Me again - bottle bag with ice pack? SORRY!

**cheeky_biscuit** · 27-02-2012, 05:06pm

The thing I'm curious about with the new guidelines is what enzymes etc are left after scalding the powder- is the label claim for powder made up with >70' water or for the dry powder.
And what % of powder is bought contaminated? I appreciate a lot of people contaminate it during use, but when you open it - surely there should be manufacturing controls to stop contamination as not usig 70'c water should be an anticipated misuse (IMO).

**Peony** · 27-02-2012, 07:31pm

I made up bottles of water and left them on the side until I needed and then added powder. If you are after a small cool bag though could I recommend the lunch bag style. You could easily fit a bottle and ice pack in one.

**Gojira** · 27-02-2012, 07:32pm

I boiled the kettle and bunged the water in bottles in the fridge, and added formula when needed. I did a fresh batch every evening.

**WoollyNewty** · 27-02-2012, 09:36pm

Yes as Skerry says the guidelines have changed since most of 'us' had babies.

So what I did (and many others) i.e. taking the powder out in dispensers and mixing it with room temp water is now 'not officially recommended'

Basically we steralise the bottles, we boil the water then cool it but but but....the actual powder itself is not sterile and COULD have potentially dangerous bacteria in it. As CB says these could also 'get in there' in the home as well.

So if you mix the powder with HOT HOT water it will kill these potential bugs BUT it is a huge pain in the arse in many people's opinion so they don't do it. Plus as CB says I think it probably messes with the milk formulation.

This article explains it well: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/20...icineandhealth

Also I think that article is interesting because it shows how the risk was greatest in premature babies and babies under 4 weeks.

My HV told me that although they hadn't changed the official guidelines when I had Alex they were starting to recommend that for the first 4 weeks you used the sterile 'premade' formula cartons and then moved on to powdered milks.

As parents we make judgements and decisions every day and we decide where the risk lies for us - a classic one on this is where babies sleep. The recommendations say one thing but reality for many parents is something else.

**McMummy** · 27-02-2012, 11:05pm

So, if mixing powder with cooled boiled water is a risk as the water isn't hot enough to kill any germs in the powder.... AND making the feeds up completely in advance and storing in the fridge (for a max. of 24hrs) is also a no-no...... Which is worst? Which is the bigger risk?

Unsterile milk powder with cool water... Or Unsterile powder, mixed with boiling/v hot water *thus killing any powder bugs* but refridgerated for a few hours where germs/bacteria may grow.

Realistically that is the options for Formula Feeding unless you are really going to make each & every feed up freshly and use immediately, no matter what time of day it is.

Sorry for the hi-jack!

**Clementine** · 27-02-2012, 11:10pm

Well - I know it's against the grain but we decided on pre-made cartons. I know it's more of an expense but it's only for 6 months (that's how I've rationalised it anyway)!

I was actually worrying constantly about whether to make all the bottles up, or just one, or with cold water etc etc, it was doing my head in.

**Chickenlips** · 27-02-2012, 11:20pm

Originally Posted by Clementine

Well - I know it's against the grain but we decided on pre-made cartons. I know it's more of an expense but it's only for 6 months (that's how I've rationalised it anyway)!

I was actually worrying constantly about whether to make all the bottles up, or just one, or with cold water etc etc, it was doing my head in.

Us too. If you don't mind paying the bit extra, i would definitely reccomend the ready made stuff - you can't recreate the sterile environment it has been made in. For me it's been peace of mind and also seems to help with constipation.

**Faith** · 28-02-2012, 09:41am

Technically, I believe you're supposed to add the powder to boiling water as the powder isn't sterile, so doing that way kills bugs in the powder.

I think on occasion I used to boil water just before we went, add powder straight away, and by the time it had cooled to the right temp we were ready for a feed :lol;

Honestly I don't think there's any correct way to do it. I had a big problem with "sterilising" as the minute you take of the lid it's no longer sterile

. And I love that people sterilise bottles and food implements in bleach, then get all worked up about babies coming into contact with domestic bleach

**S-J** · 28-02-2012, 09:50am

But if you add the powder to boiling water, and your baby is screaming for a feed....how long before you can give the baby the feed? ie baby cant have boiling water. Listening to a baby screaming for a feed = not fun!

Just curious?

**redhed** · 28-02-2012, 09:57am

Originally Posted by Faith

Honestly I don't think there's any correct way to do it.

ITA. And you have to look at what else goes in their little mouths. You can't sterilise the whole world for them.

I think you also have to factor in how long you are going to leave it knocking about, refrigerated or otherwise. If the powder is contaminated, still it will only be a tiny %. So if you make it up and use it immediately, the bacteria don't have time to reproduce in huge numbers. If you make it up and use it later in the day, that's a whole other thing and I'd say that's where the risk comes in. So personally once I'd got past the first 6 weeks or so, I'd only be adding the powder to boiling water if I was planning to carry the made-up bottle about. And once I'd added the water, I'd be cooling it down as rapidly as possible for storage.