Ready made formula preperation question....

[24/7]

We have decided to FF and plan to start with SMA, as it comes in the large cartons aswell as the small ones, as the powdered forumula seems abit complicated, especially for the begining.

So my question is, can I take all the bottles out of the steriliser at once, fill them with the liquid formula and store them in the fridge? Or do I need to make them up as I go, using the carton in the fridge? Also, before going out can I make up the bottles and store them in a cool bag, and just heat as required when out? Or do I need to take a small carton with me and make as needed?

Hope this makes sense, and thank you in advance for replies. xx

 

[bathbabe]

you fill as many bottles as you like, as long as they get used within 24hrs and kept in the fridge, at the back, not the door! Yeah you can take them out in a bottle bag to keep them cold, then warm then when your out x

 

[24/7]

Brilliant, thank you so much!!
Everything with FF seems to confusing!! xxxx

 

[aliss]

Actually, the powdered formula is a lot less complicated and easier.

Here's the problem: Ready-made formula can be pre-made into bottles but you end up with a lot of wasted formula, as a baby can decide to only drink 1oz out of the 3 or 4oz you make. Over time, that's a *lot* of wasted formula. Babies don't read the directions, LOL. Yes, you can waste powdered too, but it's not as expensive.

Not only that, but when a baby feeds 2-3x per night (and during a growth spurt, 10-12x a night), for several months, you gotta climb out of bed, go to the fridge, warm the bottle (I use the microwave because I just can't wait anymore). Ready made *must* stay cold and be warmed up.

However...

Powdered formula can just be added to room temperature water. You can do this in your own bedroom without needing to get up and go to the kitchen several times a night. Believe me, it makes life a LOT easier. If you have the crib/bassinet in your bedroom, it will make life even more better.

JMO.

We use ready made, as we did it from the first few weeks and now LO refuses any powder or room temp milk. It seemed easier at first, but it's actually a lot more difficult as time goes by. It makes life hell when you need to go out & about from the house. Powder is also cheaper.

Good luck with your decision but money, practicality, etc. - powder is a lot easier.

 

[24/7]

Eeek, something else to think of, I thought ready made would be easier?!
Thank you aliss, I wouldn't have thought of any of that. xx

 

[aliss]

Eeek, something else to think of, I thought ready made would be easier?!
Thank you aliss, I wouldn't have thought of any of that. xx

I didn't think of it either which is why I am in this predicament! LOL!

 

[bathbabe]

adding the powder to room temp water doesnt make the powder sterile. Plenty of people do it this way tho, and their LO's are fine, i used to. Until i decided to premake my bottles. Harrison was sleeping thru the night by that point tho! X

 

[aliss]

adding the powder to room temp water doesnt make the powder sterile. Plenty of people do it this way tho, and their LO's are fine, i used to. Until i decided to premake my bottles. Harrison was sleeping thru the night by that point tho! X

True true, there are no easy solutions unfortunately!

Mine was waking 6-8x a night until 3 months. We're at 2-3x on a good night now at almost 5 months, so ready made was just not the right route to take. Too late!

 

[bathbabe]

its all about finding what works best for you x

 

[sleeping bubs]

We have had both powder when nb up to 6months as his milk only came in powder form (well thats what he was prescriped) pre-term formula we didn't find it too hard as we took hot water in a flask up stair with powder and bottle with some cooled water in, thus when mixed it all up it was hot enough to sterlies the powder but doesn't take to long to cool.

Water is meant to be approx 70oc to setlies the powder.


Now Mckenzie is on another prescription milk which only come in liquid form I take a bottle out and the carton and pour the whole lot in I do throw away alot of formula however he does sometimes drink the whole 250mls. We used to pour a bit in then store in fridge for 24hrs. (SMA high energy formula)

So either way you will find the way for you

 

[daniellelk]

When I used ready made, I left it in the carton's until I needed it then put it in a sterilsed bottle. BUT I only used it for a week or so now, I wouldn't know how i'd do it with ready made stuff now, it's just so much easier to make up bottles my self, like someone else said, there would be alot of waste from a ready made carton. Before I had H, I worried about making bottles up. Now I make so many bottles up in a morning, store them at the back of the fridge and warm up as I need them.

 

[WW1]

I used ready made lots when LO was smaller and I still use it when we go out. For me it is so much easier to take a sterilised bottle and carton & just open it when I need to.

I make powdered bottles by boiling the kettle, letting it cool for 20 mins ish and then making the milk. To do that in the middle of the night would be hideous so we used cartons (kept a cool box and bottle warmer in the nursery in the early days). She doesn't often wake in the night anymore (thankfully!) but if she does I'd use a carton rather than powder.

It is more expensive to use cartons but I've found it to be very convenient.

 

[Mrs A]

In actual fact i found powder just as easy as cartons, we are constantly filling nd reboiling our kettle anyway. but my formula is made with preboiled room temp water so that makes it far easier now, but i used to use sma