Formula preparation thread

[youshi]

Ok since this board is so slow, I though I would throw out a question to see if we can pick up any ideas from each other.

How do you prepare your formula? If powdered do you make a batch up and use it or do it bottle by bottle?

Last pregnancy, I mixed up a container full and kept it in the fridge. I warmed every bottle in the bottle warmer. This was not convenient when you baby is crying in the middle of the night.

This time I am filling the bottles with water and keeping them out at room temperature. When I need one, I just throw in the powder and shake. I use it right away at room temperature. So much easier for me. I like the powder not only because it is cheaper but the can stuff is darker and stains.

[Lana]

I didn't use powder formula with my first, but started to this time because it's cheaper than the ready-made. I make several bottles and leave them in the fridge. My daughter hardly ever wakes up crying...she normally grunts and stirs for a good 15-20 minutes before she is actually awake, so I take my cue and go fill a coffee mug about half-way with water and then stick it in the microwave for a minute. Then I stick the mug in the sink and let the bottle float in it for a few minutes to warm it. I use that time to go either change the baby or clean up around the kitchen for a quick few minutes or get something else done real fast. We bought a water purifier pitcher that we keep filled up in our fridge and that is the water we use for the bottles.

[Liz-at-home]

I'm using the ready-to-feed variety now but when I used powder, I would always make large batches. I would mix up a day's worth in a pitcher then pour the formula into bottles and put the bottles in the fridge. On vacation I generally made the bottles one at a time.

I admit, to warm the bottles I always use the microwave, shaking thoroughly to make sure there are no hot spots. I know using a microwave is often frowned upon but I've never had a problem, perhaps because I make the formula tepid rather than really warm.

[MaryB23]

This time I am filling the bottles with water and keeping them out at room temperature. When I need one, I just throw in the powder and shake. I use it right away at room temperature. So much easier for me. I like the powder not only because it is cheaper but the can stuff is darker and stains.

This is how we do it, too. It works great for when you are out and about as well. We just fill the bottles with the water we'll need and we use the Rubbermaid salt and pepper shakers for our pre-measured powder. It has worked really well for us. When the boys were still waking in the night, we'd have a bottle of water and some powder ready in their rooms. We have a 2 story house so we really didn't want to drag ourselves up and down the stairs in the middle of the night every night. :)

[Becks2]

I make bottles as needed. I use our tap warm tap water and bottled water if we go out of town (my MIL has well water). Then I just add the formula and shake it up. This has always worked for us. When we go out, I use a little tupperware container of premeasured formula and fill the bottle with very warm water so that it will still be a bit warm when it is consumed.

[PV'sTV]

I'm using the ready-to-feed variety now but when I used powder, I would always make large batches. I would mix up a day's worth in a pitcher then pour the formula into bottles and put the bottles in the fridge. On vacation I generally made the bottles one at a time.

I admit, to warm the bottles I always use the microwave, shaking thoroughly to make sure there are no hot spots. I know using a microwave is often frowned upon but I've never had a problem, perhaps because I make the formula tepid rather than really warm.

Me too! I used powder with DD#1, but DD#2 seems to eat better, spit up less, and have fewer tummy aches with the concentrate.

[youshi]

Me too! I used powder with DD#1, but DD#2 seems to eat better, spit up less, and have fewer tummy aches with the concentrate.


See I have some concentrate that you have to add the equal amount of water and I thought that my dd was fussy when we used that one over powder. Hmmmmmmmmmmm

[MonicaLeigh]

I make 64 oz. at a time and keep it in the fridge. During the day I just pour a bottle and warm it for 45 seconds in the microwave. At night I prepare one before bed in case he gets up. I also do the microwave because I know exactly how long to do it for.

I honestly think the "no microwave" rule is for stupid people that would pull it out and not shake it before feeding. JMO

[Lil'SingingMama]

We are supplementing with formula so I never know how much Savannah is going to drink (so I don't premix it ahead of time for that reason). What I do is just put tap water in the bottle and then add the powder. When we go out I bring a bottle of tap water and the can of formula. I don't know why I never thought of putting premeasured formula in a smaller container, but that is a great idea~ I hate lugging around a big can!

[youshi]

They sell those specialty formula containers that have three sections that you can put a premeasured amount in and then just turn the top to the section and shake out one section at a time for your bottles. I love that thing. They run 3 bucks.

[jf mom]

I make room temp bottles one at a time. I keep a container of water on the counter and use the powdered formula. Since my son is still waking up for a night feed, I leave a bottle and one of those travel formula containers with powder in it in his room at night.

The only time I've warmed his bottles is if I stored one in the fridge because he wasn't ready for it or if he was sick and a warmer bottle might encourage him to eat. I do it in the microwave. I agree with whoever said that they thought the "no microwave" rule was CYA against people who would put it in there for too long and then not shake it up or test it. JMO too.

[3xMama]

We make bottles as we need them. :)

[Melinda_P]

We make a 64 oz batch at a time and then we heat in the microwave during the day (I know how long to keep it in and I also shake it up. Glad to hear I am not the only one who microwaves!) Since we have a two story house, we have a bottle warmer in the nursery. When dd wakes up, I put the bottle that is premade and sitting in the warmers cooler, and add it to the warmer. By the time I am done changing her diaper, the bottle is ready right next to the glider rocker!