HELP! Bottle making suggestions needed!

[Nafretili]

Hello!

I am using Cow & Gate Infant Milk formula.

The instructions state to boil a fresh lot of water in the kettle, leave it to cool for 30 minutes before adding the mixture.

Which is RIDICULOUS! How can you wait 30 minutes with a crying hungry baby? I think it's daft!

So what I'd like to know, is how you ladies prepare your bottles!

I need tips and tricks on how to do it!

* Do you prepare multiple bottles at a time?
* How do you store them?
* How do you make them up?
* How often?

Thanks everyone I appreciate any response!

UPDATE:

Thank you so much for the ideas everyone! They have really helped a lot.
My chosen method is the following:

Boil the water, fill the bottles, mix in the formula and cool them down in a dish of cold water, then refrigerate them as soon as they've cooled.
Then when shes hungry I heat for 4 minutes in my bottle warmer.

Quick and safe and by the rules!

 

[Bex1408]

Hiya! I'm interested to know what everone does as well! I use aptamil and the instructions r the same! What I do is follow instruction but I don't leave it to cook for 30mins, I leave it for about 5! I think they advise 30 mins because then its about 70 degrees and the water has to be above that temp to sterilise the powder. And they don't want u to do it too soon incase u scald yourself putting the powder in!
Iv bought a tommee tippee travel bottle warmer which is just a flask and if I'm out or in the night I boil the kettle and phill that up and that keeps the water hot for ages which saves time!
Also with most milks once u make it up u have 2 hours before u need to chuck it so if u know she will be due a feed soon u can make one up and as long as she drinks it in the next 2 hours it's fine!
Xxx

 

[Bumblebee117]

hi there!

I asked myself the same question and started doing the following:

I boiled the kettle and put it in a sterile container (holds about 350ml) to cool down, that way I can mix the hot, freshly boiled water with cooled boiled water when my son needed a bottle.

I sterilise the container every 3 days or so just to be safe but nothing else but boiled water ever was in it!

The water just has to be boiled because it contains germs from the tap like chlorine and limestone. so once boiled that stuff is gone!

To be even quicker I bought a formula dispenser (for days out normally) and fill it with the amount of formula he has in each bottle. those dispensers hold 3 portions so I literally had/have a bottle in about 3 minutes if he was/is very hungry.

He is nearly 5 months now and is quite patient and can wait for about 5-10 minutes without getting upset.

I miss the breastfeeding days where I just had to get my boob out! At least one of my twins is still breastfeeding... my silly son refused my breast after his very first pumped bottle... but at least his tummy is much better since we use formula so happy for him (and daddy can help out too )

hope that helps!

 

[dgirllamius]

I make mine ahead, I can't be leaving Lena for 30 minutes while the water settles down to a suitable temperature.

I make 4 or 5 up at a time (any more and it just seems wasted as my midwife said not to store them more than 24 hours). I boil the kettle and let it settle for about 30 or 40 minutes and then make them up and pop them in the fridge. When it comes to needing them, I put one in the microwave for about 30 seconds and give it a good shake...job done. We've had no problems with it and Lena is a happy baby and feeds well.

If I need one super fast I will boil the kettle, put water in bottle then put the bottle in some cold water to cool it down. Still takes about 10 minutes or so so I make sure I make them up ready. I can't be faffing about with bottles and there's nothing more heartbreaking than hearing your baby crying and waiting for a bottle.

 

[Nafretili]

Wow thanks for the replies everyone!
It seems daft doesn't it? I'm sure it's just precautionary.
As my DH just said, you buy the ready to drink formula and you can leave that in the fridge, so what's the harm in mixing the exact same thing yourself?

Great idea with the flask of warm water by the way!

I make mine ahead, I can't be leaving Lena for 30 minutes while the water settles down to a suitable temperature.

I make 4 or 5 up at a time (any more and it just seems wasted as my midwife said not to store them more than 24 hours). I boil the kettle and let it settle for about 30 or 40 minutes and then make them up and pop them in the fridge. When it comes to needing them, I put one in the microwave for about 30 seconds and give it a good shake...job done. We've had no problems with it and Lena is a happy baby and feeds well.

If I need one super fast I will boil the kettle, put water in bottle then put the bottle in some cold water to cool it down. Still takes about 10 minutes or so so I make sure I make them up ready. I can't be faffing about with bottles and there's nothing more heartbreaking than hearing your baby crying and waiting for a bottle.

That's great hun I think I'm gonna do this.
Do they have to be cool when you put them in the fridge? Or is 30-40 minutes enough to cool the water down enough?

 

[Bex1408]

Yea the flask is brilliant, it's tommee tippee travel bottle warmer.u can use the hot water to make up feeds or use it to heat up bottles cuz u can stand the bottles in the lid with some of the water. Fits nicely in my changing bag as well! X

 

[bumpin2012]

For my lo, we mix up a batch using double the amount of powder. Then when baby is hungry, we heat up the previously boiled water to hot (not boiling) and mix equal amounts of hot water and formula. Bottle is the perfect temp, and it takes less than 2 minutes to do.

 

[Bernie16]

I do the same as dgirllamius make 4-6 in advance and store in the fridge. I usually let them cool down on the side for a bit before putting them in the fridge. This is a perfectly acceptable way to make bottles. On my formula tin it says make up at the time but on their website it says if you do make them in advance store in fridge and use within 24 hours. It also tells you this in the NHS birth to five book as well!

I then heat in a jug of boiled water during the day and use a Nuby deluxe bottle warmer at night as it sits perfectly on the bedside table and means I dont have to go downstairs at all hours! x

 

[ellebelle]

Which is RIDICULOUS! How can you wait 30 minutes with a crying hungry baby? I think it's daft!

Well you get the water ready well in advance.

At my mom's house I would have boiled water and split it into bottles, or have it in a container ready to mix with formula as I needed it. I either kept the water out on the counter, or if it was mixed, had it in the fridge.

Alternatively, I'd boil water in a kettle every morning and use the water from the kettle throughout the day, turning it on to warm the water slightly and make a bottle from there. Then I'd have a nice warm bottle in 30 SECONDS! Without having to use the microwave. Hope that helps.

 

[Nafretili]

Which is RIDICULOUS! How can you wait 30 minutes with a crying hungry baby? I think it's daft!

Well you get the water ready well in advance.

She doesn't have a pattern she feeds randomly

 

[HellBunny]

I've always pre-made with both babies, i don't know if anyone else does but this is what i do..

Sterilise the 4 bottles
boil kettle
fill with amount of water
put in powder, shake
put to the back of the fridge

when finley wants a bottle i boil the kettle, pour boilin water in a jug and pop the bottle in the jug until its room temp/warm x

Sticking to the guide would be impossible since Finley feeds every 1-3 hours in the day and 45minutes - 3 hours at night, too unpredictable and i wouldn't wake him to be fed unless he was less than a couple of weeks old or not gaining or poorly or something. He always wakes up himself to be fed.. never had to wake either babies.

30 minutes is ridiculous, i can't imagine making finley wait 30 minutes he would be hysterical and worn out

 

[ellebelle]

Which is RIDICULOUS! How can you wait 30 minutes with a crying hungry baby? I think it's daft!

Well you get the water ready well in advance.

She doesn't have a pattern she feeds randomly

Yes, so if I were you I would boil some water in the morning and have that clean water ready to use through the day, and when that water is getting low, boil some more and it will be cooled off when you need it later.

I think boiling it and then measuring some out in bottles and keeping the water out on the counter and adding your formula when she's hungry should do the trick?

Also if you're in a pinch I've found hot water in a bottle can cool down fairly quick when placed in a dish or pot of really cold water!

 

[dgirllamius]

That's great hun I think I'm gonna do this.
Do they have to be cool when you put them in the fridge? Or is 30-40 minutes enough to cool the water down enough?

I let them cool down a bit then stick them at the back of the fridge. Late at night I just put them in as they are, I don't think it does any harm and my midwife said it was fine to do so.

 

[mammy2oaklen]

i used to make bottles up with boiled water 2/3rds of what he would take and store in fridge then when he was hungry id boil the kettle and make up the remaining1/3rd with the just boiled water and then add the formular and the milk would always be at the correct temp.

 

[abic77]

Hi hun,

I am using SMA powder (for newborns) and it does say to let the boiled water cool for no longer than 30 mins. It also says to use fresh water (not reboiled) too as you have already said.

Appreciate all the advice the other ladies have given but with a newborn myself (she's 5 weeks on Monday) i would be afraid to do anything other than what the instructions say!

I therefore boil the kettle with fresh water.
Wait about 5 mins
Add water and formula
Pop into a bowl of cold water to cool to a temp suitable for baby.

It does take 10-15 mins but i am happy to wait knowing that this is the safest way at such a young age! I hate listening to her crying (screaming!) for a bottle but it's normal and won't do her any harm!

THe midwife and HV both told me never to reheat formula so i wouldnt dare!!!!!

 

[Nafretili]

Thanks!

What I've done is boil the water in advance and let it cool, filled all 6 bottles and refrigerated them, then when shes hungry I add the powder to a bottle of the water, and heat for 4 minutes in my bottle warmer.

Quick and safe and by the rules!

 

[abic77]

Which bottle warmer do u have?? Basically, the powder is not sterile & therefore the water needs to be at a certain temp to kill the bacteria....does the bottle Warner specifically say its safe? Had the midwife said its ok?
I'd LOVE to find an alternative to waiting around if u can tell me it's ok & which bottle warmer u have?

 

[dgirllamius]

My milk says the milk needs to be added at around 50 degrees c. Obviously all milks are different. Best to consult the packet and see what your milk needs.

 

[baby_mama87]

Which bottle warmer do u have?? Basically, the powder is not sterile & therefore the water needs to be at a certain temp to kill the bacteria....does the bottle Warner specifically say its safe? Had the midwife said its ok?
I'd LOVE to find an alternative to waiting around if u can tell me it's ok & which bottle warmer u have?

A bottle warmer won't kill the bacteria as the water has to be at 70 degrees I would think the only way you can be sure is making up full feeds with boiled water then rapid cool and store in your fridge. Lots of ladies on here do this with no problems.

I use half boiled cooled water in bottles then store in fridge and top up with boiling water from flask when LO wants a feed and bottle is just right temp!

Xxx

 

[Bex1408]

Hi hun,

I am using SMA powder (for newborns) and it does say to let the boiled water cool for no longer than 30 mins. It also says to use fresh water (not reboiled) too as you have already said.

Appreciate all the advice the other ladies have given but with a newborn myself (she's 5 weeks on Monday) i would be afraid to do anything other than what the instructions say!

I therefore boil the kettle with fresh water.
Wait about 5 mins
Add water and formula
Pop into a bowl of cold water to cool to a temp suitable for baby.

It does take 10-15 mins but i am happy to wait knowing that this is the safest way at such a young age! I hate listening to her crying (screaming!) for a bottle but it's normal and won't do her any harm!

THe midwife and HV both told me never to reheat formula so i wouldnt dare!!!!!

This is exactly how I do mine! I know loads of people make them up in advance but I'm too worried about going against instruction especially when it says to not reheat! If it's been a few hours since her last feed I make one up then as I know she will be ready for it soon and as long as its eaten within 2 hours it's fine.
X