Safe water to use for baby's formula? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Safe water to use for baby's formula?

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 January 2011 - 13:54

Any advise?

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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 17 January 2011 - 10:15
Wish I never had to give up breastfeeding (because of medication for all you breastfeeding judgmental BF-nazi's, yess I feel very guilty....:( ), you need to be a formula specialist to know all of this. I'm truly sorry you feel this way, Yasmine. Please don't feel guilty for one minute. Both your circumstances and your decisions are just that - yours. I am bowing out now. xx Please dont feel guilty i formula fed both my daughters as i am on medication, i had many of nurses even a doctor here in dubai who was very rude to me. Until they know your personal circumstances then they understand. People shouldnt judge you if they dont know you. Good luck with formula feeding. There should be formula support groups like breast feeding groups lol to explain and help people understand how to make and store formula etc. <em>edited by fairycakeyumm on 17/01/2011</em>
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EW GURU
Latest post on 17 January 2011 - 09:58
Wish I never had to give up breastfeeding (because of medication for all you breastfeeding judgmental BF-nazi's, yess I feel very guilty....:( ), you need to be a formula specialist to know all of this. I'm truly sorry you feel this way, Yasmine. Please don't feel guilty for one minute. Both your circumstances and your decisions are just that - yours. I am bowing out now. xx
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 January 2011 - 08:15
Actually the fact that Fairycake and I disagree (but both obviously care about this subject and have done our homework) illustrates my point pretty well - there's a distinct lack of quality information our there for FF mums so we need to read what we can and do what feels right to assuage the risk. Here endeth my sermon;)
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 22:31
Okay so hold on...this is getting complicated...we need to use 30 ml for "boiling" out the bacteria, than use boiled cooled water for the rest of the 180 ml and than we can store a whole batch in the fridge and than HEAT it up again as we need it? Wish I never had to give up breastfeeding (because of medication for all you breastfeeding judgmental BF-nazi's, yess I feel very guilty....:( ), you need to be a formula specialist to know all of this. just use cooled boiled water for all your formula. Boil a kettle leave for 10 min,pour say 8oz of water in then add formula then cool down straight away, then feed baby. FCM - cool boiled water does not kill the bacteria in formula (bacteria which can cause highly serious food poisoning) - the water must be over 70C. Hence all the discussion and to-ing and fro-ing. Also it IS ok to make up feeds in advance so long as the water used to make them is over 70C and the are cooled RAPIDLY and then stored in the coldest part of the fridge. This is in accordance with World Health Organisation info and I am sticking with them! Its not ok to make them in advance now as your cooling them and warming them up. The risk of infection will be lower if you give your baby fresh feeds. You should make them as u need them and to be given to baby straight away. Once formula milk is made up, there is a small risk of harmful bacteria developing in it when it is kept for later use. Storing made up formula milk may increase the chance of your baby becoming sick and therefore should be avoided. Remember, too, that temperatures in refrigerators are difficult to regulate, especially with the constant opening and closing of the doors, the storing of food items to the rafters, and that the temperature inside the refrigerator is different in its various parts. Mothers who need to prepare a feed for later use should keep just boiled water in a sealed flask and make up fresh formula when it is needed. The temperature of the feed should be tested and, if necessary, cooled by holding the bottle, with the cap covering the teat, under cold running water. Any milk your baby does not consume during a feeding must be thrown away. <em>edited by fairycakeyumm on 16/01/2011</em>
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 22:24
Okay so hold on...this is getting complicated...we need to use 30 ml for "boiling" out the bacteria, than use boiled cooled water for the rest of the 180 ml and than we can store a whole batch in the fridge and than HEAT it up again as we need it? Wish I never had to give up breastfeeding (because of medication for all you breastfeeding judgmental BF-nazi's, yess I feel very guilty....:( ), you need to be a formula specialist to know all of this. just use cooled boiled water for all your formula. Boil a kettle leave for 10 min,pour say 8oz of water in then add formula then cool down straight away, then feed baby. Well look at the guidelines for the UK u dont use the boiling water straight away... You use the water in less than 30 min is fine. FCM - cool boiled water does not kill the bacteria in formula (bacteria which can cause highly serious food poisoning) - the water must be over 70C. Hence all the discussion and to-ing and fro-ing. Also it IS ok to make up feeds in advance so long as the water used to make them is over 70C and the are cooled RAPIDLY and then stored in the coldest part of the fridge. This is in accordance with World Health Organisation info and I am sticking with them!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 22:18
Okay so hold on...this is getting complicated...we need to use 30 ml for "boiling" out the bacteria, than use boiled cooled water for the rest of the 180 ml and than we can store a whole batch in the fridge and than HEAT it up again as we need it? Wish I never had to give up breastfeeding (because of medication for all you breastfeeding judgmental BF-nazi's, yess I feel very guilty....:( ), you need to be a formula specialist to know all of this. Yasmine - honestly - please just read the Irish Government guidelines I posted below and all will become clear. X PS - has your LO stopped making loads of noise in the night? I seem to remember we had the same problem... <em>edited by frannie on 16/01/2011</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 22:18
Okay so hold on...this is getting complicated...we need to use 30 ml for "boiling" out the bacteria, than use boiled cooled water for the rest of the 180 ml and than we can store a whole batch in the fridge and than HEAT it up again as we need it? Wish I never had to give up breastfeeding (because of medication for all you breastfeeding judgmental BF-nazi's, yess I feel very guilty....:( ), you need to be a formula specialist to know all of this. just use cooled boiled water for all your formula. Boil a kettle leave for 10 min,pour say 8oz of water in then add formula then cool down straight away, then feed baby. FCM - cool boiled water does not kill the bacteria in formula (bacteria which can cause highly serious food poisoning) - the water must be over 70C. Hence all the discussion and to-ing and fro-ing. Also it IS ok to make up feeds in advance so long as the water used to make them is over 70C and the are cooled RAPIDLY and then stored in the coldest part of the fridge. This is in accordance with World Health Organisation info and I am sticking with them!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 21:57
Thanks Tallyho ;) Yes, its all very confusing. Since day 1 I've been boiling the water then letting it get to room temp then mixing it with the formula as I need it. No problems so far. Might have to read this thread again and take on some of the fantastic advice as I am all for improving anything that is going to be better for my little miss.
2239
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 21:54
Okay so hold on...this is getting complicated...we need to use 30 ml for "boiling" out the bacteria, than use boiled cooled water for the rest of the 180 ml and than we can store a whole batch in the fridge and than HEAT it up again as we need it? Wish I never had to give up breastfeeding (because of medication for all you breastfeeding judgmental BF-nazi's, yess I feel very guilty....:( ), you need to be a formula specialist to know all of this. just use cooled boiled water for all your formula. Boil a kettle leave for 10 min,pour say 8oz of water in then add formula then cool down straight away, then feed baby.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 21:51
Thanks for that info re preparing the formula, frannie ;) Daft question... but what is the old fashioned way that tallyho is referring to? Hi Shelly, I used to boil the water, make up the bottle, cool in cold water and give it to baby when it had cooled sufficiently...... I call that the old fashioned way. I only ever made up fresh milk and I would use the readymade cartons at night or if I was out during the day.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 21:45
Okay so hold on...this is getting complicated...we need to use 30 ml for "boiling" out the bacteria, than use boiled cooled water for the rest of the 180 ml and than we can store a whole batch in the fridge and than HEAT it up again as we need it? Wish I never had to give up breastfeeding (because of medication for all you breastfeeding judgmental BF-nazi's, yess I feel very guilty....:( ), you need to be a formula specialist to know all of this.
2239
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 21:24
They have Cow and Gate follow on cartons in Choitrams Safa Park. I've heard that they are made by the same company and therefore almost identical in composition. x my dd hated the ready made formulas they always look thicker, and they made her constipated ...she use to drink the cow n gate formula but not the cc ready milk. trial and error with all the formulas.
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 21:21
I am new to formula making as I've just started using it for night feeds. It says on the tin feeds must be used within an hour of being made - so is it OK to keep them in the fridge for a few hours? I must admit I've been hopelessly confused by the whole thing as I've had so many different instructions from so many different people! You can keep pre-mixed formula (as in bottles already made up earlier) in the fridge for 24 hours :) Much easier if you make up a big batch and you're set for the day - just grab them out as you need! Once heated and removed from fridge use within 1 hour. Years ago they use to tell u to make the bottles up and store them in the fridge..but now after more research they tell u to make it up as u need it....It takes u just as long to boil it and make it and cool it down as to warming it up in the night. (have a research on the nhs) The easiest thing to do is boil the kettle and put it in a flask in your babys bedroom and make it with that when needed and cool it in a bowl of water. Th
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 21:16
For both of my dd here i used Arwa water, boiled in a kettle leave for 10 min pour in say 8 oz of water then scoops of formula ..then cool down straight away in a bowl of cold water....10 min later they drink the formula. In the UK i done exa ct same thing but used tap water instead of Arwa water. May I know how long did you use boil water to make formula. My DS is nearly 11months now & would like to know is it ok to use it without boiling. edited by Sant on 16/01/2011 My dd hates cows milk even when i mix it with formula....so ive always used boiling water for the formula even now she is 18 months and has one bottle before bed and i still boil the kettle put the formula in and cool it down. Just as easy and it kills the germs in the formula.
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 21:00
That sounds far easier than having to make them up as you need them! It's OK with just the two feeds at night but I don't fancy it when every feed is formula. Thanks!
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EW GURU
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 20:06
I am new to formula making as I've just started using it for night feeds. It says on the tin feeds must be used within an hour of being made - so is it OK to keep them in the fridge for a few hours? I must admit I've been hopelessly confused by the whole thing as I've had so many different instructions from so many different people! You can keep pre-mixed formula (as in bottles already made up earlier) in the fridge for 24 hours :) Much easier if you make up a big batch and you're set for the day - just grab them out as you need! Once heated and removed from fridge use within 1 hour.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 19:52
They have Cow and Gate follow on cartons in Choitrams Safa Park. I've heard that they are made by the same company and therefore almost identical in composition. x
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 18:34
I haven't been able to find Aptamil follow-on milk in cartons or I'd have been down that route from the get-go :D. Part of the reason I've only started formula now is that I'm bone idle!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 18:22
Thanks for that info re preparing the formula, frannie ;) Daft question... but what is the old fashioned way that tallyho is referring to? I'm not sure actually - maybe to used cool boiled water? Certainly I know lots of people who do this with no problems - as I said in one of my older posts the problem is a rare one but given that it can be very serious I know what I'd rather do. <em>edited by frannie on 16/01/2011</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 18:21
Hi again DC In my opinion it's fine to do it they way I listed below. But I really don't like to say that this is the way someone SHOULD do it as it's a method I have come up with based on what I have read. Sadly there is very little concrete advice out there. This is why I am saying - formula is definitely not sterile so ladies get out there and read what you can on the subject (as I said before mumsnet is ace on the subject) and make your choices from there. For night feeds I highly recommend the cartons anyway - seems that most babies will take them at room temp which removes another layer of faff in the darkest hours - no warming! :)
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 17:49
I am new to formula making as I've just started using it for night feeds. It says on the tin feeds must be used within an hour of being made - so is it OK to keep them in the fridge for a few hours? I must admit I've been hopelessly confused by the whole thing as I've had so many different instructions from so many different people!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 17:49
Thanks for that info re preparing the formula, frannie ;) Daft question... but what is the old fashioned way that tallyho is referring to?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 17:43
Pls ignore useless grammar. Sleep depro.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 17:41
DC2DXB If you read the guidance notes I posted you will see that there is a safe way to pre prepare formula (if you are careful). This is what I do (for daytime feeds): 1. Boil water, allow to cool for about 10/15 mins 2. Make up formula (usually do two bottle at a time) with piping hot water (to kill bacteria) 3. IMMEDIATELY plunge bottles into ICY cold water so they cool rapidly (thus not allowing any remaining bacteria to multiply 4. Store bottles at the bottom of the fridge at the back 5. Warm to room temp in a bottle warmer when required, use within 30 mins Doing two bottles at a time means I always have some available when my son needs to feed but also means that they are not hanging around for too long IYSWIM. What I was trying to say to Pav (PAV - I hope not too grumpily - forgive me - a combo of baby brain and tiredness) was that as a) the formula companies don't really want you to know about this and b)governments/health authorities are so keen on the breast is best message that they are reluctant to offer formula guidelines (certainly this is the case in the UK). So YOU as a mother need to get informed and make your decision. I have read and read and come up with own interpretation and I think WickedAngel has done the same. Tally ho thinks the old way is best. Each are equally valid viewpoint if you have done your homework and made an informed decision. Do I sound like a boring preachy type?! I hope not. x
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EW GURU
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 17:04
so, do any experienced moms use bottle warmers that are on all the time and "ready when needed" - or does each formula feed require a boil, mix, cool down and thats that? I think the old fashioned way is best. IMO
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 16:10
Awesome, thanks Frannie! Definitely worth a try! I used them when In Oz recently and they were absolutely fantastic and very easy. Much better for traveling too! ;) I would definitely be buying bulk :D
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 16:10
this sounds like an absolute palaver to me - when he wants to be fed, he can't wait! can i microwave the 1oz of water? and can i use boiled tap water? being v brief as bubs is in one arm! ;o) Pav - read as much as you can on the subject and then make a decision how to proceed. I've told lots of people about this and many have continued as before. We all have our own take on "risk" I suppose - but best to be informed.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 16:09
will do frannie - migraine today so massive brain fog!! thank you!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 16:09
Does anyone know if you can get S26 Gold in the ready made cartons? Choitrams are very good at getting hold of some of the more unusual types of formula and will do a discount if you buy in bulk.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 16:08
Does anyone know if you can get S26 Gold in the ready made cartons? Ask one of the supermarkets to ship it in for you, Spinneys used to do this for me Really? Ok, I'll ask... fingers crossed!! Thanks! ;)
 
 

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