Getting out - making feeds & cool bag for Dr Browns bottles - any recommendations?

[Salt Air]

Hi all,

So, I am new to this FF lark as I am mostly breastfeeding, but as I have not been able to figure out how to BF comfortably in public I have started giving formula if we have visitors etc.
I want to be able to go out more too (& not just legging it to the shops inbetween feeds!) so trying to get organised & figure out how to make this easy & safe.

So...

1) what is the best way for me to prepare feeds for going out?

And

2) I am currently using the tall Dr Browns bottles, so can anyone please point me in the direction of a thermal bag that the bottles will fit in? A link to where I can buy online would be great! There's plenty of cool bags etc on Amazon but I don't want to buy one & find the bottles don't fit (like they don't fit in my steriliser, grr!)

Thanks for any help!

 

[chezababy]

Stalking this as i have a 3 week old who is bottle fed as refused the breast. I really don't understand how people make feds for when they are out as all the different rules seem to make it impossible.

 

[kimbob89]

When i go out i prepare the feed and pop it in a coll bag until needed, my lo is not too bothered about the temperature! Im not sure re: dr browns bottles as i use avent. You could also consider getting ready made cartons that are already sterilised and prepared so youll just need to pop it into an empty bottle. HTH

Edit: cool bag i meant, damn phone

 

[kitty_el]

I use the Dr Brown bottles, if we go out I make a bottle or two up and take them with us (I would use the pre-prepared but baby has special milk).
I use the tommy tippie bottle holders - the large size ones and they fit the Dr Brown bottles, the reason I use these is because we got them free with the tommy tippie bottles before we got before the Brown ones xx

 

[MindUtopia]

If I am going somewhere and I know my daughter is going to eat really soon (like as soon as we get there, within the hour), I just make up a bottle and bring it with me stored at room temperature. I know her internal clock pretty well, so sometimes this is easier than making up a bottle on the go or cooling it to re-heat. I know they say it's best to cool them right away, but it also says you can use them anytime within 2 hours, so for me, I think this is fine. I'm very careful about hygiene when sterilising and handling bottles.

Otherwise, I bring a thermos with boiled water (I cool it a bit from boiling temp but not the full 30 minutes I would to make bottles up at home because it will cool slightly in the thermos), formula powder in a powder dispenser and a sterile bottle. I just make it up when I need it and cool wherever we are (under running water or in a bowl of cold water or ice). This is easiest for me because I like to make the bottles fresh when I can and not have to worry too much about storing them at the right temp when we're on the go. Not sure about the Dr. Brown's bottles though as we've never used them.

 

[chezababy]

I spoke to my health visitor and she said it was fine to make up bottles before going out and then keep them cool and reheat whilst out. I have tommee tippee bottles so thinking of getting a travel warmer to use to heat bottles whilst we are out. At the moment I make the bottles and keep them warm but that does mean having to use them within 2 hours which is annoying as you have to time LO's feeds and how long you are out for.

 

[anna1986]

I just put boiled water into the dr brown bottles then take the measured amount of powder in a powder despenser then when baby wants feeding put powder in water shake n feed. Easy! Have done this with my daughter n am now doing it with my son
HTH x

 

[kitty_el]

I just put boiled water into the dr brown bottles then take the measured amount of powder in a powder despenser then when baby wants feeding put powder in water shake n feed. Easy! Have done this with my daughter n am now doing it with my son
HTH x

Anna - you said you use Dr Brown's bottles & shake them? - do you not have issues with leakage? if I try and make babies bottles in the Brown's bottles milk leaks out everywhere. I have to mix in a tommie tippie and then pour in (which is a bit of a faff lol)

 

[anna1986]

Kitty - yes they do leak. I read somewhere to swirl them instead but they still leak. I only make my babys bottles up with preboiled water n warmed ( like how i do it when out) as the formula hes on has to be made with water thats cooler than 50c) when i shake them afterwarming them i put a muslin cloth or bib around the cap then any leakage goes on that.
If ur making your bottles with boiling water then the travel caps are the better things to use stops all leakages. These are wat i used when i used to make mine with hot water.

 

[kettle28]

One of dr browns instructions is to not shake the feed as it causes air bubbles (most use dr browns for colic/trapped wind) you are supposed to stir with the blue reservoir thingy ( read that AFTER getting covered in milk!!)