Making bottle feeds in advance

[Madabouthols]

Hi ladies,

I know there are a few beaut.ies who have had babies recently and I'm hoping ye can help me out!

I'm a first time mum myself, my little boy is 4weeks tomorrow (where does the time go!) so far he has been a little angel and the only thing stressing me out is making his bottles! Would you believe!

The recommendation is to make each bottle up fresh as needed by boiling the water, leaving to cool for 30 mins before adding formula. This is all well and good but who has time for this when the little fella is screaming to be fed! My hubbie was off for the first 3 weeks so we were able to manage this during the day and used the pre made cartons at night, however with him back at work I need to be able to have feeds made in advance!

I have had some many different opinions on how to do this that my head is spinning, and I was hoping some new mummy's could let me know what they are doing?

Would really love to hear from you all.

Mads

[Lou]

Hi Mads

Congratulations on the birth of your baby!

My son is ten months and he's never had a heated bottle. This has raised a few eyebrows but he is no worse off as a result. He was a week in ICU from the time he was born and so was tube fed for a while. When they did start feeding him it was from the pre-made bottles, which weren't heated.
From the beginning we would boil fresh water, leave it to cool and then fill bottles. So when you need to give a feed, all you have to do is put in the formula. We still do the same now. And the cartons are great to have as well, especially when you're out.

It's tough being a new Mum, so do whatever feels best to you - don't be worrying about what other people think! And enjoy your baby!

[Madabouthols]

Thanks Lou,

I have been doing the bottles the way you are, however as the nurses do not recommend doing them this way anymore I have been racked with guilt every time I give him a bottle ha ha!

Think I'll just stick with it as I have to say it is the most convenient for us, and I think I'm upsetting him more by changing every few days!

I agreesit is hard to know what is best!

Thanks again,
Mads!

[ladyelvis]

Hi Mads I'm a new mammy too and I was in your exact position a few weeks ago! Totally confused! The PHN gave me a leaflet from I think the Dept of health on how to make up bottles, which said you can make the feeds as Lou describes If you're 'on the go'-which is all the time! That's what I've been doing too, I think its the most convenient way. The formula box says to make each feed fresh and ideally I would, but it's practically impossible especially at night. I think the formula manufacturers have to state this as 'best practice'. But I'm happy to follow the department of health guidelines. Good luck with your new little person!

[tina]

Hey girls, just wanted to say that I've never followed the latest recommendations either. I didn't start bottle feeding until my daughter was 5 months and, to be honest, it was only a month after I'd started giving her bottles that I realised I should have probably read up on how to make the bottles. Anyway, I always boil the kettle in the morning and then use that water throughout the day to make bottles. If we go out, I make a bottle and take it with me. I even make her morning bottle in the evening, take it to the bedroom with me and then give it to her in the morning. She's just fine. I also stopped sterilising bottles when she was 6 months. Like with everything, I think you just need to do what you feel is the best thing to do for your child and ignore everyone else. Enjoy your little ones. Mine is turning one in 11 days!! Time flies

[boredmum]

hey Girls

Whatever you feel most comfortable and whatever works is best. I have 2 kids and with Both i used to make up a batch of bottles every night which would do me till tea time the next evening, I would always have a nice warm fresh one for bed time,

To be honest the health Professionals keep changing their minds, There are almost 8 years between my kids and the difference is unreal, When my 1st was born we were not allowed soothers in the hospital as it was frowned upon, however when my youngest was born, they encouraged soothers as they seem to think there was evidence to suggest it help prevent Cot death, Also the way in which my babies were swaddled (frowned upon now) and the way you put them to sleep in their moses basket is different.. So just do what u feel best, hope this helps

boredmum