This way ive never had the problem of heating it up, or needing to keep it chilled.

This is I have always made our bottles up.