Formula - Does it need to be made up fresh for each feed?

[J3NKK]

I was originally advised that making a number of bottles up for the day is fine.  I've recently been advised that I should be making them up fresh for every feed.  I'm now confused!!  Can anyone shed any light on this for me??

[Zoey]

You could buy ready to feed!  That's all I ever used... so that's the only advice I can give.  Good Luck!

I think it says what to do on the container - I looked up directions for Similac or one of those online and it says use refrigerated,  pre made formula within 24h.  Throw away any formula left over from a feeding.  http://welcomeaddition.com/feedingbaby/babyfeedingfaq.aspx  "As a general rule, it is safe to refrigerate prepared formula in a sealed container for up to 24 hours. Some prepared formulas can be refrigerated for even longer than 24 hours if stated on the product label. Always check the specific product label to determine storage conditions and time. Do not exceed the recommended storage times."

[emmas]

I know in the UK the guidance is make each bottle as you need it - but I found it really impractical with a mummy brain! so I sterlise the bottles and fill each with cooled bolied water and just put the powder in when I use the bottle.  I think the rules only changed about a year ago.

[jennyh]

the rules only changed recently!
i always sterilesed enough for 24 hours and refrigerated after cooling in cold water.

[**Clare**]

I make them as we go! I leave them in the sterilizer and make them at feed times.  When I go out I take a flask of warm boiled water and a container I bought for holding milk powder with me and the bottles obviously! I also did this for the night feeds, saves coming downstairs to make up feeds!!

[Lolly]

The guidelines vary depending on where you live - same as with sterilising and water for bottles! In the UK the guidelines are to make feeds when needed with freshly boiled water (left for about 15 mins to cool to about 70 degrees) then quickly cooled to feeding temp.

We did do this for a long time and kept water in a flask to make the bottle fresh, then refilled the flask for next time. Now we put the freshly bolied water into sterilised bottles and keep them in the fridge and add the formula powder when we need to (our formula needs to be added to cold water). I think a lot of people do it this way, and also keep the water ready at room temp so you can add powder but don't need to warm the bottles. Equally lots of people make up feeds for the day and keep them in the fridge with no problems. I think you really need to do what you are comfortable with and what suits your lifestyle - hot water bottles in the middle of the night is a real pain .

HTH!
Laura

[em_here]

I know in the UK the guidance is make each bottle as you need it - but I found it really impractical with a mummy brain! so I sterlise the bottles and fill each with cooled bolied water and just put the powder in when I use the bottle.  I think the rules only changed about a year ago.

I did this too I remember the rules changing, they always do it to throw us off methinks

[Deb_in_oz]

in australia it is considered fine to make up a day's worth at a time in 1 big sterilized jug.  when liv and i stayed at a residential clinic this was how it was done and they are professional midwives etc. (it was also an easy way for them to keep track of how much our lo were eating in 24 hrs)