Formula newbie. Few questions please

[happymomm]

Hi ladies
LO has been breastfed since birth but I have given a odd bottle of formula (pre-made)here and there when out. I now want to switch to combi-feeding for various reasons. Will be starting with one feed a day of formula in the evening and rest BF. Can you pls help with some questions -

- LO is 6 months now. Can I still use first infant milk for a month more and then switch to follow-on milk? (Have already bought a can of SMA first milk)

- Making up bottles - the instructions on the can say to boil the water and make feed within half hour). Is that the best way? What about say a long travel? Can I make 2-3 bottles/ just water and use it during the day by adding powder? At what point is it best to add the powder? (something about bacteria in formula!!!)

- Boiling water - Just put in a regular kettle (takes less than a minute to boil) or put in pan on the hob and let boil for 15-20 minutes?

- How long can I store an already made feed (which LO has not eaten) in the fridge? (I know if the bottle has been in his mouth, then discard after couple of hours)

Thanks for your help! We leave for a long trip this weekend. All help is much appreciated.

 

[Ktothema]

There's no real need to switch to follow on milk at all, so first milk is fine. But you can often get offers on follow on milk so many do switch. They have a slightly different make up but it's nothing major.

The correct (and I use that term loosely!) way is to boil fresh water in a kettle, let it sit for 30 mins, add the formula whilst the water is still hot to kill bacteria then cool for baby. This isn't generally practical though so there are many methods you can use. I fill a flask with boiling water (Once in morning and once in evening) and use this water to make feeds. At night time I make with half hot water, add formula, add half cold water for instant temp bottle. Many people make up feeds as directed on packet, rapid cool then store in fridge to heat up when needed. I personally wouldn't leave the formula in the fridge for longer than 12hrs.

Hope that helps

 

[happymomm]

If I fill the flask with hot water, for how long can I use this water?
Also just want to confirm that is boiling water in a normal kettle for a minute is enough? And won't it go cold in 30 minutes to be able to kill any bacteria?
I am more worried about all the travel. We'll have one very long air travel (will perhaps use pre made from airport) and few longish road trips

 

[Ktothema]

I have a thermos and find the water remains hot enough over 12hrs. We used a different flask before and it didn't keep as long. So it does depend on how well your flask performs! But i have a personal 12hr rule. Id say 24hrs max.

The water has to be at least 70 degrees to kill the bacteria, which leavin he kettle for 30mins is meant to give you. But it doesn't matter if it's hotter (as long as the water isn't on the boil), it just takes longer to cool. I personally think the 30 min rule is a little subjective.

When travelling ready mixes are the way to go. It's far less of a faff. Notably the guidelines in Europe and the us aren't the same as ours, so they tend to use cooled boiled water. The bacteria risk is meant to be minimal. There's nothing stopping you doing this if you felt ok with it, just don't tell a health visitor! Reflux milks and hipp organic are meant to be made with cold/cooler water so it's not fully set in stone here either.

 

[mommy0629]

Can't help with the preperation questions because I'm in the Us and we do it differently, but just wanted to let you know that the first milk is fine and you can actually stay with that one until 12 months if you want.

 

[kat2504]

Using the kettle is totally fine. However, empty out the kettle so that all the water in it is fresh and has only been boiled the once. Leaving it to cool for no more than 30 minutes in the kettle should mean that it is the correct temperature.

First milk is fine - there is never a need for follow on formula but if you want to you can use follow on after 6 months. I personally think first milk is gentler and easier to digest so if follow on causes tummy probs or constipation or whatever, just go back to first milk.

 

[sandilion]

Why can't we use water that has been boiled more than once?

 

[kat2504]

I was led to believe that if water is boiled many times over (as would happen if you don't empty the kettle - the water in the bottom could have been boiled loads) then a concentration of minerals could occur. Haven't bothered to research this myself mind you as when I use formula I just use ready to serve, but the theory does make some sense and it also appears in NHS literature about making up bottle feeds safely https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/Documents/PDFs/Start4Life_Guide_to_bottle_feeding.pdf as p 10 of this leaflet shows

 

[Chloe.E]

I fill my bottles up with boiled water in the evening then put them in the fridge, and add formula when LO is hungry, and put the bottle in hot water to warm it up. I find it alot easier that way instead of boiling the kettle everytime I need to feed him.
I don't have an answer to any of your other questions though, sorry x