New to formula feeding,any help appreciated

[ozysanj]

Hi ladies,
I've been exclusively expressing for 6 months and now dropped most of the pumping sessions,starting solids slowly and using the freezer stash of EBM.I want to start the formula as well and I have questions.hope you can answer
* we use filtered water at home,is it ok for baby?on the formula tin it says don't use softened water.Do you use tap water or bottled water( boiled of course)
*do you feed your little one with bottle or beaker?
*do you pre prepare feeds if so how do you store them,a collegue said she used to keep them in the fridge,is that ok?
thanks

 

[skunkpixie]

Hey there.

The recommended way to make up a feed is as follows:

1. Boil freshly run tap water and leave to cool in the kettle for 20-30 mins (the water should still be above 70c when making the feed).
2. Add correct amount of water to sterilised bottle.
3. Add correct number or scoops.
4. Shake to mix.
5. rapid cool the bottle in a bowl of cold water or under a cold running tap as it will still be hot.
6. Once cooled feed immeadiatly.

If you wanted to make a few feeds in one go for use throughout the day then follow up until step 6 and instead of feeding, put cooled bottles in the back of the fridge and use within 24 hours. When baby needs a feed just take a pre-made bottle from the fride and warm in a bowl of warm water, it is not recommended to heat in the microwave as hotspots can form in the milk.
The World Health Organisation and UK government stress the improtance that feeds are prepared with hot water at a temperature of 70c as formula powder is not sterile and can potentially (but rarely) contain deadly bacteria, so the hot water will desdtroy any bacteria present in the formula.

Hope this helps. xxxx

 

[mitchnorm]

I switched from ebf to ff gradually from 3 months old. I know the guidlines state.makes a fresh bottle.everytime....water 70 degrees...cool...etc etc but thats not overly.practical. my friend is a neonatal nurse and she does hers how they do them on the ward apparently. Always boiled water (i let the tap run for a while....totally.fresh water in kettle)....sterilise the bottles and pour the water (i let it cool slightly as to not burn fingers) to the required level in bottle and i leave on the side in kitchen room temperature until i need them. I always make enough for 24 hours only.....and throw away and redo after this time. When she needs a feed i simply add the powder and shake well. I used to warm slightly at first....now only her first and last bottles of.day are warmed slightly...others given at RT.

My LO is just over 5 months...she still has a bottle. Plan to wean off that at 12 months approx...recommended. i have tried to give water in beaker to get her used to it...but no real success yet.

Even if your water is filtered i would always boils first x