help!! the professionals have confused me

Danielle - posted on 09/06/2011

We used bottled water for the little boy I babysit. I personally used the liquid formula for my son. It was much easier for me and quicker.

Emma - posted on 07/17/2009

Hi Samantha, you poor thing with all this conflicting advice and you'll still be so hormonal with your baby only being weeksI congratulations by the way. x I had exactly the same feeding issue as you with my 1st child. At 2 weeks I was told to introduce formula as I was not producing enough breastmilk and my son was failing to thrive. It was a traumatic time-so I don't judge you at all. I did however mixed feed (breastfeed with formula top ups) and so was able to partially breastfeed for 6 months. Has no-one discussed this option with you? If you would like more advice on this then post me.

As a health care professional myself I'm actually surprised you've been given bottle making advice at all-midwives have to follow a strict code of advocating breast as best (something I'm not always in agreement with as it can bully people like us who formula fed out of neccessity rather than choice).

I do however know the recommended guidelines for formula making are to freshly boil a kettle of tap water (do not keep re-boiling water). Put the boiling water up to the level in the bottle you wish, add the correct number of levelled scoops of formula powder , put on the lid, shake and cool under cold running tap water. Test the milk on your wrist, it should be tepid (you should hardly feel it as it should be blood temp)

Everyone will be different, but these are the safe guidelines fro preventing risk of tummy upset/constipation etc. P.s a bottle should be thrown away after a maximum of 2 hours. When going out and about the pre-made cartons are a good option. Pp.s it is now only neccessary to sterilise up to 6 months old.

Good luck, and if its possible (with having an older child) get some nice quality time with you+baby by joining a post natal or baby massage class. Enjoy your new baby X

Mel - posted on 07/13/2009

Quoting Dawn:

Quoting Melissa:

Quoting Tamara:

Quoting Charissa:

FOR YOUR INFORMATION,  Tamara, I was very comfortable with my decision not to breastfeed my first child and he and I have the most wonderful and loving relationship with him today.  AND IT WAS NOT OUT OF VANITY that I stopped breastfeeding my first child.  I am seriously offended that you have judged my decision without any knowledge of my situation.  I may not have had a "MEDICAL" reason to stop breastfeeding my child but it was a very personal reason and YOU have no right to judge that.  AND, in case you didn't read my entire response, I did breastfeed my 2nd child and that was also A PERSONAL DECISION.  No mother should ever, ever be pressured to breastfeed their child.

Again, you misconstrue my words.  I never said that I judge people that make a decision using the best knowledge they have to them.  I ONLY judge those who have researched and know the benefits but refuse to do so out of vanity, etc.  Please realize that I'm not trying to be judgemental, I only want to help the OP fix what ever problem, whether real or percieved, she has instead of switching to the far more expensive method of formula.

Dont worry Charissa, she is one of the breast feeding nazis, who believes breast is best etc etc. dont worry about it. you know you did the right thing and made your own choice and that is all that matters. i formula fed mine to. best decision i ever made, actually the hospital made it for me but i still so glad i got in early enough before my daughter turned into skin and bones from breast milk. Try not to take these things to personally

"breast feeding nazis" - thats very funny - breast milk is best for babies but if a mother can't breast feed then formula will do as a subsitute.  there are many benifits for both mother and baby when u breastfeed. and as for breast fed babies turing to skin and bones - what a load of crap, my baby has been breast fed from birth and at 9 weeks she is on the 98th percentile on the weight chart - far from skin and bones!!!!!

many new mothers feel too self consious about feeding in public so will bottle feed from the start. attitudes towards breastfeeding need to seriously change so that those who want to breastfeed can do so.

did i say i had a problem with mothers who choose to BF? nope dont think so. i just said in some cases its actually not best. perhaps you have not had a prem baby , and nor have i but in alot of cases they have to give them formula for weight gain because breast milk isnt enough and in FTT babies they are often put on formula. so no not a load of crap actually

Diandra - posted on 07/13/2009

I never heard of the powdered milk having bacteria......I have 3 children, my last was both bottle and breast fed. I fixed the bottles the way you were doing, leaving baby water at room temp and adding powdered milk when ready. My son loved the milk that way.....loved is so much that when it was time to switch to whole milk he didn't want it cold.

Chantel - posted on 07/13/2009

Quoting Michelle:

We always boiled the water in the kettle first and then just left it at room temp and added the formula when we needed it. Good luck:)

I did the exact same thing:)

Alana - posted on 07/13/2009

The health official is riight sweetie

Kim - posted on 07/13/2009

hi Samantha, my son did the same what i did was put the hot water in the bottles, let the water cool then put a days worth in the fridge, then as baby wants them put the milk powder in and shake well then put the bottle in a jug of hot water, untill it is the right temp.

Dawn - posted on 07/13/2009

Quoting Melissa:

Quoting Tamara:

Quoting Charissa:

FOR YOUR INFORMATION,  Tamara, I was very comfortable with my decision not to breastfeed my first child and he and I have the most wonderful and loving relationship with him today.  AND IT WAS NOT OUT OF VANITY that I stopped breastfeeding my first child.  I am seriously offended that you have judged my decision without any knowledge of my situation.  I may not have had a "MEDICAL" reason to stop breastfeeding my child but it was a very personal reason and YOU have no right to judge that.  AND, in case you didn't read my entire response, I did breastfeed my 2nd child and that was also A PERSONAL DECISION.  No mother should ever, ever be pressured to breastfeed their child.

Again, you misconstrue my words.  I never said that I judge people that make a decision using the best knowledge they have to them.  I ONLY judge those who have researched and know the benefits but refuse to do so out of vanity, etc.  Please realize that I'm not trying to be judgemental, I only want to help the OP fix what ever problem, whether real or percieved, she has instead of switching to the far more expensive method of formula.

Dont worry Charissa, she is one of the breast feeding nazis, who believes breast is best etc etc. dont worry about it. you know you did the right thing and made your own choice and that is all that matters. i formula fed mine to. best decision i ever made, actually the hospital made it for me but i still so glad i got in early enough before my daughter turned into skin and bones from breast milk. Try not to take these things to personally

"breast feeding nazis" - thats very funny - breast milk is best for babies but if a mother can't breast feed then formula will do as a subsitute.  there are many benifits for both mother and baby when u breastfeed. and as for breast fed babies turing to skin and bones - what a load of crap, my baby has been breast fed from birth and at 9 weeks she is on the 98th percentile on the weight chart - far from skin and bones!!!!!

many new mothers feel too self consious about feeding in public so will bottle feed from the start. attitudes towards breastfeeding need to seriously change so that those who want to breastfeed can do so.

Lidia - posted on 07/13/2009

Quoting Autumn:

I have a family that is always on the go, we settled for spring bottled water at room temp. If you start to heat it, then you always have to heat it. I refused to place bottles in a microwave, and boiling wither isn't readily available when your not home. Same though on heated baby wipes, don’t let the child get used to them, or your stuck.

As a breastfeeding mom, I just can't understand this advice.  Doesn't every mom want the best for thier child?  Just because the child doesn't know any better, does that mean we should settle for second-best?  I am not going to make this about breastfeeding versus breastmilk substitutes... however, I can't imagine feeding my child room-temp bottles for fear that she should come to expect warm over room-temp.  Of course she'll expect it- who would want to drink room-temp formula?  Along the same thinking, should we start to bathe our kids in cold water, since they don't know any better and won't expect warm water?  Should we have them sleep on the floor, so that  they won't come to expect a mattress?  As a deeply dedicated mother of two, and a committed breastfeeder, I just cannot understand giving something to my child that is less desirable simply to avoid the hassles of having to warm it up.  That seems lazy at best, if not selfish.  And although I have replied to this one particular post, I know that many people have expressed the same opinion.  I just don't get it.

As an aside, we are a very active family as well, and have found breastfeeding, along with our sling for carrying baby, to be all that we really need when leaving the house.

Autumn - posted on 07/10/2009

I have a family that is always on the go, we settled for spring bottled water at room temp. If you start to heat it, then you always have to heat it. I refused to place bottles in a microwave, and boiling wither isn't readily available when your not home. Same though on heated baby wipes, don’t let the child get used to them, or your stuck.

Kristy - posted on 07/10/2009

Never give a baby a made bottle if it has been out of frig. for more then 2 hours. The milk spoils if you do. Its been a few yrs but I always boiled water and put it in the bottle to the 4 oz or 8oz which ever he was drinking at that time and added the powder when it was time to feed. My boys liked it a bit warm so I would fill a glass from the tap with hot water and wait for the milk to warm up to temp. I would go with what your midwife has said.

Nadya - posted on 07/10/2009

I stopped breastfeeding at 2 weeks due to severe deep tissue damage. Form the moment I put my daughter unto formula, it was heaven in our house. I re lactated and re latched at 7 weeks, but at 14 weeks she refused to take the breast anymore and we went with her decision (simply because I cannot bear to hear my child cry for food),

The first time I was unable to continue breastfeeding I felt tremendously inadequate and very sad. I cried for days until my best friend so very elegantly told me not to feel bad 'stress kills people, not formula'.

Breastfeeding or not is your choice and sometimes not so much. But whatever you decide to do, feed your baby from your heart and soul and the method will not matter.

I came from a family that did not have the support system to breastfeed, eventhough I had a midwife, no on e in my family had breastfed for more than a few weeks. I will RAISE my daughter with the idea that breasts are for milk one day and I will help her prepare as I was unable to. But whatever her choice, I will accept and understand it.

Deann - posted on 07/10/2009

I had to swirch to bottle feeding after only 1 week for medical issues that required me to take medication.....we never warmed bottles or water......we had a filter attached to the sink but if that was not available they sell nursery water by the jug and we just mixed per the formula cans instructions.

Mel - posted on 07/09/2009

Quoting Tamara:

Quoting Charissa:

FOR YOUR INFORMATION,  Tamara, I was very comfortable with my decision not to breastfeed my first child and he and I have the most wonderful and loving relationship with him today.  AND IT WAS NOT OUT OF VANITY that I stopped breastfeeding my first child.  I am seriously offended that you have judged my decision without any knowledge of my situation.  I may not have had a "MEDICAL" reason to stop breastfeeding my child but it was a very personal reason and YOU have no right to judge that.  AND, in case you didn't read my entire response, I did breastfeed my 2nd child and that was also A PERSONAL DECISION.  No mother should ever, ever be pressured to breastfeed their child.

Again, you misconstrue my words.  I never said that I judge people that make a decision using the best knowledge they have to them.  I ONLY judge those who have researched and know the benefits but refuse to do so out of vanity, etc.  Please realize that I'm not trying to be judgemental, I only want to help the OP fix what ever problem, whether real or percieved, she has instead of switching to the far more expensive method of formula.

Dont worry Charissa, she is one of the breast feeding nazis, who believes breast is best etc etc. dont worry about it. you know you did the right thing and made your own choice and that is all that matters. i formula fed mine to. best decision i ever made, actually the hospital made it for me but i still so glad i got in early enough before my daughter turned into skin and bones from breast milk. Try not to take these things to personally

Josephine - posted on 07/09/2009

we use tap water filtered trough a brita filter and serve at room temperature.

Stacey - posted on 07/09/2009

I have had 3 kids and used the powder formula for each. I never boiled the water. One reason to use the powder is how easy and convienent it is.

Christie - posted on 07/09/2009

You don't have to warm there bottles!!! i did with my son and now i wish i hadn't because he will now only take them warm which is a pain when we are out. But i started it because he was breastfeed for 6 months. My sister in-law has a 2 months old and she gives her room temp bottles and she is just fine. i thk you should do whatever make you comfortable.

Alana - posted on 07/09/2009

We always boiled my daughters water, filled a few bottles and let them cool at room temp. We then added the formula at feeding time. If we were rushed we sometimes added it to the hot water and then put the bottle in the fridge or freezer to chill quickly. Our GP said this was fine and our daughter didnt get sick from it. I persevered with breastfeeding for 6 months which was an awful time for both me and bub. Being born 4.5kg Charli was a hungry little bub and I simply was not making enough milk. When we switched to formula at 6 mths she was drinking over 1.5L a day! From that moment on we were both happier and Charli slept much better. Breastfeeding is a personal choice as is method of birth, time to potty train etc and no one should attack another mothers decision.

Tamara - posted on 07/09/2009

Quoting Charissa:

FOR YOUR INFORMATION,  Tamara, I was very comfortable with my decision not to breastfeed my first child and he and I have the most wonderful and loving relationship with him today.  AND IT WAS NOT OUT OF VANITY that I stopped breastfeeding my first child.  I am seriously offended that you have judged my decision without any knowledge of my situation.  I may not have had a "MEDICAL" reason to stop breastfeeding my child but it was a very personal reason and YOU have no right to judge that.  AND, in case you didn't read my entire response, I did breastfeed my 2nd child and that was also A PERSONAL DECISION.  No mother should ever, ever be pressured to breastfeed their child.

Again, you misconstrue my words.  I never said that I judge people that make a decision using the best knowledge they have to them.  I ONLY judge those who have researched and know the benefits but refuse to do so out of vanity, etc.  Please realize that I'm not trying to be judgemental, I only want to help the OP fix what ever problem, whether real or percieved, she has instead of switching to the far more expensive method of formula.

Charissa - posted on 07/09/2009

Emilie - you're right. This was neither the right time or place to argue this point. It is a highly emotional issue for me and I got carried away.



Samantha - I apologize. Good luck on your choice! When you do what you feel is right for you and your baby, you will always win.

. - posted on 07/09/2009

I would have loved to breastfeed but unfortunantley was unable to due to severly inverted nipples.



I use Nutricia brand of formula and they also do sterilizing tablets. Put one sterilizign tablet to two litres of boiling litres. Once it cooled down I would add the bottles, teates etc. The sterilizer tablets I use last for 24 hours.

Nadya - posted on 07/09/2009

and oh yes! try not to over sterilizing and refrain form using a sterilizing solution. Your baby can take up to 1.5L of solution within their first year and it does not sound good.

I use a microwave sterilizer or boil the bottles. Wash and rinse before you do so.

But over-sterilizing cheats your baby out of building up a defense against germs, so don't sterilize everything they touch and as they get older, avoid getting to worked up about a bottle being touched by you or your husband after being sterilized or a dummy that was on the floor, etc. they need to build up a good defense and as long as it is in your own home, don't panic too much.

Nadya - posted on 07/09/2009

I have had 2 midwives, 2 doulas and a doctor. Here is what is working for us:

The can says you can store it in the firdge. Don't. Research shows that within 20 minutes bacteria has doubled and the milk basically starts eating itself. Our baby was spitting up a lot and although with bottle feeding you never get rid of this completely, by mixing the milk with the water right before feeding, you lessen it SO much.

Water needs to be boiled for safety reasons, but use it cooled water at room temperature. We have been giving our baby room temp bottles for 3 months now with no problem. I do however heat the bottle a little in the mornings when it is really very cold (it is winter here by us in SA).

Never add formula to boiled water as you basically cook the formula and this is not good at all.

Discard any formula an hour after your baby has drunk from it as baby adds their own germs to the bottle.

Do what feels right for you and you should be able to see the effects on baby anyway. I have done a lot of questioning and researching and I have found what works for us.

Emilie - posted on 07/09/2009

Firstly... if people want to start arguing about the pro's and con's of breast feeding, do it somewhere else. Samatha started her thread for advise not to read you two swabbling like kids.



Samatha - When I switched from breast to bottle the Health visitors were totally usless. No one HV have me the same advise and they all say do what's best for you. So I chose to sterilise my bottles, boil some water and leave to cool about 10 mins, then put the water into the sterilised bottles, teats on, lids on, and then I left them on the side of the counter for when I needed them. When I needed one I just added the formula as required, shook and fed. The formula always dissolved, my daughter was very happy. Job done. My daughter won't take warm milk as she's been used to room temperature.

I think if you've been doing room temp then stick to that, as you're baby will be used to it. If you want to change fine, but give your baby a couple of days to adjust (she might take less until she gets used to it).

Everyone is different and you just have to find what suits you. I couldn't be bothered with all the warming up and testing and making my daughter wait for her food because it was too hot etc etc. so I went for room temp, and room temp is SO much easier when you are out and about because you don't have to worry about warming it up or carrying around hot water etc.



Good luck with your new baby. At the end of the day as long as you are happy with what you are doing then your baby will be happy too. And that's all that matters. Babies can sense your mood and copy it, so just relax, be happy and enjoy.

Charissa - posted on 07/08/2009

Quoting Tamara:

Quoting Charissa:

Why is it assumed that when a mother chooses to formula feed their child, there has to be a problem?????  It should be the mother's private choice whether to breastfeed or formula feed their child and nobody has a right to pressure her to do one or the other.

I chose to stop breastfeeding my first child within the first month because I did not feel comfortable with it.  I, however, breastfed my 2nd child until she was 7 months old.  It was my choice on both occassions and I would've resented anybody who judged on either of my choices.

Please don't misconstrue my words.  While it may not be a problem, per say, it may very well be a problem as percieved by the OP.  In either case, more than likely it is something that can be fixed.  From a purely practical standpoint, breastfeeding is, very simply, cheaper than formula feeding in addition the multiple health benefits to mother and child that are not given with formula feeding.

 

I'm very sorry that you did not feel comfortable participating in natural act with your child.  Please understand, I do not judge people who are working only with the knowledge they have or have an actual medical reason to use formula.  I reserve that for people who have the information but choose not to breastfeed because of some misguided sense of vanity, etc.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION,  Tamara, I was very comfortable with my decision not to breastfeed my first child and he and I have the most wonderful and loving relationship with him today.  AND IT WAS NOT OUT OF VANITY that I stopped breastfeeding my first child.  I am seriously offended that you have judged my decision without any knowledge of my situation.  I may not have had a "MEDICAL" reason to stop breastfeeding my child but it was a very personal reason and YOU have no right to judge that.  AND, in case you didn't read my entire response, I did breastfeed my 2nd child and that was also A PERSONAL DECISION.  No mother should ever, ever be pressured to breastfeed their child.

Tamara - posted on 07/08/2009

Quoting Charissa:

Why is it assumed that when a mother chooses to formula feed their child, there has to be a problem?????  It should be the mother's private choice whether to breastfeed or formula feed their child and nobody has a right to pressure her to do one or the other.

I chose to stop breastfeeding my first child within the first month because I did not feel comfortable with it.  I, however, breastfed my 2nd child until she was 7 months old.  It was my choice on both occassions and I would've resented anybody who judged on either of my choices.

Please don't misconstrue my words.  While it may not be a problem, per say, it may very well be a problem as percieved by the OP.  In either case, more than likely it is something that can be fixed.  From a purely practical standpoint, breastfeeding is, very simply, cheaper than formula feeding in addition the multiple health benefits to mother and child that are not given with formula feeding.

I'm very sorry that you did not feel comfortable participating in natural act with your child.  Please understand, I do not judge people who are working only with the knowledge they have or have an actual medical reason to use formula.  I reserve that for people who have the information but choose not to breastfeed because of some misguided sense of vanity, etc.

Charissa - posted on 07/08/2009

Quoting Tamara:

Quoting Jean:

Quoting Tamara:

Can I ask why breastfeeding didn't work for you? (Not trying to take your thread OT, just wondering if we can't find a solution that won't require you to use formula. :) )

There is nothing wrong with using formula to feed your baby.

I starting using formula at 3 months after my breastmilk began to dry up.

I used to keep a jug (kettle) full with pre boiled water (its recommended to pre boil water until at least 6 months. Then I follow the instructions from the formula tin.

Mine says to full the bottle to the desired amount, then add one scoop to every 50mls. My son gets any where between 200-250mls (around 8 ounces)

By no means am I condemning formula usage when its medically necessary.  I was a formula fed baby by medical necessity.  My mother had literally no milk after a hospital acquired infection and whatever was used to treat it.  However, switching to formula after only 2 weeks w/no sign of supply problems that were mentioned by the OP means that there is a problem but it is a fixable problem.

Why is it assumed that when a mother chooses to formula feed their child, there has to be a problem?????  It should be the mother's private choice whether to breastfeed or formula feed their child and nobody has a right to pressure her to do one or the other.

I chose to stop breastfeeding my first child within the first month because I did not feel comfortable with it.  I, however, breastfed my 2nd child until she was 7 months old.  It was my choice on both occassions and I would've resented anybody who judged on either of my choices.

Charissa - posted on 07/08/2009

We used to just boil water and kept it in a pitcher in our fridge. We would use that as needed...To heat the bottle, we would just place it in a bowl of really warm water for about 5 minutes.

Tamara - posted on 07/08/2009

Quoting Jean:

Quoting Tamara:

Can I ask why breastfeeding didn't work for you? (Not trying to take your thread OT, just wondering if we can't find a solution that won't require you to use formula. :) )

There is nothing wrong with using formula to feed your baby.

I starting using formula at 3 months after my breastmilk began to dry up.

I used to keep a jug (kettle) full with pre boiled water (its recommended to pre boil water until at least 6 months. Then I follow the instructions from the formula tin.

Mine says to full the bottle to the desired amount, then add one scoop to every 50mls. My son gets any where between 200-250mls (around 8 ounces)

By no means am I condemning formula usage when its medically necessary.  I was a formula fed baby by medical necessity.  My mother had literally no milk after a hospital acquired infection and whatever was used to treat it.  However, switching to formula after only 2 weeks w/no sign of supply problems that were mentioned by the OP means that there is a problem but it is a fixable problem.

Kellie - posted on 07/08/2009

What i was told was never to make up bottles with hot boiling water then add formula..as this deteriorates /kills the nutrients/vitamins in the formula..so just add formula to warm room temp water that has been boiled or distilled water..

Suzanne - posted on 07/08/2009

I use a formula pitcher and make the bottles ahead of time and keep them in the refrigerator to keep them fresh. We have a bottle warmer and use that to warm up the bottle. Warm milk has some benefits, it helps with gas and eases their stomach. It also soothes them to sleep. I don't heat it up to boiling just to the point that it is warm and the baby will take it.

Kathleen - posted on 07/07/2009

either way is fine***

Kathleen - posted on 07/07/2009

i think either was is fine. to begin with i put my sons bottle in a cup of hot water and just kept cheaking it until it was the right temp. but as he got older i found that is was easier and faster to just add some boiled water to the already cooled boiled water and then add the powder. it think both ways are good ways of preparing bottles. you just have to do whatever suits you best and stick with it because you are going to have allot of people telling you different ways to do things!

Karen - posted on 07/07/2009

my kids are older but I had to bottle feed I used the mix and set it at room temp. but dont mix too many bottles at once. should not leave out at room temp longer than 12 hours. if you have to put in fridge then heat in microwave but be sure to test temp first.

Amanda - posted on 07/07/2009

I would boil the water and put it in the sterilized bottles until cooled. It depends on the formula you are using whether or not you mix it in when the water is warm or cooled as the one I used for my daughter would go gluggy and have lumps if the water was warm. Read the directions on the formula and follow those. If your bub likes it warm then use a warmer or place the bottle in a container of hot water until it is the right temp - don't use the microwave as it does heat unevenly and you must shake the bottle well to ensure their are not hot and cold bits - just easier to do it the old fashioned way!

As for the b/feeding or formula feeding - do what works for you and your bub - I tried to feed my daughter but managed to starve her for 3 weeks so she kept losing weight and went from 8lb 10oz (3935 grams) to just under 3500 grams at 3 weeks. Poor thing was being starved so I could please others who pushed saying 'breast is best' - so long as your bub is healthy and thriving that is all that matters. PS My daughter is now 22 mths old, 14.5kgs and healthy and happy after being formula fed until 11 mths!

Samantha - posted on 07/07/2009

I pre boil my water in an electric kettle and when she needs a bottle I heat it up a little just so it is warm enough for her and then I put in the milk powder. She was on Enfamil and now she is on Enfapro. Basically as long as you have pre boiled water it really doesn't matter if you serve it warm or at room temperature. Some children like it warm and some like it colder. I wasn't advised about the milk powder having bacteria in it so now that kind of worries me lol.

Catherine - posted on 07/07/2009

I know that this isn't part of your question, but if there is any possibility of you breastfeeding, please do so. It took me six weeks to get it right, but we finally did and there's nothing better I could have done. If you can't get your baby to latch then please pump and bottle feed him the breast milk. If you aren't making any milk, that's another story, but do anything and everything you can to give your baby a healthy start.

Sarahan - posted on 07/07/2009

the safest way is to sterilize the bottles after throroughly washing the bottle and taking apart the teat etc with a bottle brush to remove any milk particles. Then Boil the water put the correct amount in the bottles and leave to cool. When you are ready to feed add the correct amount of formula shake and feed. You can put the milk into warm water to heat through especially when baby is so tiny but generally room temp is fine. Do not microwave a bottle of milk as it dissociates the milk proteins. The tins of formula once opened whould be used within 4 weeks. Its also crucial you throroughly wash your hands prior to making a up bottles.This Information is directly from the world health organisation and my paediatrics textbook and so the advise I give to all my patients.

Anne - posted on 07/07/2009

Hi,

My son is 7 months old and i tried breastfeeding for 5 weeks but he wasn't happy on the boob. I expressed it til he was 13 weeks but then had to go on formula as i dried up. We make ours up but boiling the kettle, leave it to cool for a while before putting it into the bottle, then i leave the bottles to cool until i need them, When Freddie wants his bottle i put it into the microwave for 30 seconds then give it a shake and then add the powder and shake again, test on your arm before giving. I used to give Freddie his milk at room temp as was told it was fine, but i found that when i warmed it slightly he took it better. What ever he doesn't take i keep in the fridge for 24hours and i only ever reheat the made up milk the once.

Hayley - posted on 07/07/2009

just boil the kettle an add the powder straight away thats what i did shake it and make sure the powder has dissolved and leave it to cool naturally or put it in a jug of cold water ignore the professionals as they can confuse every1

Elizabeth - posted on 07/07/2009

Be sure you follow the instructions on the formula can. I've never heard of having to heat the water to a certain temp to kill bacteria. Formula isn't sterile like breastmilk is, but I think that is a bit unnecessary. My son never cared if his formula was cold, room temperature, or warm. I would just put room temperature water in the bottle, put the appropriate number of scoops in, shake and give it to him. I made his bottles as needed. Formula can only be out of the fridge for a max of 2 hours I think. If a baby has started drinking the formula, then it's 1 hour and you have to throw the rest out. If you are pre-making formula, you can put bottles in the fridge up to 24 hours. I did use filtered water from a Brita pitcher, but my pediatrician said tap water is just as safe. The nursery water is a waste of money and unnecessary.

Ashley - posted on 07/07/2009

follow what your health visitor told you. i just had a baby sunday and leaving the hospital today. i was told to add the formula at 70 degrees because it can cause salmonella and enterobacter sakarzakii. its the world health organization who has said to do this. you can look up the guidlines for safe preparation handling of powdered infant formula.i would def listen to what they told you though

Emma - posted on 07/07/2009

bless you their no help are they you boil water in kettle then put in to bottle with the pouder then wait till it cools if you need to cool it quicker then stand the bottle in cold water then test in your wrist if it to hot it will hurt your wrist if it dosent hurt you then it should be correct temperature for baby



feel free to ask if you need any more advice

Emma

Anne-marie - posted on 07/07/2009

different rules and regulations , i make my feeds up for 24 hours leave them to cool put them in the fridge, then warm them up wen i need them. i boil kettle leave it to cool. once cooled i put the water in the bottles then put powder in them , my baby havingg 5oz feeds at the moment 6 times aday, put lid on bottle .give it a shake then i put them all in the fridge.



this is the method i have been using for the last 15 yrs, i will not change it. some countries sterilize their bottles etc for the baby some countries dont.

Amanda - posted on 07/07/2009

Hi Samantha, we just boiled the water in the kettle, filled the bottles to the amount need, as recommendedon the formula tin.we kept our bottles in the fridge until needed, but you can leave them out until needed, it's up to you. when we needed a bottle we warmed it in the microwave then just added the formula as recommended on the formula tin.

Hope this helps, i know how it is when my first was born, we had midwives tells one thing, nurses at the health centre telling us something different, the best adivse i can give is to take in the info given then go with the one that feels right to you, what your comfortable with.

Lydia - posted on 07/07/2009

I just filled the bottles with boiled water and left it at room temp adding the formula when she needed a bottle. As long as you arent keeping open tubs of powder for ridiculously long periods of time I wouldnt worry about it (besides a little bacteria is actually good - how else do you build up your immune system?)

. - posted on 07/07/2009

Quoting Tamara:

Can I ask why breastfeeding didn't work for you? (Not trying to take your thread OT, just wondering if we can't find a solution that won't require you to use formula. :) )

There is nothing wrong with using formula to feed your baby.

I starting using formula at 3 months after my breastmilk began to dry up.

I used to keep a jug (kettle) full with pre boiled water (its recommended to pre boil water until at least 6 months. Then I follow the instructions from the formula tin.

Mine says to full the bottle to the desired amount, then add one scoop to every 50mls. My son gets any where between 200-250mls (around 8 ounces)

Mel - posted on 07/06/2009

add the water then the formula (from what i remember mine has formula pre made) but it will say on the back of the tin, just heat it up a tad in the microwave and shake it up. boil the kettle in the morning and use it for the day. up to 2 weeks is 8 bottles per day, 2-4 weeks is 6 bottles. but it really doesnt matter how many bottles baby is having as long as they are gaining weight and having wet nappies

Samantha - posted on 07/06/2009

i wasn't making the milk to feed her, and she was feeding constantly for 5 hours a time beacuse she was always hungry, it worked with my first child just not this time.

Tamara - posted on 07/06/2009

Can I ask why breastfeeding didn't work for you? (Not trying to take your thread OT, just wondering if we can't find a solution that won't require you to use formula. :) )