Baby milk formula

[Smowball]

Was just wondering - have things changed in how you store made up bottles since my youngest was born? My son,gf and baby are staying with me, and she makes up the bottles in the morning and just leaves them on the sidein the kitchen, and not in the fridge. Then when baby wants feeding she just takes one of the bottles and warms it up in a jug of hot water. I always kept the bottles in the fridge till they were needed, as I thought it wasnt good to keep them out getting warm. Am wrong?

[Graham-W]

Sweet milky liquids are an ideal growing medium for bacteria. Current thinking is to make fresh for each feed.

From the SMA website:

With my last baby I used to make up 6 feeds at a time. What has changed?

In line with the latest guidelines from the Department of Health, (November 2005), we recommend preparing each feed, in individual bottles, as required.
It is important to follow good hygiene practices when making up infant formula and you should always prepare the milk in accordance with the instructions on the specific pack of infant formula.


Once I have made up a feed, how long have I got before I have to use it?

A freshly made feed can be kept at room temperature for a maximum of 2 hours however, if your baby has started drinking from the bottle then it should be discarded after 1 hour.

[Graham-W]

Nice to see you back BTW. Everything OK with you?

[Smowball]

Thats what I thought. I havent't said anything, its just that baby has had a sicky bug recently and again has been sick a lot whilst here and I dont want to say anything to cause a row.

[Smowball]

Am working on it GW, but thanks for asking x

[albaqwerty]

I used to make up a batch in the morning, maybe 4 or 6 (it's a long time ago!)
When cooled, I'd pop them in the fridge and re-heat in bottle-warmer or jug of hot water.
Sometimes I left ONE out and would give that to baby if it was cool enough, of course at the next feed.

It's nice to see you Smow xx

[Smowball]

Morning alba - good to be back : )

I just don't want to say anything to cause a row, as son is a pretty volatile person. But have just gone and read the back of the formula box and Graham is spot on. And yes alba, I used to do exactly as you did, make them up and stick in fridge. I could just leave them to it? But the bottles she made up yesterday afternoon are still on the side and its going to be hot here! Yes they will just use them till they have all gone before making up more.

[anneasquith]

smo. you are in a difficult possition here, id say its unsafe to leave prepared bottles at room temperature for hours, could you have a talk with the mum about what she is doing ?

[Smowball]

God its very difficult - mum has only just turned 17 and my son is 18 but thinks he knows it all. I think I am going to just say I was wondering she doesnt put the bottles in the fridge and see what she says, then take it from there. Its not my baby but the bottles are already warm now : (

[ojread2]

You can buy little pots by avent that will hold the powder for up to 3 feeds - like one of these https://www.google.co...e73f&biw=1920&bih=955

She can then make up the bottles with just water and add powder as and when needed - it's much better than making up the bottles before hand

Would you be ale to broach the subject using one of these as an aid to help her perhaps?

Does she know that the powdered milk is not sterile? Perhaps you could ask her if she does in some way?

[China Doll]

Just put them in the fridge. If she asks why then point out the bit on the formula box that says to put in fridge and tell her you were just following the instructions. She might get the hint and then it doesn't need to be a big deal/talk or whatever.

[ummmm]

I agree with China.

[ojread2]

but you shouldn't make up bottles in advance

[woofgang]

if it makes sense in your kitchen (it would in mine) could you ask her to keep the made bottles in the fridge to save on work top space? Either that or as its summer say that you have seen the odd fly in the kitchen and you wouldn't want it doing what flies do on the babies stuff

[sherrardk]

Could you say you saw an article about it?

[Smowball]

I did as Vhina said and just put the remaining 2 in the fridge. When she asked where they were I told her and said that was what I had always done, but incase things had changed lets look at the box. So we did and she then saw the bit about cant be kept made up for more than 2 hours and said "Ohhh". So made the next lot and stuck them straight in the fridge. Mind you, son then came in and gave me the old proverbial " Its my daughter....... blah blah blah" but at least mum knows now.

[Smowball]

China, lol

[albaqwerty]

gosh Smow, how on earth did your son manage to live to get to that age if you did things wrong? lol
(jeepers, new dads!!)
Hope the mum explains to him.

[Smowball]

Alba - I love my son but (and I hate to say it) he is an absolute total and utter pain in the Yabbie!! You cannot tell him anything, he just gets gobby. Why his gf puts up with him I do not know!

[albaqwerty]

She puts up with him because he's a caring, sensitive and lovely well mannered young man!!
(see, it is your fault!) Mums just cannot win at all :-d


Must toddle for now, hope to 'see' you later xxxx

[Smowball]

Toodle pip , lol x