Is there a reason to not make bottles with REALLY hot water?

[MindUtopia]

So here in the UK all the formula packets say to boil the kettle and let the water cool for approximately 30 minutes before mixing a bottle. I usually do this when I can, but occasionally I've been too busy to pre-boil the kettle or my daughter was hungry sooner than I thought and I didn't have time to let it cool for the full 30 minutes (sometimes only 5 or 10 minutes). Is this okay? Is there a reason it's supposed to be 70C and not, say, 90C or boiling when you mix in the formula? I've heard something in the past about the proteins being denatured in water that's too hot, but I'm not sure if this is really true? Or maybe it's just a safety liability from the manufacturer (not wanting to advise people to be handling boiling water in case they burn themselves)? I usually strive to make it as it says on the package but I don't like to pre-make bottles during the day (because they don't smell or taste as good) so sometimes it happens that I need one in a hurry.

 

[Lou1234]

I'm going to keep an eye on this thread as I'd be interested to know the answer.

Have you considered using a flask? I boil the water when I get up and after 30 mins fill the flask. It does me for about 3 feeds so I repeat the process in the evening.

Handy to have the hot water ready if Elizabeth needs feeding sooner than I thought.

 

[sue_88]

Primarily health and safety, not because it will denature any nutrients.

It needs to be no less than 70 meaning above is ok you'll just need to cool longer for baby.

 

[Nicola27]

we also looked into this and i believe it is just so you don't burn yourself! i pour just boiled water into a flask and that then does me for 2 or 3 feeds.

 

[bumblebeexo]

As far as I know it's to help prevent you burning yourself!

 

[MindUtopia]

Thanks, ladies! This is helpful to know.

Yes, I do have a flask and use it when we go out and sometimes at home, but it's a really good one and keeps the water really hot. So if I boil it and add it to the flask, I'd have to wait about 2 hours for it to cool the same amount as if I just waited 30 minutes after boiling the kettle. So it's almost more of a hassle because it takes even more advanced planning.

I was reading about safe formula feeding in a book the other day and they said you just have to wait a few minutes from boiling, not 30 minutes like it says on the formula package. So yeah, I guess it's just a liability issue more than anything.

 

[cupcaker]

I too tried to read around on this and didn't get a straight answer, but the closest I got was it's probably so idiots don't start shaking a whole bottles worth of boiling water all over and burn themselves then blame the company!

There was no way I could keep up with boiling a kettle 30 mins in advance, unless you have a clockwork baby I'm not sure how that can be maintained to the letter. I bailed and got the Tommee Tippee perfect prep machine and haven't regretted a single penny. Brilliant item. I know there are other (free) ways of making it easier but I seriously do not regret a penny for sanity sake. x

 

[cocosianelle]

We were also confused with all the conflicting advice so in the end bought the tommee tippee perfect prep and I must say its been a lifesaver as a FTM.