Just starting ff - some questions

[sunshine114]

We have just changed from bfing to ff, today is the first day lo will have had formula all day but there are some things I'm not sure on and need some advice from real mums!

During the day we make each feed fresh (usually giving lo a dummy while we wait!) and at night we use the ready made cartons as lo has been losing the little weight he had we are being a bit over cautious! At the moment he has 90ml so the carton does the 2 night feeds. When he's on 120ml can we give him the leftover 80ml to start with in one bottle, then top up with 40ml from a new carton in a new bottle? I wouldn't mix the two cartons together, but it seems a shame to waste 80ml each time!!

When we are out and about we will also use the cartons. What do you do with the leftovers in the carton as it says to refrigerate immediately after opening?

How many dirty nappies should we expect? So far, when combi feeding lo has had 4-6 dirty nappies a day. Will this go down? He still has a wet at least every feed.

Thank you! x

 

[sunshine114]

Oh, and today my boobs are feeling a bit painful. So far they have coped with the decline in pumping, but I'm not sure what to do for the best... Grin and bear it, or express a few ml to get comfortable for a few days, gradually pumping less volume?

 

[Odd Socks]

good luck for your first day ff!
i make about 3 bottles up for bella at a time, rapidly cool them down & store them in the fridge for when she needs them, as she gets really upset when she gets hungry & her dummy gets spat out several times, & she has tantrums, which i can't bear. i just take a bottle out & warm it when she needs it. i can often pre-empt when she needs a feed (either by time - she generally feeds every 4-5 hours, or by picking up on her signals), so i can have the bottle waiting for her when she realises she's hungry!
yes, you can mix the cartons of formula, just store the open one in the fridge until you're ready to use it. we've always done this. as for what to do if you're out & about, i have an extra bottle with me, & empty the rest of the carton into that, then store it in a coolbag, with ice blocks (you can keep the bottle for 4 hours this way, i believe).
xx

 

[sunshine114]

Thank you, I think we will make up bottles in advance when he is aittle bigger and a little stronger. He is literally skin and bones at the moment so we are really over cautious!

Thanks for the tip about the cool bag and ice blocks, that makes sense!

 

[MrsVenn]

Welcome to FF hun!

I make up feeds in advance if this is of any help using boiling water, add formula and then cool rapidly. I try not to leave them in the fridge any longer than 12 hours but it's hard to plan ahead on how many you need if baby doesn't have a routine yet. I usually make up 3 bottles before going to bed which will cover her night feed, morning feed and top up. I then make 3 more bottles at lunch time to use in the day and then that's her lot. If she doesn't finish a feed, we do sling it but Inow have a pretty good idea on how much she takes at each feed so waste a lot less now than we did when we first started.

With leftovers in the carton, just clip it and put it in a thermos packed lunch bag/bottle holder with ice in. Just use a fresh bottle and it'll be fine.

As for dirty nappies, well when madam was BF, she had one after every feed so that was a LOT. Then when she went on to FF, she dropped to about 6, then down to about 3. We're now giving her Colief which has upped them somewhat back to 6ish a day. As long as they're weeing loads and has a bowel movement a dayish, that's fine.

Good luck!!

 

[Odd Socks]

oh, i also meant to say, about the engorged breasts, if you're feeling uncomfortable, just hand express some milk. i stopped completely 2 weeks ago, & haven't had any pain at all. i'm still producing minimal amounts of milk, but tend to hand express a little off a couple of times a day.
xx

 

[sunshine114]

Thanks, I'll try hand expressing, I became quite a pro at it in the hospital! Will be less painful than a pump for sure!

Dan used to have a dirty nappy after every feed as well, it has gradually dropped over the last couple of days as we introduced more formula, but now today he hasn't been since 5pm yesterday which kind of worries me. He doesn't seem uncomfortable though, and has had lots of wet ones.

 

[sunshine114]

Forget that about the dirty nappy, he just had the biggest poop ever! It has to break records! Makes up for not having lots of little ones!

 

[NokiaPurple16]

ive found that puting the boiled water in my lo bottles and puting them in the fridge and then when they start to cool down and are at the right temprture, take them out and leave them on the side at room tempreture then when she wants a feed jst but the milk powder in... its SOOO much easier that way lol

 

[beachlover1]

I wouldnt worry too much about the pooie nappies. My LO has one a day sometimes one every other day on formula. The Doc and MW said thats fine x

 

[sunshine114]

Thanks, I seem to panic over everything! First too many dirty nappies, then too few... I drive myself mad sometimes!!!

 

[aliss]

It's also hard to judge nappies right now because he's transitioning from one kind of food to another. Sounds like he (and you!!!) are doing great

 

[sunshine114]

Aww thanks x