Formula feeding - how do make up your bottles?

[sahara]

Right - I know this is asked loads - but I want to get it sorted in my mind well before my next baby is born.

Do you pre boil the water - put in sterilised bottles and just add the powder when your bay wants a feed

OR

Do you pre - make the bottles and store in the fridge for 24 hours.

Can you tell me whether you have used this method from birth too please.

Also can I ask do you sterlise the knife you use to level off the milk powder

Sorry for the daft questions - but I have anxiety around hygene etc and I had OCD a couple of years ago - I don't want it to be triggered again when I come to make my babies bottles

Thanks

Sarah

 

[mellllly]

Hey! I make up all my bottles in the morning and then store them in the fridge and heat up as needed.

I dont sterilise the knife I level it off with, your meant to add the powder to cooled boiled water (left up to half an hour) so the hot water kills off any bacteria in the powder

Hope that helps - alot of people do it differently, whatever suits you xx

 

[sahara]

Aawww thank you - I used to sterilise the knife with my daughter LOL I like to make life hard for myself.

The only thing is - do you find the scoop gets all clogged up with the steam. I found that really annoying.

I was thinking I could put the powder in the bottles first and with a spare sterilised bottle measure out the correct oz and poor in. Do you reckon that will be OK?

Thanks

 

[Loveit]

I make up enough bottles for the day with boiled water in a sterilised bottle and let it cool, then add the powder when shes hungry. I'v done this since she was born. In Cow&Gate powder tubs theres a leveler type thing so no need to use a knife!! Far easier! Hope this helps hun x

 

[GEM81]

i used to add the boiled water to the bottles {30 mins after the water had boiled} then add the formula as an when she wanted a bottle, we use aptimil which also has the built in leveler so no need for a knife!

gem xx

 

[Samemka]

I asked this question a few days ago and someone posted a link to a department of health bulletin which advised that we should make up bottles as we need them (not very practical) OR make them up with water 70degrees or hotter, then store them in the fridge for a max of 24 hours. Powder isn't sterile so boiling the water and putting it into bottles then adding the powder when it's needed is no good as the cool water won't kill any bacteria in the powder (I was doing this for a few days until I read the dept of health bulletin!). So now I'm making them up and keeping them in the fridge/cool bag when I go out - I make up 6 at a time and easily use them within 24hrs.

 

[mellllly]

Aawww thank you - I used to sterilise the knife with my daughter LOL I like to make life hard for myself.

The only thing is - do you find the scoop gets all clogged up with the steam. I found that really annoying.

I was thinking I could put the powder in the bottles first and with a spare sterilised bottle measure out the correct oz and poor in. Do you reckon that will be OK?

Thanks

There wouldnt be any harm in sterilising the knife, yeah I find the scoop gets clogged up.

I have the tomee tippee milk powder dispenser things, so I measure the powder into them whilst I am waiting for the kettle to cool bit, and then pour it in from there.

As long as you have the correct powder/water amount then I am sure that would be fine

 

[Jkelmum]

The new advice is to make them up fresh when you need them but hv said the milk asnt changed so her middle of the night bottle is made and stored in fridge and reheated

 

[sam*~*louize]

I sterilise, whilst steriliser is on boil kettle so it has time to cool.
Leave it for 30mins+ as you burn your bloody hand/clogged up spoon/and mine leak when it's boiling.
I don't sterilise the knife just wash as normal.

I make up 2 of her feeds with powder dispensers and a flask of hot water (these are the daytime feeds and I could be out and about, so having hot water is a lot easier than trying to keep them fridged all day then warm them up) the others are made and fridged.

hth

 

[Charliemarina]

Hey! I make up all my bottles in the morning and then store them in the fridge and heat up as needed.

I dont sterilise the knife I level it off with, your meant to add the powder to cooled boiled water (left up to half an hour) so the hot water kills off any bacteria in the powder

Hope that helps - alot of people do it differently, whatever suits you xx

i also did this exact same thing huns with my 2 kids when my son was born 8 years ago now this was what was actually written on the back of the tins to do make up store in fridge and warm as needed, but over years docs started recommending making as u need them , thie him in the above s is quite inconvieniant to be honest and hard when going out to do and my son was totally fine and never ill from any bottles i made this way i also did this with my daughter she is now 18 months old, the next one i am going to breast feed so i wont be needing bottles hate them lol xxxxx

 

[x-Rainbow-x]

i used the ready made stuff but when i use the powder i

Pre boil the water - put in sterilised bottles and just add the powder when Alex wants it.

i use cow and gate they have an in built leveler thingy , so does aptimil too

 

[sahara]

Thanks ladies - I am going to try and beast feed but this has been a great help.

I think making up 6 at a time and stopring in the fridge will be the way to go

 

[mamalove]

I boil water every couple of hours and just make up and heat bottles as i need them.
I don't have enough space in my fridge for 20 bottles lol

 

[Kirstin]

What do you use to reheat the bottles when you take them out of the fridge?

 

[ribboninthesky]

I boil the water and leave for around the half hour, then add water and forumla and stick the bottles in the fridge.

I did used to make the bottles up with the water and leave them on the side, just adding formula when needed, but I found that the powder wouldn't dissolve properly with the water being room temp - plus the fact that room temp water won't kill any crap in the powder.

I HATE it when the powder sticks to the scoop, but that's a good idea sahara had, by just putting the formula in the empty bottle, the measuring your water with another clean bottle then adding it to the formula!

 

[ribboninthesky]

What do you use to reheat the bottles when you take them out of the fridge?

I ping them in the microwave for 1 minute on medium heat. They don't come out hot at all but it just takes the chill off them.

 

[sarahjanek88]

What do you use to reheat the bottles when you take them out of the fridge?

I ping them in the microwave for 1 minute on medium heat. They don't come out hot at all but it just takes the chill off them.

I've heard and read a few times that this isn't good because it doesn't heat the milk evenly, and might leave some hotspots that will scald your baby.

I just put the bottle into a tub/saucepan/mug of hot water until I think its heated enough. Usually only takes 5 mins.

I'm really glad I came on this thread now because I had been pre-boiling water and leaving the powder till he was needing fed. I'll think twice bout that now!!

 

[ribboninthesky]

What do you use to reheat the bottles when you take them out of the fridge?

I ping them in the microwave for 1 minute on medium heat. They don't come out hot at all but it just takes the chill off them.

I've heard and read a few times that this isn't good because it doesn't heat the milk evenly, and might leave some hotspots that will scald your baby.

I just put the bottle into a tub/saucepan/mug of hot water until I think its heated enough. Usually only takes 5 mins.

I'm really glad I came on this thread now because I had been pre-boiling water and leaving the powder till he was needing fed. I'll think twice bout that now!!

I know that but i just take the chill off so it doesn't even get warm, let alone hot to cause hot spots.

 

[Fossey]

I was thinking I could put the powder in the bottles first and with a spare sterilised bottle measure out the correct oz and poor in. Do you reckon that will be OK?

Thats what I do hun, although I use half boiled water and half cooled boiled water so that when she has the bottle its the right temp.

I just take two bottles out steri, (I use 7oz water) I measure 3 oz water in one bottle, put the powder in the other bottle. Pour in boiling and shake. Then Take out the bottle of cold water I have in the fridge (prepared in the morning) measure out 4oz in the pre sterilised bottle then add that to the milk and shake. All done and ready to drink straight away, no sitting in a jug of cold water for 10 mins while baby screams! Once you get into a routine you'll be fine, and I don't think you need to sterlise the knife cos the hot water will kill anything.

Most mummies make the bottles in advance, I guess you just do it the way that is easiest and more comfortable for you.

I also get the OCD thing! Mine isn't the cleany hygiene one, mine is all numbers but its a royal pain!

 

[please08]

My OH does the bottles so before sterilising them he boils the waters pops the steriliser on after water has boiled and cooled for the 30min's and makes up the bottles, I leave them on the side then til they cool as 'you can't put anything hot in the fridge'.... (I'm 29 and never knew that hmmm) lol, (good job tis him doing the bottles).... and when Lucy wants her bottle I take them from fridge and heat for only 30 seconds so that's by no way hot just the cold sting took outta bottle..... There's not a hope in hell she'd wait 1min not amind saying 5-10mins lol...........