So confused... making up bottles?

[LuckyLass]

Ok, so I know you are supposed to make up each bottle when required by boiling the kettle and leaving it 30 mins before mixing formula then cooling under a tap. As this isn't practical for the past 8 weeks I have been filling the bottles with boiled water then storing them at room temperature and adding the powder when needed. LO likes them at room temp.

Today I was told by a medical professional I had to add the powder to water over 70 degrees in order to kill bacteria then cool in a jug of cold water each time. My question is how does anyone know 30-40 mins before their baby will be hungry? (you can't expect them to wait that long). She told me I didn't need to wait the 30 mins just no longer than that but I heard using water too hot can remove some of the milks nutritional value?

Also how do you know when the water is at 70 degrees? Surely each kettle is different, mine seems to keep water hotter for longer than others. If you use a thermometer wouldn't that have to be sterilised? This is so difficult to make them the 'perfect way'. She also told me I could make them and keep them in the fridge for night feeds... Surely that is just as bad as using room temperature water?

How does everyone else make theirs? I will feel so guilty if LO got ill from her bottle. Thanks

 

[HelenFS]

Lots of people do it/have done it the way you currently do and their baby will have never suffered any ill effects but, essentially, it's the worst way to make up milk according to the WHO guidance.
In the ways to make it in terms of risk (1 being the best way)

1: Make it up fresh. This is a whole lot easier when your baby is on fewer bottles or in more of a routine.

2. Pre-make - believe it or not this is actually a much better option than using cooled water yet many seem to consider this riskier. In the WHO guidelines it is given as the 2nd option for children in childcare or if it isn't possible to make fresh. Basically boil, leave up to 30 mins, make up bottles, rapid cool in ice cold water, store at the back of the fridge for up to 24hrs (personally I didn't ever go beyond 12).

3. All options involving water that isn't 70 degrees is the worst possible option BUT your baby (like thousands of others who were fed this way) would most likely be fine.

There are suggestions that you could store water but even the insulated flasks keep the water too hot. Apparently after 12+ hrs it's still around 70 degrees!

If you decide to make fresh then don't worry too much about your kettle, about killing all the nutritional value off etc. You won't. As long as you leave the water to cool for as long as you possibly can you then it should be fine.

I'm speaking as a mum who absolutely OBSESSED about this when bottle feeding my twins (hence all the world health knowledge!!!) So much so that I had to give them ready made cartons for the first 3 months (cost a fortune) as I just couldn't get my head around it all. After that I relaxed and started pre-making.


Xxxx

 

[LuckyLass]

Wow! Thank you so much. That was very helpful! I think I will try making a few and keeping them in the fridge until needed. I can do it twice so that they don't sit for longer than 12 hours. Can I just ask how do you heat them up? Do you use a bottle warmer as I heard using the microwave is a big no no.

Sorry for all the questions. Advice is much appreciated!

P.s we used ready made for a while too but like you said it gets very pricey! xx

 

[skunkpixie]

Yes use a bottle warmer to heat, or stand the bottle in a jug of hot water for a few mins. xx

 

[Mum0709]

Make sure you shake it well once warmed up also so you don't get any ''hot points'' xx